Manual NC Entry Reference

Inventor HSM allows you to insert special manual NC entries in the CAM Browser. These entries can be used to directly control the generated NC code within the NC program. As an example: forcing a tool change that would otherwise not be required. It is fully up to the post processor configuration to make use of these commands in the desired manner.

The currently supported types of manual NC are:

• Action - Send a generic command to the post processor to trigger post specific behavior.
• Alert - Request an alert event on the CNC control. Similar to Alarm but would not result in a failure.
• Alarm - Request an alarm event on the CNC control. Triggers a program failure.
• Calibrate - Request calibration of the CNC machine.
• Call Program - Call subprogram.
• Clean - Request a cleaning cycle.
• Close Door - Requests the door to be closed on the CNC machine.
• Comment - Write a comment in the NC program.
• Force Tool Change - Forces a tool change for the next operation.
• Display Message - Display a message on the CNC control.
• Dwell - Dwell for the given period.
• Measure Tool - Request the selected tool to be measured.
• Open Door - Requests the door to be opened on the CNC machine.
• Optional Stop - Requests an optional stop command (M1 on most ISO controls).
• Pass Through - Passes literal NC code directly through. This is considered unsafe.
• Print Message - Print a message to the output (e.g. serial connection).
• Start Chip Transport - Requests the chip transport be started.
• Stop - Requests a stop command (M0 on most ISO controls).
• Stop Chip Transport - Requests the chip transport be stopped.
• Tool Break Control - Requests the CNC machine to check if the tool is broken or not.
• Verify - Verify integrity of CNC machine.

To insert any one of these entries, click CAM tab Job panel Manual NC from the ribbon. You can also right-click anywhere in the CAM Browser and select New Operation from the pop-up context menu.

Accessing Manual NC from the New Operation context menu

Then select Manual NC from the menu, and choose the appropriate type of NC entry from the Manual type: drop-down menu.

Editing two types of Manual NC entries: Comment and Dwell

Manual NC example in the CAM Browser