Numerical Control of Machine Tools

Industry needs more flexible methods of programming machine cycles to achieve automatic operation of machine tools in limited-quantity production. Part of this need is met by numerical control systems which command the machine in accordance with prepared numerical instructions read from a storage medium. Such numerical instruction can be stored in binary or decimal numerical form on punched telegraph tape, punched tabulating cards, magnetic tape, and many other data storage mediums. Numerical control systems are well adapted to control of machine tools such as lathes, turret punch presses and boring, drilling, and milling machines. The numerical control system for a Wiedemann turret punch press is a typical example illustrating the problems of joining controls and machines into a smoothly working combination.