Programming




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JOBSHOP PROGRAMMING MODES

The TopTurn and TopMill offer different jobshop programming modes. It is possible to switch over from any of these modes to another while programming in order to suit the task at hand. These modes are:

    Interactive programming
    Use of an NC editor
    Dialog mode programming
    Use of a geometry editor
    Teach-in operation

In interactive programming, NC editing and automatic mode are used in combination. Once an NC block or cycle has been programmed, the corresponding machining procedure is simulated, thus allowing immediate testing of an NC block by simulation at the input stage. After each block input the programmer can decide if he wants to accept or to modify the block. This permits an intermediate NC block verification after the user input (e.g collision texts and workpart measuring).

Dialog programming mode provides easy input of complex machining operations. One or several related input screens being filled in by the user with graphical assistance. The input is checked for validity of combinations, value ranges and alternatives with logical combination functions.

Dialog programming can be used to create and edit NC programs in the respective programming code without having to resort to explicit editing of NC blocks. Dialog steps are selected individually, starting from the overview of the machining functions arranged in a tree structure.

The Geometry editor makes programming of even the most complex contours easy and requires no separate mathematical mathematical alculations. The dimensions taken from the drawings are entered in the dialog and are then converted to contour path commands (extensions to the standard ISO/DIN command set). The transition points, circle centers, roundings and chamfers are calculated automatically during this procedure. If there is a control programming code which does not have a contour programming, the contours will be automatically converted in the corresponding ISO movements consisting of straight lines (G1) and circle segments (G2/G3).

The most efficient method of creating a program is to combine dialog programming with the geometry editor and interactive programming, whereby the NC editor can be used to display the resulting NC program at any time.

In teach-in mode, the workpiece can be machined under manual control. The resulting tool paths are translated into ISO/DIN commands (G00 and G01) and then inserted into the NC program. The machining is done with cursor keys orby virtual handwheel. As practical application teach-in-mode can be used for facing or for first roughing operations.