On 31 August 2016 at 07:42, <dan...@austin.rr.com> wrote: > 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.
At the weekend I picked up an interesting little introductory book from the 1960s, which talks about using uniselectors and relays (think Strowger electromechanical telephone exchange) as the store and logic of the "computer", with codes on paper tape and everything done in a way that would seem very little like a computer to us today. > 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 don't think CNC implies something different to a laser cutter or 3D printer, and rather instead the term is less likely to be associated with these as they pass into more general use — i.e. outside specialist shops. With a 3D printer you also arguably have more advanced processes going on, so the CNC bit becomes less interesting. Similar to how these days it would be odd if you started qualifying forms of motor vehicle transportation by noting the use of an internal combustion engine. Andrew -- Andrew Back http://carrierdetect.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
