Do you often find yourself stuck on a specific technical English term while studying or working, or suddenly forget how to say a certain professional term when communicating with foreign clients at exhibitions? No worries, the editor of Metal Processing has gathered and organized the following vocabulary of CNC technology in English to help you with your learning and communication!
1) Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) refers to the use of a computer to control machining functions, achieving numerical control.
2) Axis is a reference direction along which components of the machine tool can move in a straight line or rotate.
3) Machine Coordinate System is a Cartesian coordinate system fixed to the machine tool, based on the machine’s zero point.
4) Machine Coordinate Origin is the origin of the machine coordinate system.
5) Workpiece Coordinate System is a Cartesian coordinate system fixed to the workpiece.
6) Workpiece Coordinate Origin is the origin of the workpiece coordinate system.
7) Machine Zero is the machine’s origin defined by the machine manufacturer.
8) Reference Position is a fixed point along the coordinate axis used for machine startup, which can reference the machine coordinate origin.
9) Absolute Dimension / Absolute Coordinates refer to the straight-line distance or angle from the origin of a coordinate system.
10) Incremental Dimension / Incremental Coordinates refer to the distance or angle value from the previous point in a sequence of points.
11) Least Input Increment is the smallest incremental unit that can be input in the machining program.
12) Least Command Increment is the smallest incremental unit for the coordinate axis movement commanded by the numerical control device.
13) Interpolation is the computational process of determining the positional coordinates of multiple intermediate points based on a mathematical function (e.g., straight line, arc, or higher-order function) between two known points on the desired path or contour.
14) Line Interpolation is a type of interpolation where the interpolation between two points approximates along a straight line, controlling the tool’s movement along this line.
15) Circular Interpolation is a type of interpolation where the points approximating the actual arc are calculated based on the interpolation numerical information between the endpoints, controlling the tool to move along these points to process an arc curve.
16) Clockwise Arc refers to the trajectory formed by the tool reference point rotating around the trajectory center in a negative angle direction.
17) Counterclockwise Arc refers to the trajectory formed by the tool reference point rotating around the trajectory center in a positive angle direction.
18) Manual Part Programming refers to the manual preparation of part machining programs.
19) Computer Part Programming refers to preparing part programs using a computer along with appropriate general processing programs and post-processing programs to obtain machining programs.
20) Absolute Programming refers to programming using control words that represent absolute dimensions.
21) Incremental Programming refers to programming using control words that represent incremental dimensions.
22) Character refers to a group of element symbols used to represent an organization or control data.
23) Control Character appears in specific information texts, representing a character that indicates a certain control function.
24) Address refers to a character or group of characters that begins a control word, used to identify the subsequent data.
25) Block Format refers to the arrangement of words, characters, and data in a program segment.
26) Instruction Code / Machine Code refers to the computer instruction code, machine language, used to represent the codes of instructions in the instruction set.
27) Program Number refers to the number designated at the front of each program for identification.
28) Program Name refers to the name designated for identification of each program.
29) Command Mode refers to the operational mode of the command.
30) Block refers to a collection of instructions in a program designed to perform a specific operation.
31) Part Program refers to a sequence of instructions written in a certain language or format for effective automatic operation in automatic machining. Part programs are written on input media and can also be prepared for computers to obtain machining programs after processing.
32) Machine Program refers to a sequence of instructions written in automatic control language and format in an automatic control system. These instructions are recorded on appropriate input media and can fully achieve direct operation.
33) End of Program indicates the auxiliary function marking the end of workpiece machining.
34) End of Data is an auxiliary function that deletes the spindle function and other functions (e.g., cooling function) after all commands in a program segment are executed.
35) Program Stop is an auxiliary function that deletes the spindle function and other functions after all commands in a program segment are executed and terminates subsequent data processing.
36) Preparatory Function refers to commands that establish the machine tool or control system’s machining functional mode.
37) Miscellaneous Function refers to a command that controls the switch functions of the machine tool or system.
38) Tool Function refers to identifying or adjusting the tool according to the corresponding format specifications.
39) Feed Function defines the command for feed speed technical specifications.
40) Spindle Speed Function defines the command for spindle speed technical specifications.
41) Feed Hold refers to the function that temporarily interrupts the feed during the execution of the machining program.
42) Tool Path refers to the trajectory traced by the cutting tool over specified points.
