Cutter compensation

Cutter compensation is handled by XBUILD, and can be configured several ways, depending upon the CNC requirements.

Case 1

The most common configuration is to turn compensation On in the first X-Y feed move of the cutter path, and turn compensation Off in the last X-Y feed move. If the aforementioned configuration is used, then define the Linear Move program format as follows:

{N<SEQ>}{<COMP-STAT>}{<MOTION>}
{X<X-COORD>}{Y<Y-COORD>}
{Z<Z-COORD>}{F<FEED>}<EOB>

Note: If it is necessary to output the vector direction of the next move (for Cincinnati Milacron controls only), use the <X-VECTOR> and <Y-VECTOR> reserved words.

Case 2

Other configurations may require the X and Y coordinates to be repeated as compensation is turned On. In that case, establish a conditional statement so that these repeated coordinates do not appear in every linear move of the cutter path. A conditional statement for a Linear Move program format is as follows:

<IF><COMP-ON><THEN>
{N<SEQ>}<COMP-STAT>X<$X-COORD>
Y<$Y-COORD><EOB>
<ENDIF>
{N<SEQ>}{<COMP-STAT>}{<MOTION>}
{X<X-COORD>}{Y<Y-COORD>}
{Z<Z-COORD>}{F<FEED>}<EOB>

The $ symbol is a reserved words modifier to generate the previous values of X and Y (to represent the current position of the tool). The <X-COORD> and <Y-COORD> reserved words always represent the next point in the cutter path.