CNC Dictionary: Quadrature to Rulon

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Quadrature

Quadrature refers to a specific scheme whereby an encoder or linear scale can give both the amount and direction of movement.  It accomplishes this by using two separate signals generated from markings on the scale and observing the relationship of the comings and goings of the markings relative to one another.  The name derives because there is a 90 degree phase difference between the two signals.  The quadrature technique also produces more resolution, when all 4 edges of the signal are used to determine the resolution.

Quill

The Quill is a spindle feature whereby just the spindle cartridge may be raised and lowered using a rack and pinion without moving the whole head.  It is common on manual milling machines and drill presses, but is usually omitted from CNC milling machines.

R8 Taper:  See Taper

Rack and Pinion

See our full article on CNC Rack and Pinion.

Ramping (Motor and Machining Technique)

For a stepper motor, ramping is a technique of controlling the acceleration or deceleration of the motor to ensure it arrives at the desired speed when expected.  If you try to ramp the motor too quickly it can’t accelerate or decelerate as fast as commanded and will be out of sync with expectations.

As a machining technique, ramping involves gradually increasing engaging the tool until the desired final depth of cut while moving along a path, either a straight line or sometimes a helical ramp.  It results in less stress on the machine and a better finish in the end of the day.

Rapids

To move at the machine’s maximum rate of speed in order to reposition the cutter to a new location prior to beginning a new cut.  Rapids can be many times faster than cutting speeds.

G-Codes support three common types of motion:

– Rapids (G0):  Moving the tool as quickly as possible, preferably without cutting (although the machine usually doesn’t enforce this) in order to get to the next location where cutting is desired.

– Linear Interpolation (G01):  Linear interpolation is smoothly moving multiple axes of the machine so the tool follows a straight line as closely as possible.  Since the line is usually not aligned with an exis, this requires motion from more than one axis to “stair step” together to produce this diagonal motion.

– Circular Interpolation (G02/G03): Circular interpolation is smoothly moving multiple axes of the machine so that the tool follows a circular arc as closely as possible.  Since the axes only move in straight lines, a series of tiny lines are used to simulate an arc.  G02 causes the motion to be in a clockwise direction, while G03 is counter-clockwise.

Also called Rapid Traverse or Rapid Traverse Feedrate.

Rapid Traverse: See Rapids

Rectifier

A rectifier is a device that converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).  It is a component of a DC or Linear Power Supply such as may be used to provide current for stepper or servo driver motors. See Also Bridge Rectifier.

A Rectifier Board Atop An Electrolytic Capacitor to Make A Linear Power Supply…

Recutting

Recutting occurs when chips are not evacuated quickly enough to avoid the cutting tool hit them again after they’ve already been cut.  This forces the chip against the cut again, which is bad for surface finish and tool wear.

One strategy to reduce recutting is to use climb instead of conventional milling.

Refractometer

A refractometer is an optical device used to measure the index of refraction of a material. In CNC use, refractometers are used to measure whether coolants, which are made from concentrate, are mixed in the correct ratios. Failure to mix a coolant properly can lead to sub-standard performance as well as a greater likelihood the coolant may go rancid.

Regulated Power Supply

A regulated power supply is one in which a voltage regulator circuit or component has been added to ensure voltage stays at a pre-determined level as precisely as possible.  Computers and other logic circuits require regulated power supplies.  Motors do not.

Relative Coordinates & Positioning

Relative Coordinates, also called Incremental Coordinates, refers to the system by which the part program determines how to move. Absolute coordinates are expressed relative to a fixed position whereas Relative Coordinates (see also) are relative to the current position of the cutting tool.  G90 and G91 Absolute vs Incremental Mode G91 cancels absolute coordinate mode and places the part program into relative coordinate mode.

Relative Zero

Relative Zero is the name of the origin of the Relative Coordinate system, in other words, it is the current location of the tool. See Also Relative Coordinates.

Relay

A relay is an electronic (See Also Solid State Relay) or electromechanical device that uses a small current to operate a switch.  A type of very heavy duty relay used to control large current flows (such as are needed for motors) is called a Contactor (See Also Contactor).  The control signal for a relay is typically DC.

