Activating and deactivating AFC

NC functions for AFC (option 45)

Application

Adaptive Feed Control (AFC) is activated and deactivated from the NC program.

Requirements

Description of function

  • The control provides several functions that enable you to start and stop AFC:
  • FUNCTION AFC CTRL: The AFC CTRL function activates feedback control mode starting with this NC block, even if the learning phase has not been completed yet.
  • FUNCTION AFC CUT BEGIN TIME1 DIST2 LOAD3: The control starts a sequence of cuts with active AFC. The changeover from the teach-in cut to feedback control mode begins as soon as the reference power has been determined in the teach-in phase, or once one of the TIME, DIST or LOAD conditions has been met.
  • FUNCTION AFC CUT END: The AFC CUT END function deactivates the AFC control.

Input

FUNCTION AFC CTRL

NC programs contained in this User's Manual are suggestions for solutions. The NC programs or individual NC blocks must be adapted before being used on a machine.

  • Change the following contents as needed:
  • Tools
  • Cutting parameters
  • Feed rates
  • Clearance height or safe position
  • Machine-specific positions, e.g. with M91
  • Paths of program calls

Some NC programs depend on the machine kinematics. Adapt these NC programs to your machine kinematics before the first test run.

In addition, test the NC programs using the simulation before the actual program run.

 
Tip

With a program test you determine whether the NC program can be used with the available software options, the active machine kinematics and the current machine configuration.

11 FUNCTION AFC CTRL

; Start AFC in control mode

The NC function includes the following syntax elements:

Syntax element

Meaning

FUNCTION AFC CTRL

Syntax initiator for the start of control mode

FUNCTION AFC CUT

NC programs contained in this User's Manual are suggestions for solutions. The NC programs or individual NC blocks must be adapted before being used on a machine.

  • Change the following contents as needed:
  • Tools
  • Cutting parameters
  • Feed rates
  • Clearance height or safe position
  • Machine-specific positions, e.g. with M91
  • Paths of program calls

Some NC programs depend on the machine kinematics. Adapt these NC programs to your machine kinematics before the first test run.

In addition, test the NC programs using the simulation before the actual program run.

 
Tip

With a program test you determine whether the NC program can be used with the available software options, the active machine kinematics and the current machine configuration.

11 FUNCTION AFC CUT BEGIN TIME10 DIST20 LOAD80

; Start AFC machining step, limit the duration of the teach-in phase

The NC function includes the following syntax elements:

Syntax element

Meaning

FUNCTION AFC CUT

Syntax initiator for an AFC machining step

BEGIN or END

Start or end machining step

TIME

End teach-in phase after the defined time in seconds

Optional syntax element

Only if BEGIN has been selected

DIST

End teach-in phase after the defined distance in mm

Optional syntax element

Only if BEGIN has been selected

LOAD

Enter the reference load of the spindle directly, max. 100%

Optional syntax element

Only if BEGIN has been selected

Notes

 
Notice
Caution: Danger to the tool and workpiece!
If you activate the FUNCTION MODE TURN machining mode, the control will clear the current OVLD values. This means that you need to program the machining mode before the tool call! If the programming sequence is not correct, no tool monitoring will take place, which might result in damage to the tool or workpiece!
  1. Program the FUNCTION MODE TURN machining mode before the tool call
  • The TIME, DIST and LOAD defaults are modally effective. They can be reset by entering 0.
  • Execute the function AFC CUT BEGIN only after the starting rotational speed has been reached. If this is not the case, then the control issues an error message, and the AFC cut is not started.
  • You can define a feedback-control reference power with the AFC LOAD tool table column and the LOAD input in the NC program. You can activate the AFC LOAD value via the tool call and the LOAD value with the FUNCTION AFC CUT BEGIN function.
  • If you program both values, the control will use the value programmed in the NC program!

AFC switch in Program Run operating mode

Application

The AFC switch allows you to activate or deactivate Adaptive Feed Control (AFC) in the Program Run operating mode.

Requirements

  • Adaptive Feed Control (AFC, software option 45)
  • Approved by the machine manufacturer
  • The machine manufacturer uses the optional machine parameter Enable (no. 120001) to define whether you can use AFC.

Description of function

The AFC switch must be activated for the NC functions to have an effect for AFC.

If you do not specifically deactivate AFC using the switch, AFC remains active. The control remembers the setting of the switch even if the control is restarted.

If the AFC switch is active, the control displays an icon in the Positions workspace. In addition to the current setting of the feed rate potentiometer, the control shows the controlled feed value as a percentage (%).

Positions workspace

Notes

 
Notice
Caution: Danger to the tool and workpiece!
As soon as the AFC function is deactivated, the control immediately switches back to the programmed machining feed rate. If AFC decreased the feed rate (e.g. due to wear) before it was deactivated, the control accelerates the feed rate up to the programmed value. This applies regardless of how the function is deactivated (e.g. feed rate potentiometer). This acceleration may result in damages to the tool or the workpiece!
  1. If it is imminent that the feed rate falls below the FMIN value, stop the machining operation (instead of deactivating the AFC function)
  2. Define the overload reaction for cases in which the feed rate falls below the FMIN value
  • If Adaptive Feed Control is active in Control mode, the control internally sets the spindle override to 100 %. This means that you can no longer change the spindle speed.
  • If Adaptive Feed Control is active in Control mode, the control takes over the value from the feed rate override function.
    • Increasing the feed rate override has no influence on the control.
    • If you reduce the feed override with the potentiometer by more than 10% in relation to the position at the start of the program, the control switches AFC off.
    • You can reactivate control with the AFC switch.

    • Potentiometer values of up to 50% always have an effect, even with active control.
  • Mid-program startup is allowed during active feed control. The control takes the cutting number of the startup block in account.