YOUR CNC SHOULD ALWAYS SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE

Being able to speak a foreign language is always an advantage and today?s sophisticated CNC machine tool should bring many options to your fingertip, regardless of the protocol.

Programming should be a fast and relatively easy process that puts the machine tool into production, whether on a prototype, short run or full production run. Nowadays, every second counts on every job, as you seek to stay competitive in the markets you sell today and the ones you want to sell tomorrow.

If you have the G-code and M-code background, the higher level CNC offered today can accommodate that method, plus enhance it with more advanced geometric and block function information. You should always be able to call up the most complex machine sequences and intelligent CNC functions with easily readable plain language commands. The days when your program was longer than a grocery list for a family of ten are gone, or should be.

A solid program guide on your CNC should represent an ideal combination of CNC programming language with the parameterization of all technology cycles. With the touch of a button, a programmer should be able to enter the desired parameters and see the machining sequence onscreen immediately.

Typically, your CNC should be able to display in steps all the standard drilling, centering, grooving, pocket milling and other functions. Through automatic linking of these machining sequences, you only need to enter the position pattern once. Then, based on this linking, the CNC derives the optimal machining sequence to save you the most time.

This procedure also helps when you need to restart after an interrupted cycle. Simply putting the cursor on the position pattern, you enter the next step in the sequence or the position number, depending on the language used, and the machine will resume the cycle.

From a cycle display angle, things are just as easy. All geometric elements in the CNC program can be displayed with dynamic broken-line graphics. As the program proceeds, these graphics automatically adapt to the relevant geometric input. Even when elements are altered or added, they can be displayed quickly onscreen without simulation, though you might choose that option as a safeguard.

Furthermore, the combination of ISO language with high-level CNC commands provides both programmer and operator greater flexibility and virtually guarantees shorter machining times. And, since we all live in a world where other CNC programs sometimes need to be run on a machine with a different control, the more advanced CNC has an ISO dialect interpreter. Think of that as your really smart friend who grew up speaking several languages and can quickly and easily translate what?s being said into meaningful terms.

Lastly, look for a CNC editor that?s text-based, including a find-and-replace function that enables you to quickly generate customized CNC programs, using canned technology cycles and your specific input altogether.

If, for example, you?re programming a counter-spindle or sub-spindle on a five-axis machine for sloping surfaces, the machining plane can be rotated just the way you want it, using an integrated swivel cycle, without the need for a CAD system alteration. The CNC should have assorted measuring cycles built-in to ensure the monitoring of workpiece accuracy.

In the end, whatever language you?re speaking, the CNC on your machine should understand it and allow you the fastest setups possible.

Special Note: I?ll be attending IMTS, so stop by the Siemens booth and say hi. Bring your CNC questions, too!

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Randy Pearson is the sales support manager for U.S. dealers and OEMs of Siemens Industry, Inc., Drives Technologies, Motion Control ? Machine Tool Business, 390 Kent Avenue, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007, www.siemenscnc.com.

A veteran of the machine tool industry, his interest is the training aspect on CNC machine tools, which he conducts through seminars and classes at votech schools and shops, and at Siemens training facilities. For questions or comments on this column, contact Randy at 847-640-1595 or [email protected].