Got into a bizarre argument... so of course it was initially "Computer Numeric Control". I was noting people breaking it down to explain it to people as "which means it's 'computer numeric controlled'" but that seems to add nothing to the meaning. In fact it's confusing.
It's computer-controlled, sure. I say "computer controlled" for people who don't know the term "CNC". But what is the "numeric" adding? I presume that meant something in like the 80's, but it's not used anymore. Computers use numbers... and bits... and memory... and code... and electricity. It doesn't seem to convey anything now but implies there's some special number thing going on, which is why I always just say "CNC" or "computer controlled". Thing is, people occasionally become confused how a laser cutter or 3D printer is NOT "computer numeric control", we never call those CNC. Well, they ARE all computer-controlled, equally so, really. And numbers are involved. But the term "CNC" seems limited to mills, routers, and plasma. A waterjet or wire EDM, I just hear those without the "CNC" in front, because there's no manual waterjets around. There are handheld plasma cutters through. It seems like expanding it to "computer NUMERIC control" implies that something entirely different in its core concept than laser cutters or 3D printers... or, like, a paper printer, and people ask what that is. I was arguing the best answer is "CNC just means CNC, and specifically cutters and plasma". Danny ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
