NIMS Core CNC Milling Skills
1-2-3 block - ANS- A precise metal block with dimensions measuring 25.4 mm, 50.8 mm,
and 76.2 mm long, respectively. A ___ ___ can be used to touch off a tool during
calculation of tool length offset.
axes - ANS- An imaginary line that passes through the center of an object. ___ are used
to measure the distances of objects in the Cartesian coordinate system.
Cartesian coordinate system - ANS- A positioning system that uses three perpendicular
linear axes to locate positions in three-dimensional space. The ___ ___ ___'s axes are the
X axis, Y axis, and Z axis.
CNC - ANS- Computer numerical control. A sophisticated machining device that uses a
computer to carry out machining operations. ___ machine tools are much more
sophisticated than their manual counterparts.
computer numerical control - ANS- CNC. A sophisticated machining device that uses a
computer to carry out machining operations. ___ ___ ___ machine tools are much more
sophisticated than their manual counterparts.
contour - ANS- A curved surface or dimension that is cut into a workpiece. Contours can
be affected by the dimensions of the cutting tool if CRC is not used.
CRC - ANS- Cutter radius compensation. An offset that accounts for variations in tool
diameter. CRC is only necessary for tools that continuously cut along a horizontal plane.
cutter radius compensation - ANS- CRC. An offset that accounts for variations in tool
diameter. Cutter radius compensation is only necessary for tools that continuously cut
along a horizontal plane.
diameters - ANS- The distance from one edge of a circle to the opposite edge across its
widest point. Tool diameters must be accounted for with cutter radius compensation.
drills - ANS- A multi-point cutting tool used to make round holes. Drills are usually made
from high-speed steel and cemented carbides.
edge finder - ANS- A device used to locate the exact position of a part edge along the X
axis or Y axis. Edge finders determine workshift offsets.
, end mills - ANS- A milling cutter that cuts with its bottom and side edges. End mills can
be used to machine grooves, slots, circular slots, and pockets, among other features.
fixture - ANS- A customized device that is used to position and hold a workpiece in
place. Fixtures are normally used to machine flat surfaces parallel to the table on a CNC
mill.
flange - ANS- A ring or collar surrounding the toolholder. The flange allows the tool to be
grasped by the toolchanger.
G codes - ANS- A CNC programming code that determines the type of operation the
machine performs. G codes are one of a variety of CNC programming codes.
gage line - ANS- An imaginary line marking the toolholder along the bottom edge of the
machine spindle. The gage line on the toolholder taper matches up with the machine tool
spindle when fitted together.
home mode - ANS- The control mode that allows for the operator to find the location of
the home position after complete machine shutdown and restart. Home mode only
occurs on those machines that do not store the location of machine zero when powered
down.
home position - ANS- The location of machine zero on a CNC machine. Home position
must be referenced during machine warm up after a full shut down unless the machine
stores its home position even when shut down.
homing procedure - ANS- A method for locating a CNC machine's home position. The
homing procedure must be completed upon starting up a CNC machine that has been
fully shut down unless that machine has a reference return button.
horizontal mill - ANS- A mill in which the spindle is oriented horizontally. On a horizontal
mill, the Z axis describes left-to-right movement, the X axis describes towards-and-away
movement, and the Y axis describes up-and-down movement.
jog controls - ANS- Buttons on a CNC machine control unit that move the machine
components along the axes. The jog controls move machine components in steady
movements.
jog mode - ANS- The control mode that allows for the manual operation of steady axes
movement using the jog control buttons. Some machines have a combined handle/jog
mode.
machine control unit - ANS- MCU. A small, powerful computer that controls and operates
a CNC machine. Machine control units can be used to store offsets.
1-2-3 block - ANS- A precise metal block with dimensions measuring 25.4 mm, 50.8 mm,
and 76.2 mm long, respectively. A ___ ___ can be used to touch off a tool during
calculation of tool length offset.
axes - ANS- An imaginary line that passes through the center of an object. ___ are used
to measure the distances of objects in the Cartesian coordinate system.
Cartesian coordinate system - ANS- A positioning system that uses three perpendicular
linear axes to locate positions in three-dimensional space. The ___ ___ ___'s axes are the
X axis, Y axis, and Z axis.
CNC - ANS- Computer numerical control. A sophisticated machining device that uses a
computer to carry out machining operations. ___ machine tools are much more
sophisticated than their manual counterparts.
computer numerical control - ANS- CNC. A sophisticated machining device that uses a
computer to carry out machining operations. ___ ___ ___ machine tools are much more
sophisticated than their manual counterparts.
contour - ANS- A curved surface or dimension that is cut into a workpiece. Contours can
be affected by the dimensions of the cutting tool if CRC is not used.
CRC - ANS- Cutter radius compensation. An offset that accounts for variations in tool
diameter. CRC is only necessary for tools that continuously cut along a horizontal plane.
cutter radius compensation - ANS- CRC. An offset that accounts for variations in tool
diameter. Cutter radius compensation is only necessary for tools that continuously cut
along a horizontal plane.
diameters - ANS- The distance from one edge of a circle to the opposite edge across its
widest point. Tool diameters must be accounted for with cutter radius compensation.
drills - ANS- A multi-point cutting tool used to make round holes. Drills are usually made
from high-speed steel and cemented carbides.
edge finder - ANS- A device used to locate the exact position of a part edge along the X
axis or Y axis. Edge finders determine workshift offsets.
, end mills - ANS- A milling cutter that cuts with its bottom and side edges. End mills can
be used to machine grooves, slots, circular slots, and pockets, among other features.
fixture - ANS- A customized device that is used to position and hold a workpiece in
place. Fixtures are normally used to machine flat surfaces parallel to the table on a CNC
mill.
flange - ANS- A ring or collar surrounding the toolholder. The flange allows the tool to be
grasped by the toolchanger.
G codes - ANS- A CNC programming code that determines the type of operation the
machine performs. G codes are one of a variety of CNC programming codes.
gage line - ANS- An imaginary line marking the toolholder along the bottom edge of the
machine spindle. The gage line on the toolholder taper matches up with the machine tool
spindle when fitted together.
home mode - ANS- The control mode that allows for the operator to find the location of
the home position after complete machine shutdown and restart. Home mode only
occurs on those machines that do not store the location of machine zero when powered
down.
home position - ANS- The location of machine zero on a CNC machine. Home position
must be referenced during machine warm up after a full shut down unless the machine
stores its home position even when shut down.
homing procedure - ANS- A method for locating a CNC machine's home position. The
homing procedure must be completed upon starting up a CNC machine that has been
fully shut down unless that machine has a reference return button.
horizontal mill - ANS- A mill in which the spindle is oriented horizontally. On a horizontal
mill, the Z axis describes left-to-right movement, the X axis describes towards-and-away
movement, and the Y axis describes up-and-down movement.
jog controls - ANS- Buttons on a CNC machine control unit that move the machine
components along the axes. The jog controls move machine components in steady
movements.
jog mode - ANS- The control mode that allows for the manual operation of steady axes
movement using the jog control buttons. Some machines have a combined handle/jog
mode.
machine control unit - ANS- MCU. A small, powerful computer that controls and operates
a CNC machine. Machine control units can be used to store offsets.
