Computer Numerical Control | Definition & Facts | Britannica

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External Websites

• Goodwin University - Computer Numerical Control Machining
• University of Technology - Numerical Control Fundamental

computer numerical control technology Ask Anything Homework Help Also known as: NC Written and fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors History Britannica AI Ask Anything Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask Anything

computer numerical control (CNC), in manufacturing, the control of a device, particularly machine tools, by direct input of data from a computer program. It is a principal element of computer-integrated manufacturing. CNC is also essential to the operation of industrial robots. CNC systems often receive their instructions from computer-aided design (CAD) programs. Two basic types of CNC systems are point-to-point, in which a device is programmed to perform a series of motions with fixed starting and stopping points, and continuous-path, in which a point-to-point programmed device has sufficient memory to be “aware” of its former actions and their results and to act in accordance with this information.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Erik Gregersen.