FANUC

The CNC control is the interface between the operator and the machine. For deep hole drilling, the control needs specific features that general machining centers do not always have. I have worked with FANUC, Siemens, and Heidenhain controls on deep hole drilling machines, and each has strengths and weaknesses depending on the application and the operator skill level. Core Features Required for Deep Hole Drilling Before comparing specific control brands, I need to define the features that matter for deep hole drilling. I have developed a checklist based on years of running production jobs on different controls. ...

The CNC control is the interface between the operator and the machine. For deep hole drilling, the control needs specific features that general machining centers don’t always have. I’ve worked with FANUC, Siemens, and Heidenhain controls on deep hole drilling machines. Each has its strengths. What Deep Hole Drilling Needs A CNC control for deep hole drilling needs: Pecking cycles. The control should support programmable peck depth, retract distance, and feed rate for each peck. Variable feed. The ability to reduce feed at entry and exit, where the cutting forces change. Spindle load monitoring. The control should monitor the load on the spindle and trigger an alarm or stop if the load exceeds a threshold. Coolant pressure monitoring. The control should monitor coolant pressure and stop the machine if pressure drops below a set point. Tool life management. The control should track the number of holes drilled per tool and remind the operator to change tools at the right interval. These features are available on most modern CNC controls, but they need to be set up correctly for deep hole drilling applications. ...