CNC Applications

Rectangular Cycles for

Turning Centers

A Common Task
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start the animation.

This is a common turning task

rapid to depth, feed to
length, feed clear of the
diameter, rapid back to the
starting point.
This cut takes four blocks to
program, a rapid, two feeds,
and another rapid.

What is a Cycle?
Normally, we only perform one positioning or cutting
task in each block.
However, tasks such as the four block turning
sequence just provided are so common that control
designers have incorporated CYCLES to reduce
programming time.
A cycle combines multiple moves into a single
programmed block.

The Rectangular Turning Cycle

Cycle
Start
Point

4
1

3
New Z
Position

New X
Position

To use the rectangular turning cycle, you must first position the cutter at the Cycle
Start Point. The cutter will also end up at the cycle start point at the end of the cycle.
The program looks like this:
G90 Xnewx Znewz Fnewf
The cutter rapids to the newx diameter, feeds to the newz length, feeds to the
starting X value, and then rapids back to the starting Z value. You get four blocks for
just one programmed!

Additional G90 Notes

The rectangular turning cycle (G90) is modal which is
handy for repeat cuts.
You can change newx and newz in succeeding cuts, and
you can add a feed rate on any cut or just use the
previous one.
G90 only works in the direction shown. There are
additional cycles for facing, boring, and turning towards
the tailstock.
What does G90 do on a machining center? (Hint: it has
nothing to do with cycles.)

A G90 Turning Example

4.000

3.000 3.500

0.500
1.500
2.250

We will turn the 3.000 and 3.500 diameter steps on this part at 800fpm using the
80 degree C shaped insert in tool 2.

Follow Planning and

Programming Steps (1-5)
1.
2.
3.

4.

Examine drawing
How will we hold the raw material in a 3 jaw chuck.
Decide what cutters to use given hard, coated carbide C shaped
insert, and the cutting speed is also given (800fpm). Well use
constant cutting speed (css) and let the machine calculate and
adjust the RPM based on the X position of the cutter.
Write down the exact sequence of operations:
A.
B.
C.
D.

5.

Rapid position the cutter in Z 0.25 away from the face.

Rapid position the cutter 0.125 away from the part in X (radial).
Take 0.125 radial cuts (0.25 from diameter) using the G90 turning
cycle. Note: we are not taking finishing cuts in this example.
Program end.

Convert the sequence of operations to a program:

Program Start
Turn the Steps
Program End

The Program
Program Codes

Action

%
O999
G20 G40 G99
G28 U0
G28 W0
T0202
G54
G50 S4000
G96 S800 M3
G0 Z2.5
X4.25 M8
G90 X3.75 Z0.5 F.012
X3.5
X3.25 Z1.5
X3.0
M9
M5
G28 U0
G28 W0
M30
%

Program Start

Cap the RPM

Set the cutting speed to 800fpm, forward direction.
Rapid 0.25 away from part in Z.
Rapid 0.125 radial distance from the part in X, coolant on.
First rectangular cycle cut removing 0.25 from diameter.
Finish the larger step, G90 is still active.
First cut on the second step, notice new Z value.
Final cut on the second step.

Program End

The Animation
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start the animation.

Remember, the animation does not show

the difference between rapid and feed
moves. When actually run on the machine,
the rapid moves are much faster than the
feed moves.