Module 2

Automatically Programmed Tooling (APT)

• Automatically Programmed Tool is a high-level computer
programming language most commonly used to generate instructions
for numerically controlled machine tools.
• APT, the machining instructions are written in English- like statements
that are subsequently translated by the computer into the low-level
machine code that can be interpreted and executed by the machine
tool controller.
• APT part programming languages, the two main tasks of the programmer
are:
1. Define the part geometry
2. Specify the tool path and Operation Sequence
Other functions in APT
a. Specifying the speed and feed rate
b. Specifying cutter size and tool offset
c. Specifying the tolerance
d. Naming the program
e. Identifying the machine tool
APT requires a processor & a post-processor.
• Post-processor generates the appropriate NC program for a particular
CNC machine tool.
• APT processor is a very large programme which runs on mainframe
computer and gives the output called Cutter location Data (CLDATA).

The APT system consists of three parts namely

1. APT part programme –written in APT language (English statement)
2. APT programme processor- converts into cutter location file
(CLDATA)
3. APT post processor-produces NC tape from cutter location data
Computer Tasks in Computer-Assisted Part Programming
1. Input translation – converts the coded instructions in the part
program into computer usable form
2. Arithmetic and cutter offset computations – performs the
mathematical computations to define the part surface and generate
the tool path, including cutter offset compensation (CLFILE)
3. Editing – provides readable data on cutter locations and machine
tool operating commands (CLDATA)
4. Post processing – converts CLDATA into low-level code that can be
interpreted by the MCU
• Four basic types of statements in the APT language
1. Geometry statements, also called definition statements; are used to
define the geometry elements that comprise the part.
2. Motion commands; are used to specify the tool path.
3. Postprocessor statements; control the machine tool operation, for
example, to specify speeds and feeds, set tolerance values for circular
interpolation, and actuate other capabilities of the machine tool.
4. Auxiliary statements; a group of miscellaneous statements used to
name the part program, insert comments in the program and
accomplish similar functions.
• Geometry statements
The points, lines, and surfaces must be defined in the program prior to
specifying the motion statements.
• SYMBOL = GEOMETRY TYPE/descriptive data
A symbol can be any combination of six or fewer alphabetical and
numerical characters, at least one of which must be alphabetical.
• Examples of part geometry definitions:
P4 = POINT/35, 90,0
L1 = LINE/P1, P2
C1 = CIRCLE/CENTER, P8, RADIUS, 30.0
Points: Specification of a point can be accomplished by the following:
• Designating its x-, y-, and z-coordinates;
P1 = POINT/15.0, 10.0, 25.0
• As the intersection of two intersecting lines;
P2 = POINT/INTOF, L1, L2
L1 and L2 are two previously defined lines.
Lines: A line in APT is considered to be of infinite length in both directions.
Specification of a line can be accomplished by the following:
• Two points through which it passes;
L1 = LINE/P3, P4
P3 and P4 are two previously defined points.
• Passes through point (P5) and parallel to another line (L3) that has been
previously defined;
L2 = LINE/P5, PARLEL, L3
Planes: In APT, a plane extends indefinitely. A plane can be defined by the following:
• Three points through which It passes;
PL1 = PLANE/P1, P2, P3
P1, P2 and P3 must be non-collinear.
• Passes through point (P2) and parallel to another plane (PL1) that has been
previously defined;
PL2 = PLANE/P2, PARLEL, PL1
Circles: In APT, a circle is considered to be a cylindrical surface that is perpendicular to
the x-y plane and extends to infinity in the z-direction. A circle can be defined by the
following:
• Center and radius;
C1 = CIRCLE/CENTER, P1, RADIUS, 25.0
• Three points through which it passes;
C2 = CIRCLE/P4, P5, P6
The three points must not be collinear.
MOTION COMMANDS
• MOTION COMMAND/descriptive data
• FROM/STARTPT
Where FROM is an APT vocabulary word indicating that this is the initial
point from which all others will be referenced; and STARTPT is the
symbol assigned to the starting point. Another way to make this
statement is the following:
• FROM/-20.0, -20.0, 0
The FROM statement occurs only at the start of the motion sequence.
Point-to-point motions
• There are two commands; GOTO and GODLTA.
GOTO/P2
GOTO/25.0, 40.0,0
• GODLTA command specifies an incremental move for the tool
GODLTA/50.0, 120.0, 40.0
• GODLTA statement is useful in drilling and related machining
operations
GOTO/P2
GODLTA/0, 0, -50.0
GODLTA/0, 0, 50.0
Postprocessor statements
• Postprocessor statements control the operation of the machine tool
and play a supporting role in generating the tool path.

Postprocessor command/descriptive data

1.UNITS/MM indicates that the specified units in the program are
INCHES or MM.
2. INTOL/0.02 specifies inward tolerance for circular interpolation
3. SPINDL/1000 , CLW specifies spindle rotation speed in revolutions
per minute. Either
, CLW specifies spindle rotation speed in revolutions per minute. Either
CLW (clockwise) or CCLW (counter-clockwise) can be specified.
(SPINDL/OFF)
4. CUTTER/20 defines cutter diameter for tool path offset calculation
5. DELAY/30 temporarily stops the machine tool for a period specified
in seconds.
6. FEDRAT/40, IPM specifies feed rate in mm/min or in/min as specifies
in UNITS
statements. (FEDRAT/4, IPR)
7. RAPID engage high feed rate for next moves.
8. COOLNT/FLOOD turns fluid one (COOLNT/MIST)
9. (COOLNT/OFF)
10. LOADTL/01 used with automatic tool changing.
EXAMPLE