PERCEPTION verses KNOWLEDGE

Lets try this from another perspective:-) (Engineering proraming and Machiningf 101)

I used to teach a course in Machine shop efficiency, and also a simpler machine tool programing language called "Zero-Tracking".

Lets look at a Machinist/Programers view of the world, by starting with the basic 3-axis vertical CNC mill.

X= table travel left and right, Y= table in and out, and Z= spindle travel up and down.

Now many 3 axis machine tools operate on a standard grid system that comes from the end of travel in each axis, and any parts programs will have a point on the fixture that will be located and input into an offset table, to align the tool with the work. These starting points A= the Machine grid start point, is often called GOD, by both the machine operator and the programer, and the secondary point of location on the part fixture is GOD2, or the SON of GOD.

Now when we get into more complicated machinery like a 4,5 or 6 axis machine centers, many still use the same concepts and programing of 3-axis machines and have no end of trouble making accurate parts:-(

Most 4 and 5 axis machines are horizontals, ( thats like taking a 3 axis, tipping it over on it's back, and adding a rotary B axis on the x travel, and a rotating A axis added to the z axis makes a fith, and additional rotating tables can be incorporated onto the rotary B, as C and D for doing complicated multi-dimensional work like aerospace parts that have MDD surfaces.

Now to produce MDD parts with old programing methods takes MASSIVE amounts of combined axis moves and programs can be as thick as telephone books, and fixture locating zero's "secondary GODS" could be located at each fixture rotation, and makes for a living HELL trying to chase part accuracy with offsets that usually end up LYING to the machine to get the parts to come out within acceptable tolerance:-(

NOW Zero-Tracking sets up the machine tool, to the center of each axis of travel, to a center point in space, in the very center of the machines grid positions, and we call this "THE ONE TRUE GOD" :-)

Then we use an add on package to the software that incorporates the use of new software, a ruby stylus, micro-switch, lazer activated spindle probe, that basicqally line the machine up with the 1 GOD, and then the programer, using a different language, and the Trigonomic function of the machines computer, to track qand calculate the part geometry, no matter how the machine moves it constantly tracks zero or constantly has its eye on GOD:-)

The language consists of a lot of parethesis and greater and less than signs, instead of tens of thousands of x-y-z-b-a-c-d-c moves, and the porograms that were big as phone books come out on about three sheets of paper, and the machine moves and cuts like smooth butter instead of jerky motions when using the many GOD method:-)

And fixture and tool offsets become minimal, and you hardly EVER have to LIE to the machine, or cheat the offsets about tool lenghts, diameters or rotational errors:-)

The same can be said for REAL LIFE TOO.

IF you are not using that great computer that is your mind, to track and keep in sight the one true GOD, YOU will be tracking MANY lesser gods, and making many mistakes:-(

i WILL and GOD WILLS that you, only have one GOD:-)

(and it is rule #1 to boot:-)

(-::-)


YA KNOW...There's an awful lot of COMPARTMENALIZATION that goes on between the IDEA and Planning and Funding and ORDERING of a Weapons System and the chain of compartments down to the manufacturing floor where the THINGS are actually made :-I

And when your TALENTS take you on a journey through a few too many of these "compartments" .... and you happen to have the skills of a HUNTER and know how to read a backtrail..........AND.....you can LEARN from the experiences of those around you...........you start to put things together......especially if your expertise is "PROBLEM SOLVING"

(-::-)