43) Zero Offset is a feature of the CNC system that allows the origin of the CNC measurement system to move relative to the machine zero point within a specified range, while its permanent zero point exists within the CNC system.
44) Tool Offset refers to the relative displacement applied to the machine coordinate axis in all or specific parts of a machining program. The direction of displacement is determined by the sign of the offset value.
45) Tool Length Offset refers to the offset in the direction of tool length.
46) Tool Radius Offset refers to the tool offset in two coordinate directions.
47) Cutter Compensation refers to the displacement perpendicular to the tool path, used to correct the difference between the actual tool radius and the programmed tool radius.
48) Tool Path Feedrate refers to the speed at which the reference point on the tool moves relative to the workpiece along the tool path, typically expressed in units of movement per minute or per revolution.
49) Fixed Cycle / Canned Cycle refers to a set of pre-defined operational commands that cause the machine tool to move along the coordinate axes and perform fixed machining actions, such as drilling, milling, tapping, and composite actions of these operations.
50) Subprogram refers to a part of the machining program that can be activated by appropriate machining control commands.
51) Planning Sheet refers to the process table prepared for the machining process of parts before programming.
52) Executive Program refers to a collection of instructions that establish operational capabilities in a CNC system.
53) Override refers to the manual control function that allows the operator to modify programmed values (e.g., feed rate, spindle speed, etc.) during machining.
54) Servo Mechanism refers to a type of servo system where the controlled quantity is either mechanical position or the derivative of mechanical position over time.
55) Error refers to the difference between calculated values, observed values, or actual values and true values, given values, or theoretical values.
56) Resolution refers to the smallest interval that can be distinguished between two adjacent discrete quantities.
board n. board card
fine adj. fine precision
word n. word
ABS (absolute) adj. absolute
absolute adj. absolute
AC n. alternating current
accelerate v. accelerate
acceleration n. acceleration
active adj. active
adapter n. adapter, plug
address n. address
adjust v. adjust
adjustment n. adjustment
advance v. advance
advanced adj. advanced, enhanced
alarm n. alarm
ALM (alarm) n. alarm
alter v. modify
amplifier n. amplifier
angle n. angle
APC n. absolute pulse encoder
appendix n. appendix, accessory
arc n. arc
argument n. field, variable
arithmetic n. arithmetic
arrow n. arrow
AUTO n. automatic
automatic adj. automatic
automation n. automation
auxiliary function n. auxiliary function
axes n. axes (plural)
axis n. axis
background n. background, backstage
backlash n. backlash
backspace v. backspace
backup v. backup
bar n. bar, strip
battery n. battery
baudrate n. baud rate
bearing n. bearing
binary adj. binary
bit n. bit
blank n. blank space
block n. block, segment
blown v. blown fuse
bore v. bore
boring n. boring
box n. box, frame
bracket n. bracket
buffer n. buffer
bus n. bus
button n. button
cabinet n. cabinet
cable n. cable
calculate v. calculate
calculation n. calculation
call v. call
CAN (cancel) v. clear
cancel v. clear
canned cycle n. fixed cycle
capacity n. capacity
card n. board card
carriage n. carriage, workbench
cassette n. cassette
cell n. cell
CH (channel) n. channel
change v. change, replace
channel n. channel
check v. check
chop v. chisel
chopping n. chiseling
circle n. circle
circuit n. circuit, loop
circular adj. circular
clamp v. clamp
clear v. clear
clip v. clip
clipboard n. clipboard
clock n. clock
clutch n. chuck, clutch
CMR n. command gain
CNC n. Computer Numerical Control
code n. code
coder n. encoder
command n,v. command
communication n. communication
compensation n. compensation
computer n. computer
condition n. condition
configuration n. configuration
configure v. configure
connect v. connect
connection n. connection
connector n. connector
console n. console
constant n. constant, adj. constant
contour n. contour
control v. control
conversion n. conversion
cool v. cool
coolant n. coolant
coordinate n. coordinate
copy v. copy
corner n. corner
correct v. correct, adj. correct
