Block scan for mid-program startup

Application

With the BLOCK SCAN function you can start an NC program at any desired NC block. The control will arithmetically account for workpiece machining up to this NC block. For example, the control will switch on the spindle before the start.

Requirement

  • The function must be enabled by your machine manufacturer.
  • The Block scan function must be enabled and configured by your machine manufacturer.

Description of function

  • If the NC program was interrupted under the following conditions, the control saves the interruption point:
  • Internal stop button
  • Emergency stop
  • Power failure

If, while restarting, the control finds a saved point of interruption, then it outputs a message. You can then execute a block scan directly to the point of interruption. The control displays the message when you switch to Program Run operating mode for the first time.

At the start of the block scan, the control resets the data, as with a selection of a new NC program. During a block scan you can activate or deactivate Single Block mode.

Block scan window

AS_6_24_11_Satzvorlauf_Unterbrechungspos_PGM_1_Bohren_drilling
Block scan window with the interruption point saved and the Point table area opened

The Block scan window provides the following data:

Row

Meaning

Pallet number

Row number in the pallet table

Program

Path of the active NC program

Block number

Number of the NC block at which program run should start

Use the search icon to select the NC block in the NC program.

Repetitions

Number of the repetition for mid-program startup if the desired NC block is located within a program-section repeat.

Last pallet number

Pallet number that is active at the time of interruption

Select the interruption point by using the Select last button.

Last program

Path of the NC program that is active at the time of interruption

Select the interruption point by using the Select last button.

Last block

Number of the NC block that was active at the time of interruption

Select the interruption point by using the Select last button.

Point file

Path of the point table

In the Point table area

Point number

Row in the point table

In the Point table area

Performing a single-level block scan

  1. To start in an NC program by using a single-level block scan:
AutomaticMainIcon

  1. Select the Program Run operating mode
SF_6_Satzvorlauf

  1. Select Block scan
  2. The control opens the Block scan window. The fields Program, Block number and Repetitions contain the current values.

  1. Enter the Program as needed
  2. Enter the Block number
  3. Enter the Repetitions as needed
SF_6_Satzvorlauf_Letzten_Waehlen

  1. If required, use Select last to start at a saved interruption point
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  1. Press the NC Start key
  2. The control starts the block scan and calculates up to the entered NC block.
  3. If you have changed the machine status, the control displays the Restore machine status window.
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  1. Press the NC Start key
  2. The control restores the machine status (e.g., TOOL CALL or M functions).
  3. If you have changed the axis positions, the control displays the Axis sequence for return to contour: window.
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  1. Press the NC Start key
  2. Using the displayed positioning logic, the control moves to the required positions.
  3.  
    Tip

    You can also position the axes individually in a self-selected sequence.

    Positioning the axes in a self-selected sequence

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  1. Press the NC Start key
  2. The control resumes execution of the NC program.

Performing a multi-level block scan

If you, for example, start in a subprogram that is called several times by the main program, then use the multi-level block scan. For this, you first go to the desired subprogram call and then continue the block scan. The same procedure is used for called NC programs.

  1. To start in an NC program by using a multi-level block scan:
AutomaticMainIcon

  1. Select the Program Run operating mode
SF_6_Satzvorlauf

  1. Select Block scan
  2. The control opens the Block scan window. The fields Program, Block number and Repetitions contain the current values.

  1. Perform a block scan to the first start-up point:
  2. Performing a single-level block scan

SF_6_Einzelsatz

  1. Activate the Single Block switch as needed
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  1. Press the NC Start key to execute individual NC blocks as needed
SF_6_Satzvorlauf_Fortsetzen

  1. Select Continue block scan

  1. Define the NC block for mid-program startup
679843_56

  1. Press the NC Start key
  2. The control starts the block scan and calculates up to the entered NC block.
  3. If you have changed the machine status, the control displays the Restore machine status window.
679843_56

  1. Press the NC Start key
  2. The control restores the machine status (e.g., TOOL CALL or M functions).
  3. If you have changed the axis positions, the control displays the Axis sequence for return to contour: window.
679843_56

  1. Press the NC Start key
  2. Using the displayed positioning logic, the control moves to the required positions.
  3.  
    Tip

    You can also position the axes individually in a self-selected sequence.