Repeatability

Repeatability for a CNC machine is the ability to reach the same level of accuracy over and over again.

Resolution

How accurately a CNC machine or component can discern position.  Encoders have a resolution as do digital calipers and other devices.  Clearly, it is hard for accuracy (See Also Accuracy and Repeatability) to exceed resolution.  Typically accuracy is much less than resolution, in fact.

Resolver

Resolvers are rotary transformers that produce a signal proportional to the rotor position.  They are used on older machines before optical encoders became readily available.  Generally, they only work with older controls systems and are often replaced with optical encoders (See Also Encoder) when the machine is refitted with a new control.

Resonance

Resonance is a tendency to vibrate or oscillate at a particular frequency.  In stepper motor systems, resonance can cause a phenomenon known as mid-band instability, wherein resonance effects cause the system to lose synchronization.  This basically means the motor is fighting the driver, which is not delivering pulses in sync with the motor’s needs.  The result is a loss of torque.  Sophisticated drivers like Geckos are designed to eliminate this problem.

Retention Knob or Retention Stud

A little knob at the top of a toolholder that the drawbar uses to hold onto the holder and pull it up into the taper (See Also Taper).  The Retention Knob is gripped by a sort of collet-like arrangement on the end of the drawbar.  It makes for much faster engagement than a threaded drawbar.

Retention Knobs are replaceable and typically have to be replaced as the wear out. They are also known as “Pull Studs”, which makes sense, given their purpose.

Retention Stud in Foreground…

Rhino 3D

Rhino 3D is a CAD program that may be used to generate solid models.

A Rhino3D Drawing of a Yo Yo…

Right-Hand Rule

The right-hand rule is a convenient way to know the location of the X-, Y-, and Z- axes as well as which direction is positive. Simply hold out your right hand with the thumb, index finger, and second finger at right angles to one another. Point your thumb to the right (X-Axis), the index finger straight ahead (Y-Axis), and the second finger straight up (Z-Axis). Note that this only works for axes as defined for mills (See Also Axes):

Rigid Tapping

Rigid tapping is a CNC capability where a tap is placed in a tool holder and the machine spins the tap while lowering it at exactly the correct speed to cut threads.  It is called rigid because an alternate method, called floating tapping, allows the tap to float relative to the spindle so that the threading process pulls the tap along at the right speed.  Rigid tapping requires precise synchronization of spindle speed with Z-axis motion much like tapping on a lathe.

Rigidity

The ability of the machine to resist deflection (See Also Deflection).

R-Level

An imaginary plane parallel to the X and Y axes that represents a safe height at which the tool can move without hitting anything.  Usually the R-Level is set to be 0.1” above the highest feature on the part.

Also called “Safe Z” in Mach 3.

Rockwell Scale: See Hardness

Roughing

Roughing means to machine a lot of material without concern for surface finish.

Round Column Mill

A round column mill is similar to a drill press.  It uses a round column to support the spindle.  Z-axis moves are made using a quill (see also Quill) because the spindle cannot be moved along the column without losing x and y position.  This makes these mills less desireable for CNC applications, because the entire machining operation must be completed without moving the Z-axis except via quill, which has very limited travel.

Router Table

A router table is a gantry style machine used with a router.  They’re usually designed to cut wood or plastic, although they have some capacity for light aluminum work as well.

RPM

Revolutions per minute, a common measure of rotational speed.

RS232

RS232 is the Electronic Industry Association standard that defines a standard for how electronic devices can communicate serially. It is an older standard than the more modern USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. See also USB.

RS274

RS274D is the Electronic Industry Association standard that defines the G-Code CNC language used by nearly all CNC machines.  This version was approved in February, 1980.  A more recent definition by NIST is called RS274NGC, with the “NGC” standing for “Next Generation Controller”.  It was developed by the National Center for Manufacturing Services. The Europeans go by DIN 66025 as their G-Code standard.

Rulon: See Acetal

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Recently updated on August 27th, 2023 at 10:59 am