CNC Programming Handbook, 2nd Edition [Hardcover]

Peter Smid (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0831131586 | ISBN-13: 978-0831131586 | Publication Date: December 20, 2002 | Edition: 2nd

Extraordinarily comprehensive, this popular and authoritative reference covers just about every possible subject a typical CNC programmer may encounter on a daily basis. Fully indexed to help the user quickly locate topics of interest, this “industrial strength” handbook presents most common programming subjects in great depth and is equally applicable to both CNC milling and CNC turning operations. Many advanced subjects are also covered, thus making this an unusually comprehensive reference for machinists, programmers, engineers, and supervisors. Filled with over one thousand illustrations, tables, formulas, tips, shortcuts, and practical examples, this widely respected publication is structured in a logical order that is readily adaptable to virtually all levels of CNC training, from the basic to the advanced.

CNC Programming Handbook has just become more valuable than ever! A new CD-ROM, packed with actual problem-solving projects and enhancing the material presented in the book, is included for the first time. Users will find programming projects and exercises for most chapters, special programming and machining projects, solutions to problems, and numerous reference files useful in CNC programming, as well as several utilities. With the majority of files in Adobe PDF, instructors will be able to quickly and easily print and distribute any of the projects, exercises, and references to their classes. Meanwhile, students and professionals will find this CD an effective self-study aid that allows them to enhance their understanding of the subject one topic at a time.

• Presents complete information on various programming techniques, from the basic areas to dozens of advanced concepts.
• Includes more than 1,000 illustrations, tables, formulas, tips, shortcuts and real-world examples.
• Offers unparalleled reference material useful for skills training at all levels of CNC.
• Presents an encyclopedic, logically organized approach to CNC programming, allowing the reader to look up a subject of interest only.
• Uses cross references throughout to guide the reader to the proper answer or solution to a problem.
  

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Smid is a professional consultant, educator, and speaker, and has many years of practical, hands-on experience with CNC and CAD/CAM applications on all levels. He consults for both manufacturers and educational institutions on the practical use of CNC technology, part programming, CAD/CAM, advanced machining, tooling, setup, and many other related fields. Hundreds of organizations have used his services and benefited from his wide-ranging industrial background in CNC programming, machining, and company-oriented training.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 600 pages
• Publisher: Industrial Press, Inc.; 2nd edition (December 20, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0831131586
• ISBN-13: 978-0831131586
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #942,378 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book for learning CNC programming, July 7, 2006

By 

calvinnme - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: CNC Programming Handbook, 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

This is an incredibly detailed and helpful book for learning the concepts behind programming CNC machine tools. Although most programming is now done with the aid of CAM programs which generate G-code based on a drawing of the part to be machined, the complexities of CNC machining demand that the operator have a thorough understanding of CNC programming. From configuring a post processor in a CAM program, to fixing simple errors in a generated program "on the fly", to entering single lines in a machine's Manual Data Input mode, the helpfulness of this book cannot be understated. Besides programming tutorials, the book also covers strategies for programming various cycles and tool changes. The CD-ROM contains tests and projects which make this a useful textbook in a classroom setting.

The book begins with an overview of Numerical Control concepts, CNC Milling and Turning machines, coordinate geometry, and control systems. For the student or engineer producing drawings or parts that are to be machined, these sections will allow an understanding of what operations the machines are capable of performing, and how they do the work.

The remaining chapters deal with the planning and structure of a program, so that a drawing can be understood, the various machining operations separated, and the order of operations decided upon. In order to direct a machine to mill a particular pocket, you must include variables such as the diameter of an endmill, the amount of step over per pass, the feed rate, the spindle speed, the endmill shape, etc. This book gives you good practice at doing just that. A CNC machine tool is one of the few tools that is capable of self-destructing if you program it to do so, and it is only by understanding the instructions given to the tool that such disasters can be avoided and productive work be accomplished.

This book offers an incredibly detailed step-by-step explanation of all standard G-codes, modality, blocks, various functions, etc. For example, there is an entire chapter just on "G00". This book is exhaustive in it's treatment of all the possible commands and instructions, combinations, and interactions with machines. Toolchanging is handled, as well as special situations such as how to deal with an oversized tool in the ATC. Drill and fixed cycles are covered comprehensively, especially the calculations for such things as countersinking with a pilot drill, breakthrough depth, nominal and effective tool diameter, and point lengths.

The only negative thing I have to say is that there are some pretty bad grammar and syntax errors in some of the author's explanations that sometimes interfere with the comprehension of the material. I would expect a second edition of such a popular and widely read technical book to have had better proofreading than this.

Reading this book will not only make you a better CNC programmer, but it will unlock the potential of codes and techniques that you may not have known existed, or thought too complex to incorporate in your machining. There is no better guide to CNC programming than this book, and I highly recommend it.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely useful book, March 31, 2003

By 

Raul (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: CNC Programming Handbook, 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

And I thought all tech books are bland. My company was in need of reference manual for operating cnc equipment. Within two weeks of reading the appropriate chapters, my workers were independent and writing accurate code. Highly recommend to students and machinists.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book, December 29, 2005

By 

Jim "Jim" (NZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: CNC Programming Handbook, 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

Best one out there for programming. For previous critics, remember this is a CNC PROGRAMMING book not machining. You want feeds and speeds etc, there are other books out there dealing with machining theory.