Feed rate (F word) specification in CNC Programming - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Feed rate (F word) specification

📖 Scenario: You are programming a CNC machine to cut a metal part. The feed rate controls how fast the cutting tool moves through the material. Setting the correct feed rate is important to get a smooth cut without damaging the tool or the part.

🎯 Goal: You will write a simple CNC program snippet that sets the feed rate using the F word. You will start by defining the tool path commands, then add the feed rate setting, and finally output the full CNC program code.

📋 What You'll Learn

Create a variable called tool_path with the exact CNC commands for moving the tool

Create a variable called feed_rate and set it to the exact value 150

Combine tool_path and feed_rate into a full CNC program string using the F word

Print the full CNC program string exactly as specified

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

CNC programmers must specify feed rates to control tool speed for cutting different materials safely and efficiently.

💼 Career

Understanding how to set and combine feed rates in CNC code is essential for manufacturing, machining, and automation jobs.

1

Create the tool path commands

Create a variable called tool_path and set it to the string exactly: "G01 X50 Y25 Z-5" which moves the tool in a straight line to X=50, Y=25, Z=-5.

CNC Programming

# Create the tool_path variable with the exact string
# Your code here

Hint

Use double quotes around the string and assign it exactly to tool_path.

2

Set the feed rate value

Create a variable called feed_rate and set it to the integer 150 which represents the feed rate in mm/min.

CNC Programming

tool_path = "G01 X50 Y25 Z-5"
# Create the feed_rate variable and set it to 150
# Your code here

Hint

Assign the number 150 to the variable feed_rate.

3

Combine tool path and feed rate

Create a variable called cnc_program that combines tool_path and feed_rate into one string separated by a space, where the feed rate is specified as F150. For example: "G01 X50 Y25 Z-5 F150".

CNC Programming

tool_path = "G01 X50 Y25 Z-5"
feed_rate = 150
# Combine tool_path and feed_rate into cnc_program string
# Your code here

Hint

Use an f-string to insert tool_path and feed_rate with the letter F before the feed rate number.

4

Print the full CNC program

Write a print statement to display the value of cnc_program exactly as it is.

CNC Programming

tool_path = "G01 X50 Y25 Z-5"
feed_rate = 150
cnc_program = f"{tool_path} F{feed_rate}"
# Print the cnc_program variable
# Your code here

Hint

Use print(cnc_program) to show the full CNC command with feed rate.