Program formats (Turning)

As Post reads each segment from the part data file, it determine whether the segment is:

• The first segment of the program.
• A tool change.
• A non-tool changing segment.

Using this information, Post outputs the appropriate block (that is, Program Start, Tool Change, or Segment Start) before executing segment data. Only one of these three program formats is used at the beginning of any one segment.

Note: Each definition can include multiple lines, and each line must end with <EOB>.

Program Start

Post outputs lines that are defined in the Program Start format at the beginning of a program. In the Program Start format, general preparatory codes (for example absolute, incremental, and so on) are placed to define the dimension system. The first tool change must also be defined. Functions such as <SPEED>, <SPINDLE> and <COOLANT> status, as well as the first positioning move can be passed to the Post output via <Z-COORD> and <X-COORD> reserved words.

Tool Change

A Tool Change block is output between segments that require a tool change.

This block is output only if the Tool # specification, or Turret selection in FeatureTURN differs from the previous one.

The tool should be positioned to a safe location (index position), before indexing tools.

Functions such as <SPEED>, <SPINDLE> and <COOLANT> status can be passed to the Post output with the first positioning move via the <Z-COORD> and <X-COORD> reserved words.

Segment Start — This is output between non-tool changing segments, and should contain any commands that may change between segments, for example <SPEED> and <COOLANT>.

Segment End — Use this to output cancel codes without having to wait until the next Tool Change or Segment Start Format is called.

Spindle Change — Used when operation switches from one spindle to another.

Empty Format

This format is used on specific machines (such as DMG GMX) that use subroutines and that require an empty routine that is callable if the routine that represents a specific operation is to be skipped. In those cases, this format can be used to generate the empty routine. Usually, however, this routine is left blank.

Program End

This block can be used to:

• turn the Coolant Off;
• position the tool to an endpoint;
• rewind the part program.

The Program End format uses the reserved words <X-RETURN> and <Z-RETURN> to calculate the return to the first index position.