correction n. correction
count v. count
counter n. counter
CPU n. Central Processing Unit
CR n. carriage return
cradle n. cradle
create v. generate
CRT n. cathode ray tube
CSB n. central service board
current n. current, adj. default
current loop n. current loop
cursor n. cursor
custom n. user
cut v. cut
cutter n. (disk-shaped) tool
cycle n. cycle
cylinder n. cylinder
cylindrical adj. cylindrical
data n. data (plural)
date n. date
datum n. data (singular)
DC n. direct current
deceleration n. deceleration
decimal point n. decimal point
decrease v. decrease
deep adj. deep
define v. define
degree n. degree
DEL (delete) v. delete
delay v,n. delay
delete v. delete
deletion n. deletion
description n. description
detect v. check
detection n. check
device n. device
DGN (diagnose) v. diagnose
DI n. digital input
DIAG (diagnosis) n. diagnosis
diagnosis n. diagnosis
diameter n. diameter
diamond n. diamond
digit n. digit
dimension n. dimension, (coordinate system) dimension
DIR n. directory
direction n. direction
directory n. directory
disconnect v. disconnect
disconnection n. disconnection
disk n. disk
diskette n. disk
display v,n. display
distance n. distance
divide n,v. divide, v. partition
DMR n. detection gain
DNC direct data control
DO n. digital output
dog switch n. return reference point slow switch
DOS n. disk operating system
DRAM n. dynamic random access memory
drawing n. drawing
dress v. dress
dresser n. dresser
drill v. drill
drive v. drive
driver n. driver
dry run n. dry run
duplicate v. duplicate
duplication n. duplication
dwell n,v. dwell
edit v. edit
EDT (edit) v. edit
EIA n. Electronic Industries Alliance standard
electrical adj. electrical
electronic adj. electronic
emergency n. emergency
enable v. enable
encoder n. encoder
end v,n. end
enter n. carriage return, v. input, enter
entry n. input
equal v. equal
equipment n. equipment
erase v. erase
error n. error, mistake, fault
esc = escape v. exit
exact adj. exact
example n. example
exchange v. exchange
execute v. execute
execution n. execution
exit v. exit
external adj. external
failure n. fault
FANUC n. FANUC (Japan)
fault n. fault
feed v. feed
feedback v. feedback
feedrate n. feed rate
figure n. figure
file n. file
filter n. filter
fin (finish) n. finish (response signal)
fine adj. fine
fixture n. fixture
FL (return reference point) low speed
flash memory n. flash memory
flexible adj. flexible
floppy adj. floppy
foreground n. foreground, front desk
format n. format, v. format
function n. function
gain n. gain
GE FANUC GE FANUC
gear n. gear
general adj. general, universal
generator n. generator
geometry n. geometry
gradient n. slope, gradient
graph n. graph
graphic adj. graphic
grind v. grind
group n. group
guidance n. guidance
guide v. guide
halt n,v. halt, interruption
handle n. manual, handwheel
handy adj. portable
handy file portable programmer
hardware n. hardware
helical adj. helical
help n,v. help
history n. history
HNDL (handle) n. manual, hand-operated
hold v. hold
hole n. hole
horizontal a. horizontal
host n. host
hour n. hour
hydraulic adj. hydraulic
I/O n. input/output
illegal adj. illegal
inactive adj. inactive
inch n. inch
increment n. increment
incremental adj. incremental
index n. index
initial adj. initial
initialization n. initialization
initialize v. initialize
input n,v. input
INS (insert) v. insert
insert v. insert
instruction n. instruction
interface n. interface
internal adj. internal
interpolate v. interpolate
interpolation n. interpolation
interrupt v. interrupt
interruption n. interruption
intervent n. interval, break
involute n. involute
ISO n. International Organization for Standardization
jog n. jog
jump v. jump
key n. key
keyboard n. keyboard
label n. label, number
ladder diagram n. ladder diagram
language n. language
lathe n. lathe
LCD n. liquid crystal display
least adj. least
length n. length
LIB (library) n. library
library n. library
life n. life
light n. light
limit n. limit
limit switch n. limit switch
line n. line
linear adj. linear
linear scale n. linear sensor
link n,v. link
list n,v. list
load n. load, v. load
local adj. local
locate v. locate, latch
location n. locate, latch
lock v. lock
logic n. logic
look ahead v. look ahead
loop n. loop
LS n. limit switch
LSI n. large scale integration
machine n. machine tool, v. process
macro n. macro
macro program n. macro program
magazine n. tool magazine
magnet n. magnet
