外文资料翻译NC and CNCThe History of NC and CNC DevelopmentNumerical Control (NC) is any machining process in which the operations are executed automatically in sequences as specified by the program that contains the information for the tool movements. The NC concept was proposed in the late 1940s by John Parsons of Traverse City, Michigan. Parsons recommended a method of automatic machine control that would guide a milling cutter to produce a thru-axis curve in order to generate smooth profiles on work pieces.In 1949, The U.S. Air Force awarded Parsons a contract to develop a new type of machine tool that would be able to speed up production methods. Parsons commissioned the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) to develop a practical implementation of his concept. Scientists and engineers at M.I.T. built a control system for a two-axis milling machine that used a perforated paper tape as the input media. In a short period of time, all major machine tool manufacturers were producing some machines with NC, but it was not until the late 1970s that computer-based NC became widely used. NC matured as an automation technology when inexpensive and powerful microprocessors replaced hard-wire logic-making computer-based NC systems.When Numerical Control is performed under computer supervision, it is called Computer Numerical Control (CNC). Computers are the control units of CNC machines, they are built in or linked to the machines via communications channels. When a programmer input some information in the program by tape and so on, the computer calculates all necessary data to get the job done.On the first Numerically Controlled (NC) machines were controlled by tape, andbecause of that, the NC systems were known as tape-controlled machines. They were able to control a single operation entered into the machine by punched or magnetic tape. There was no possibility of editing the program on the machine. To change the program, a new tape had to be made.Todays systems have computers to control data; they are called Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines. For both NC and CNC systems, work principles are the same. Only the way in which the execution is controlled is different. Normally, new systems are faster, more powerful, and more versatileThe Applications of NC/CNCSince its introduction, NC technology has found many applications, including lathes and turning Centers, milling machines and machining centers , punches , electrical discharg machines(EDM) Flame cutters,grinders,and inspection equipment. the most complex CNC machine tools are the turning center,shown in Fig.4-1(Amodern turning center with a ten-station turret that accepts quick-chang tools.Each tool can be positioned in Seconds with the press of a button).And the machine center shown in Fig.4-2(Vertical machining center,the tool magazine is on the machine.the control panel on the right can be swiveled by the operator)and Fig.4-3(horizontal machining center,equipped with an automatic tool changer .tool magazines can store 200 ctting tools.When preparing a progam for a particular operation ,the prommer must select all cutting data using recommendations for conventional machining .this includes proper Selection of cutting speeds,feedrate,tools and tool geometry,and so on.when the programmer has chosen all of the necessary information properly,the operator loads the programme into the machine and presses a button to start the cutting crycle .the CNC machine moves automatically from one maching operation to another , changing the cutting tols and applying the coolent.in a surprisingly short time ,the workpiece is Machined according to the highest quality stangards. But that is not all.no matter how big the work series is,all of the parts will be almost identical in size and surface finishing. At this time of advanced technology,with its high demands for surface finishing and tolerances of components in,for example ,aerospace,nuclear,and medical equipment manufacturing,only CNC machines provide successful results. Numerical control (NC) is a form of programmable automation in which the processing equipment is controlled by means of numbers, letters, and other symbols. The numbers, letters, and symbols are coded in an appropriate format to define a program of instructions for a particular workpart or job. The instructions are provided by either of the two binary coded decimal systems: the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) code, or the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII). ASCII-coded machine control units will not accept . EIA coded instructions and vice versa. Increasingly, however, control units are being made to accept instructions in either code. 121Automation operation by NC is readily adaptable to theoperation of all metalworking machines. Lathes, milling machines, drill presses, boring machines, grinding machines, turret punches, flame or wire-cutting and welding machines, and