ISO 1056-1975 PDF

Full title and description

Numerical control of machines — Punched tape block formats — Coding of preparatory functions G and miscellaneous functions M (ISO 1056:1975). This International Standard defines the coding conventions for G (preparatory) and M (miscellaneous) functions used in punched-tape programs for numerical control (NC) machine tools, to ensure consistent interpretation of common preparatory and auxiliary commands.

Abstract

ISO 1056:1975 specifies a standardized set of function codes and the punched-tape block format conventions for representing preparatory functions (G-codes) and miscellaneous functions (M-codes) used in NC machine tool programming. The document was intended to promote interchangeability of NC programs and reduce ambiguity between different control systems; the standard was later withdrawn and superseded by a later ISO series for NC program formats.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn.
• Publication date: February 1975 (1975-02).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 25.040.20 (Numerical control of machines).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1975).
• Number of pages: 10 pages.

Scope

ISO 1056:1975 covers the coding of preparatory (G) and miscellaneous (M) functions in punched-tape block formats for NC machines. It provides the symbolic codes, block structure conventions and basic interpretation rules intended for use by machine-tool manufacturers, control-system suppliers and NC program authors to improve program interchangeability across different equipment. The standard was part of early efforts to harmonize NC program formats prior to later consolidated standards.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of G (preparatory) function codes for common machining operations (e.g., motion modes, interpolation, feed selection).
• Definition of M (miscellaneous) function codes for auxiliary and machine-control actions (e.g., spindle on/off, coolant control).
• Punched-tape block format conventions and the structure of program blocks to ensure consistent parsing by NC controls.
• Compatibility notes and references to earlier ISO/R formats that the document replaced or updated.
• Guidance for program interchange between different numerical-control systems and for mapping to later consolidated NC program standards.

Typical use and users

Originally used by NC program authors, machine-tool manufacturers, control-system designers and technical libraries in manufacturing organizations to standardize program codes on punched tape. Today the document is mainly of historical and archival interest because it has been withdrawn and superseded; engineers and historians of CNC/NC technology consult it when researching legacy NC program formats and migrations.

Related standards

ISO 1056:1975 was withdrawn and superseded by standards in the ISO 6983 series (notably ISO 6983-1:1982 and later revisions) that consolidated punched-tape and NC program format rules. It also replaced earlier ISO/R formats from the 1960s. Those successor standards provide a more complete specification for NC data format and program coding.

Keywords

ISO 1056, numerical control, NC, CNC history, punched tape, G-codes, M-codes, block formats, program interchange, ISO 6983.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 1056:1975 is an International Standard titled "Numerical control of machines — Punched tape block formats — Coding of preparatory functions G and miscellaneous functions M" that defined G- and M-code coding and punched-tape block conventions for NC machines.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the symbolic codes for preparatory (G) and miscellaneous (M) functions and the structure of punched-tape program blocks used to represent NC instructions, with the goal of enabling program interchange between different controls.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Historically: NC/CNC programmers, machine-tool and control manufacturers, standards committees and technical libraries. Currently: researchers, archivists and engineers dealing with legacy NC systems or program conversions.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: It is withdrawn. ISO records indicate ISO 1056:1975 was formally withdrawn and superseded by ISO 6983-1 (first issued 1982), so it should be treated as a historical standard rather than a current normative reference.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it was one of several early ISO documents addressing NC program formats; its subject matter was later incorporated into and harmonized by the ISO 6983 series of standards for NC data and program format.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: G-codes, M-codes, punched tape, NC program, numerical control, program block format, CNC history, ISO 6983.