Move formats

Depending on the control, one of two cases is true for these program formats.

• If the CNC requires X, Y, and Z axes motion to be programmed in the same rapid line, then all three reserved words (X, Y, and Z) must be included in the X,Y Rapid Move program format. The Z Rapid Move format must remain empty.
• If the CNC does not allow for X, Y and Z axes motion to be programmed in the same rapid line, then use both formats (the X,Y Rapid Move and Z Rapid Move).

Note: The order in which moves are generated depends upon whether the current Z position is greater, or less than the previous Z position.

Rapid — The Rapid move format defines the output format for rapid positioning moves.

Generally, modality delimiters { } are placed around the <X-COORD> and <Y-COORD> reserved words. This allows the post processor to strip X, or Y from the line when a coordinate is redundant. If the first case is true (see two preceding cases in Move formats), then the <Z-COORD> reserved word must be included.

Z Rapid — This format is used to rapid to the plunge clearance plane in Z. If the first case is true, then the Z Rapid Move format must remain empty. If the second case is true, then the <Z-COORD> reserved word must be included.

Linear — The Linear Move format defines the output format for linear moves. The following reserved words must be defined in this block:

• <X-COORD>
• <Y-COORD>
• <Z-COORD>
• <FEED>
• <MOTION>

Cutter diameter compensation can be turned ON/OFF in this format line via the <COMP-START> reserved word. Some CNC machines may require the use of the vector reserved words <X-VECTOR> and <Y-VECTOR>.

Circular — The method of specifying arc definition is defined in a Circular Move block. The following reserved words are provided as arc modifiers for I, K, or R values:

• <ARC-X>
• <ARC-Y>
• <RADIUS>
• <S-RAD>
• <X-CEN>
• <Z-CEN>

Spindle — This format is not used currently.

Dwell — Format for dwell code output, that is G04U<DWELL><EOB>.

UDF Text — Returns code/comment from a user-defined feature (UDF). <UDF-TEXT> and <UDF-COMMENT> are reserved words that receive text passed from the UDF