What does "incremental programming" refer to in CNC programming?

Incremental programming refers to a method in CNC programming where movement instructions are given relative to the current position of the machine tool. This means that instead of specifying absolute coordinates on a fixed coordinate system, each command indicates a change in position from the last location—essentially stating how far and in which direction the tool should move from where it currently is.

This approach allows for more flexibility and can be more intuitive in certain scenarios, especially in complex machining operations where keeping track of absolute positions could be cumbersome. For example, if the tool is currently at a certain point, an instruction in incremental programming might indicate to move 2 inches to the right. The tool simply adds that distance to its present coordinates.

The other options do not accurately describe what incremental programming entails. Fixed points would relate to absolute programming, where positions are defined based on a set coordinate system. Instructions that do not change would imply a static situation, which isn’t applicable to the dynamic nature of CNC operations. Manual calculations might be involved with certain types of programming but are not a defining characteristic of incremental programming specifically.