    Positioning the axes in a self-selected sequence

SF_6_Satzvorlauf_Fortsetzen

  1. Select Continue block scan again as needed
  2. Repeat the steps
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  1. Press the NC Start key
  2. The control resumes execution of the NC program.

Block scan in point tables

  1. To start in a point table:
AutomaticMainIcon

  1. Select the Program Run operating mode
SF_6_Satzvorlauf

  1. Select Block scan
  2. The control opens the Block scan window. The fields Program, Block number and Repetitions contain the current values.

  1. Select Point table
  2. The control opens the Point table area.

  1. Point file: Enter the path of the point table
  2. Point number: Select the row number of the point table for mid-program startup
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  1. Press the NC Start key
  2. The control starts the block scan and calculates up to the entered NC block.
  3. If you have changed the machine status, the control displays the Restore machine status window.
679843_56

  1. Press the NC Start key
  2. The control restores the machine status (e.g., TOOL CALL or M functions).
  3. If you have changed the axis positions, the control displays the Axis sequence for return to contour: window.
679843_56

  1. Press the NC Start key
  2. Using the displayed positioning logic, the control moves to the required positions.
  3.  
    Tip

    You can also position the axes individually in a self-selected sequence.

    Positioning the axes in a self-selected sequence

 
Tip

If you would like to use the block scan function to start in a point pattern, then use the same procedure. Define the desired point for mid-program startup in the Point number field. The first point in the point pattern has the number 0.

Cycles for pattern definition

Block scan in pallet tables

  1. To start in a pallet table:
AutomaticMainIcon

  1. Select the Program Run operating mode
SF_6_Satzvorlauf

  1. Select Block scan
  2. The control opens the Block scan window.

  1. Pallet number: Enter the row number of the pallet table

  1. Enter the Program as needed
  2. Enter the Block number
  3. Enter the Repetitions as needed
SF_6_Satzvorlauf_Letzten_Waehlen

  1. If required, use Select last to start at a saved interruption point
679843_56

  1. Press the NC Start key
  2. The control starts the block scan and calculates up to the entered NC block.
  3. If you have changed the machine status, the control displays the Restore machine status window.
679843_56

  1. Press the NC Start key
  2. The control restores the machine status (e.g., TOOL CALL or M functions).
  3. If you have changed the axis positions, the control displays the Axis sequence for return to contour: window.
679843_56

  1. Press the NC Start key
  2. Using the displayed positioning logic, the control moves to the required positions.
  3.  
    Tip

    You can also position the axes individually in a self-selected sequence.

    Positioning the axes in a self-selected sequence

 
Tip

If the program run of a pallet table has been canceled, the control will suggest the most recently selected NC block of the most recently executed NC program as a point of interruption.

Notes

 
Notice
Danger of collision!
If you select an NC block in program run using the GOTO function and then execute the NC program, the control ignores all previously programmed NC functions, e.g. transformations. This means that there is a risk of collision during subsequent traversing movements!
  1. Use GOTO only when programming and testing NC programs
  2. Only use Block scan when executing NC programs
 
Notice
Danger of collision!
The Block scan function skips over the programmed touch probe cycles. As a result, the result parameters contain no values or, possibly, incorrect values. If the subsequent machining operation uses these result parameters, then there is a risk of collision!
  1. Use the Block scan function at multiple levels
  • The control only displays the dialogs required by the process in the pop-up window.
  • A Block scan always takes place in a workpiece-oriented manner, even if you selected a tool-oriented machining method. After the block scan, the control continues working again in accordance with the selected machining method.
  • Tool-oriented machining

  • Even after an internal stop, the control shows the number of repetitions on the LBL tab of the Status workspace.
  • LBL tab

  • The Block scan function must not be used in conjunction with the following functions:
    • Touch probe cycles 0, 1, 3, and 4 during the block scan search phase
  • HEIDENHAIN recommends switching the spindle on with M3 or M4 after every tool call. That way you avoid problems during program run, such as when restarting after an interruption.