magnetic a. magnetic
main program n. main program
maintain v. maintain
maintenance n. maintenance
MAN (manual) n. manual
management n. management
manual n. manual
master adj. master
max adj. maximum, n. maximum value
maximum adj. maximum, n. maximum value
MDI n. manual data input
meaning n. meaning
measurement n. measurement
memory n. memory
menu n. menu
message n. message
meter n. meter
metric adj. metric
mill n. milling machine, v. milling
min adj. minimum, n. minimum value
minimum adj. minimum, n. minimum value
minus v. subtract, adj. negative
minute n. minute
mirror image n. mirror image
miscellaneous function n. auxiliary function
MMC n. man-machine communication unit
modal adj. modal
modal G code n. modal G code
mode n. mode
model n. model
modify v. modify
module n. module
MON (monitor) v. monitor
monitor v. monitor
month n. month
motion n. motion
motor n. motor
mouse n. mouse
MOV (move) v. move
move v. move
movement n. movement
multiply v. multiply
N number n. program segment number
N.M n. Newton meter
name n. name
NC n. numerical control
NCK n. numerical control core
negative adj. negative
nest n,v. nest
nop n. no operation
NULL n. null
number n. number
numeric adj. numeric
O number n. program number
octal adj. octal
OEM n. original equipment manufacturer
OFF adv. off
offset n. offset, deviation
ON adv. on
one shot G code n. one-time G code
open v. open
operate v. operate
operation n. operation
OPRT (operation) n. operation
origin n. origin
original adj. original
output n,v. output
over travel n. over travel
over voltage n. over voltage
overcurrent n. over current
overflow v,n. overflow
overheat n. overheat
overload n. overload
override n. (speed, etc.) override
page n. page
page down n. page down
page up n. page up
panel n. panel
PARA (parameter) n. parameter
parabola n. parabola
parallel adj. parallel
parameter n. parameter
parity n. parity
part n. workpiece, part
password n. password
paste v. paste
path n. path
pattern n. pattern
pause n. pause
PC n. personal computer
PCB n. printed circuit board
per prep. per
percent n. percent
pitch n. pitch, thread pitch
plane n. plane
PLC n. programmable logic controller
plus n. gain, prep. plus, adj. positive
PMC n. programmable logic controller
pneumatic adj. pneumatic
polar adj. polar, n. polar line
portable adj. portable
POS (position) v,n. position
position v,n. position
position loop n. position loop
positive adj. positive
power n. power supply, energy, power
power source n. power supply
preload v. preload
preset v. preset
pressure n. pressure
preview v. preview
PRGRM (program) v. program, n. program
print v. print
printer n. printer
prior adj. prior, basic
procedure n. procedure
profile n. profile, section
program v. program, n. program
programmable adj. programmable
programmer n. programmer
protect v. protect
protocol n. protocol
PSW (password) n. password
pulse n. pulse
pump n. pump
punch v. punch
puncher n. puncher
push button n. push button
PWM n. pulse width modulation
query n. question
quit v. exit
radius n. radius
RAM n. random access memory
ramp n. ramp
ramp up v. (computer system) bootstrap
range n. range
rapid adj. rapid
rate n. rate
ratio n. ratio
read v. read
ready adj. ready
ream v. ream
reamer n. reamer
record v,n. record
REF (reference) n. reference
reference n. reference
reference point n. reference point
register n. register
registration n. registration
relative adj. relative
relay v,n. relay
remedy n. remedy
remote adj. remote
replace v. replace
reset v. reset
restart v. restart
RET (return) v. return
return v. return
revolution n. revolution
rewind v. rewind
rigid adj. rigid
RISC n. reduced instruction set computer
roll v. roll
roller n. roller
ROM n. read-only memory
rotate v. rotate
rotation n. rotation
rotor n. rotor
rough adj. rough
RPM n. revolutions per minute
RSTR (restart) v. restart
run v. run
sample n. sample
save v. save
save as v. save as
scale n. scale
scaling n. scaling
schedule n. schedule
screen n. screen
screw n. screw
search v. search
second n. second
segment n. field
select v. select
selection n. selection
self-diagnostic n. self-diagnostic
sensor n. sensor
sequence n. sequence
sequence number n. sequence number
series n. series, adj. serial
series spindle n. digital spindle
servo n. servo
set v. set
setting n. setting
shaft n. shaft
shape n. shape
shift v. shift
SIEMENSE n. Siemens (Germany)
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