Basics

Application

You can use the Q, QL, QR and QS parameter variables of the control to perform calculations in an NC program, for example.

  • For instance, you can program the following syntax elements variably:
  • Coordinate values
  • Feed rates
  • Spindle speeds
  • Cycle data

Description of function

8H000169

Q parameters are always identified with letters and numbers. The letters determine the type of Q parameter and the numbers the Q parameter range.

You can define which parameters the control displays on the QPARA tab of the Status workspace for each variable type.

Defining the contents of the QPARA tab

Variable types

The control provides the following variables for numerical values:

Q parameter type

Q parameter range

Meaning

Q parameters:

Parameters affect all NC programs in the control’s memory

0 to 99

Parameters for the user, if there are no overlaps with the HEIDENHAIN-SL cycles

 
Tip

These parameters have a local effect within macros and OEM cycles. This means that changes are not returned to the NC program.

For this reason, use the Q parameter range 1200 to 1399 for OEM cycles!

100 to 199

Parameters for special functions on the control that can be read by NC programs of the user or by cycles

200 to 1199

Parameters primarily used for HEIDENHAIN cycles

1200 to 1399

Parameters primarily used for OEM cycles

1400 to 1999

Parameters for users

QL parameters:

Parameters only effective locally within an NC program

0 to 499

Parameters for users

QR parameters:

Parameters are retained in all NC programs in the control’s memory, including after a power interruption

0 to 99

Parameters for users

100 to 199

Parameters for HEIDENHAIN functions (e.g., cycles)

200 to 499

Parameters for the machine manufacturer (e.g., cycles)

In addition, the control provides QS parameters for alphanumeric values, e.g. texts:

Q parameter type

Q parameter range

Meaning

QS parameters:

Parameters affect all NC programs in the control’s memory

0 to 99

Parameters for the user, where no overlaps with the HEIDENHAIN SL cycles are present

 
Tip

These parameters have a local effect within macros and OEM cycles. This means that changes are not returned to the NC program.

For this reason, use the QS parameter range 200 to 499 for OEM cycles!

100 to 199

Parameters for special functions on the control that can be read by NC programs of the user or by cycles

200 to 1199

Parameters primarily used for HEIDENHAIN cycles

1200 to 1399

Parameters primarily used for OEM cycles

1400 to 1999

Parameters for users

Q parameter list window

In the Q parameter list window, you can see and edit the current values of all variables defined in the control.

AS_6_24_Q-Parameterliste
Q parameter list window, showing the Q parameter values

In the left-hand panel, you can select the variable type to be displayed.

  • The control displays the following information:
  • Variable type, e.g. Q parameter
  • Number of the variable
  • Value of variable
  • Description in case of pre-assigned variables

If the field in the Value column is displayed with a white background, you can enter a value or edit the existing value.

 
Tip

While the control is executing an NC program, you cannot edit the variables using the Q parameter list window. Changes are only possible while a program run has been interrupted or aborted.

Status overview on the control bar

This status is reached after an NC block has been executed, for example in the Single Block mode

  • The following Q and QS parameters cannot be edited in the Q parameter list window:
  • Parameters with numbers in the range from 100 to 199, because there might be interferences with special functions in the control.
  • Parameters with numbers in the range from 1200 to 1399, because there might be interferences with machine manufacturer-specific functions.

Variable types

You can select the NR or Value columns and then enter the desired string. The control will search the selected column for this string.

  • You can open the Q parameter list window in the following operating modes:
  • Editor
  • Manual
  • Program Run

In the Manual and Program Run operating modes, the window can be opened with the Q key.

Notes

 
Notice
Danger of collision!
HEIDENHAIN cycles, machine manufacturer cycles and third-party functions use variables. You can also program variables within NC programs. If you do not use only the recommended variable ranges when using variables, this can lead to overlaps (interactions) and therefore to undesirable behavior. Danger of collision during machining!
  1. Only use variable ranges recommended by HEIDENHAIN
  2. Comply with the documentation from HEIDENHAIN, the machine manufacturer and third-party providers
  3. Check the machining sequence using the simulation
  • You can enter fixed and variable values mixed in the NC program.
  • You can assign a maximum of 255 characters to QS parameters.
  • You can use the Q key to create an NC block to assign a value to a variable. If you press the key again, the control changes the variable type in the order Q, QL, QR.
  • On the virtual keyboard, this procedure only works with the Q key in the NC functions area.

    Virtual keyboard of the control bar

  • Q parameters can be assigned numerical values between -999 999 999 and +999 999 999. The input range is limited to 16 digits, of which 9 may be before the decimal point. Internally the control calculates numbers up to a value of 1010.
  • You can reset Q parameters to the status Undefined. If a position is programmed with a Q parameter that is undefined, the control ignores this movement.
  • Setting a variable to undefined

  • You must not use preassigned Q parameters (QS parameters) between Q100 and Q199 (QS100 and QS199) as calculation parameters in the NC programs.
  • Preassigned Q parameters

  • The control saves numerical values internally in a binary number format (standard IEEE 754). Due to the standardized format used, the control does not represent some decimal numbers with a binary number that is 100% exact (round-off error). If you use calculated variable contents for jump commands or positioning moves, you must take this into consideration.

Notes on QR parameters and backup

The control saves QR parameters within a backup.

If the machine manufacturer did not define a specific path, the control will save the QR parameter values in the following path: SYS:\runtime\sys.cfg. This partition will only be backed up in full backups.

  • Machine manufacturers can use the following optional machine parameters to specify the paths:
  • pathNcQR (no. 131201)
  • pathSimQR (no. 131202)

If the machine manufacturer used the optional machine parameters to specify a path on the TNC partition, you can perform a backup with the NC/PLC Backup functions without entering a code number.

Backup and restore