Utilizing CAEDOS to Program 2-Axis Contouring on Numerically Controlled Point to Point Milling Machines

This Memorandum describes the manner in which a procedure and software for utilizing a numerically controlled point to point milling machine as a 2-axis contour milling machine was developed, demonstrated and implemented on CAEDOS. A point to point milling and drilling machine will move its table from one point to precisely another point, however, unless this is a straight X or Y axis move, it will not travel a straight line to get there. By contrast, a contour milling machine will move its table and tool chuck, for 3-5 axis contouring from one point to precisely another point, while moving in exactly a straight line. This requires more complicated algorithms in the machine controllers software, as well as precise coordination between the machine axis movements, both of which are lacking in a point to point machine. The only numerically controlled machines Code 422 has are Pratt Whitney point to point millingdrilling machines, built in 1968. In order to accommodate jobs that encompass milling anything other than either straight X or Y axis moves i.e., angled or curved contours, the following effort was undertaken.