Figure 1
Development into CIM technology
The technical realization of this idea required a control which interprets binary and digital entries for travel
paths and switching operations in such a way that they could be understood and processed by the milling
machine. Herewith the basic principle was formulated for the application of numerical controls. The rapid
development of electronic data processing then enabled the practical realization.
First a corresponding NC control was developed for a vertical milling machine. The machining path and
switching information necessary for manufacturing was given on punch card. The idea was to control the
infeed axis of the milling machine so that separately working motors control the axis movements of the tool
carrier. The sequence of the travel path and switching information in form of code letters and numbers was
called a „NC program“.
This first NC machine tool already showed all the characteristics of the NC machines to be developed later
on:
• Entry unit with numerical starting value for the travel path and switch information on a punch card.
• Computer control to process the travel path and switch information.
• Separate power supply for each infeed axis and spindle to control the movements of the tool and tool
carrier.
• Measuring and control systems returning feedback to the controlling computer regarding the tool positions.