With most user-created canned cycle applications for custom macro, you must provide a starting position from which the custom macro will begin its operation. In many cases, this leads to some redundancy in programming because the cutting tool may already be in the starting position prior to the G65 command that calls the custom macro.
The primary reason companies perform preventive maintenance on their production equipment is to minimize, if not eliminate, unpredicted downtime. Potential problems should be corrected before they cause machine components to fail.
Every company I’ve visited has at least some unwritten rules. These rules are related to things that experienced CNC people sometimes take for granted. Certain company methods may be considered so basic and obvious that there is no need to document them—or even to talk about them.
Custom macro B users tend to struggle with the concept that variables can be vacant. To fully master custom macro B, you must understand the concept of vacancy and its implications.
Regardless of how tool changes are actually made, it is imperative that the cutting tool currently in the spindle matches the program segment that uses the tool.
Constant surface speed (specified by G96 on most machines) is a turning center feature that automatically determines the appropriate spindle speed in revolutions per minute (rpm). This article details the advantages and disadvantages of using this feature.
In most applications, offsets are so dynamic (often changed) that that you wouldn’t even consider keeping a backup copy. But consider a more complicated machining center qualified setup. A backup copy may prove to be beneficial.
With custom macro B, there are two logic words that can be used for creating loops—the two types of loops are called IF and WHILE statement loops. So which one should you use for your applications?
Counterboring is a machining operation that will enlarge an existing hole’s diameter to a specified depth. Traditionally, counterboring is done with either a special counterboring tool that has a pilot, or it is done with an end mill. In either case, the diameter of the tool (end mill or counterbore) must match the diameter that is counterbored.
As you probably know, parameters control many functions of a CNC. Just about every CNC function has at least one related parameter setting—everything from setting initialized states at power-up to determining the specific procedure required for powering down is controlled by parameter settings.