numerical control

American  

noun

Computers.

1. control of a machine tool, or other device used in a manufacturing process, by a computer, other control circuitry, or recorded digital commands.

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numerical control British  

noun

1. engineering a form of computer control applied to machine tools, by which an operation is directed from numerical data stored on tape or punched on cards

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Other Word Forms

• numerically controlled adjective

Etymology

Origin of numerical control

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Computer numerical control, or CNC, milling machines — which usually cost a few thousand dollars — are devices that guide drills to produce intricate and precise mechanical parts from slabs of metal.

From Los Angeles Times

A CNC, or computer numerical control, machine is then used to cut into the metal and create the exact design and button holes.

From Seattle Times

They also have computer numerical control, or CNC, machines for milling, grinding and other functions made in Austria, Germany, Japan, Taiwan and the United States, the report said.

From Seattle Times

The company purchases raw materials and uses computerized numerical control machines to create the components desired by their customers.

From Washington Times

The punter spent much of his summer working for his father as a machinist, setting up computer numerical control mills at Centex Machining Inc. From time to time, the elder Draguicevich would catch his son performing punt drop drills during work hours.

From Seattle Times