Inserting and editing NC functions

Application

The editing of NC programs refers both to the insertion of NC functions as well as their modification. You can also edit NC programs that you previously generated with a CAM system and then transmitted to the control.

Description of function

You can edit NC programs only in the Editor operating mode and in the MDI application.

 
Tip

In the MDI application you edit only the NC program $mdi.h or $mdi_inch.h.

Inserting NC functions

The control provides the following options to insert NC functions:

  • Inserting an NC function directly with keys or buttons
  • You can directly insert frequently needed NC functions, such as path functions, with keys.

  • As an alternative to the keys, the control offers both the screen keyboard as well as the Keyboard workspace in NC input mode.

  • Virtual keyboard of the control bar

  • Inserting an NC function by selecting it
  • You can select all NC functions from the Insert NC function window.

  • The Insert NC function window

  • Inserting an NC function in the text editor
  • In the text editor, the control provides an auto-complete function when programming.

  •  
    Tip

    If text editor mode is active, the Klartext editor toggle switch is to the left and dimmed.

Inserting NC functions

Editing NC functions

The control provides the following options to edit NC functions:

  • Editing an NC function in the Klartext editor mode
  • By default, the control opens newly created and syntactically correct NC programs in the Klartext editor mode.

  • Editing an NC function in the Form column
  • The Form column not only shows the syntax elements selected and used, but also all those that can be used for the current NC function.

  • Editing an NC function in Text editor mode
  • The control tries to correct syntax errors in the NC program automatically. If automatic correction is not possible, the control switches to text editor mode while editing this NC block. You must correct all errors before you can switch to Klartext editor mode.

Editing NC functions

Inserting NC functions

Inserting an NC function directly with keys or buttons

To insert frequently needed NC functions:

    1. Select L
    2. The control creates a new NC block and starts the dialog.
    3. Follow the instructions in the dialog

    Inserting an NC function by selecting it

    To insert a new NC function:

      1. Select Insert NC function
      2. The control opens the Insert NC function window.
      3. Navigate to the desired NC function
      4. The control highlights the selected NC function.

      1. Select Paste
      2. The control creates a new NC block and starts the dialog.
      3. Follow the instructions in the dialog

      Inserting an NC function in the Text editor mode

      To insert an NC function:

      1. Enter any character
      2. The control inserts an NC block.
      3. Depending on the setting of the Autocomplete in text mode toggle switch, the control displays a selection menu with possible syntax initiators.
      4. Settings in the Program workspace

      5. Select the desired syntax initiator
      6. Enter the value as needed
      7. Depending on the setting of the Autocomplete in text mode toggle switch, the control displays a selection menu with possible syntax elements.
      8. Select the desired syntax element

      Editing NC functions

      Editing an NC function in the Klartext editor mode

      To edit an NC function in the Klartext editor mode:

      1. Navigate to the desired NC function
      2. Navigate to the desired syntax element
      3. The control displays alternative syntax elements in the action bar.
      4. Select a syntax element
      5. Define a value, if necessary

      1. Conclude entry (e.g., by pressing END)

      Editing an NC function in the Form column

      If the Klartext editor mode is active, you can also use the Form column.

      To edit an NC function in the Form column:

      1. Navigate to the desired NC function

      1. Show the Form column

      1. Select an alternative syntax element if necessary (e.g., LP instead of L)
      2. If necessary, edit or add the value
      3. If necessary, enter an optional syntax element or select from a list (e.g., miscellaneous function M8)

      1. Complete your input (e.g., with the Confirm button)

      Editing an NC function in the text editor mode

      To edit an existing NC function in the text editor mode:

      1. The control underscores the faulty syntax element with a jagged red line and shows an information symbol before the NC function (e.g., for FMX instead of FMAX).
      2. Navigate to the desired NC function

      1. Select the information symbol as needed
      2. The control displays the corresponding error description.

      1. Close the NC block
      2. The control might open the NC block auto-correction window with a solution proposal.

      1. Apply the proposal to the NC program with Yes or cancel auto-correction.
       
      Tip

      If you are editing an NC block with syntax errors, the only way to cancel editing is to press the ESC key.

      Notes

       
      Notice
      Caution: Data may be lost!
      When you edit NC programs outside the Program workspace, you have no control over whether the control will identify the changes. The changes cannot be undone on the control. This means that any such deletion or altering of data is permanent!
      1. Edit NC programs in the Program workspace only
      • When you are editing an NC function, use the arrows to navigate left and right to the syntax elements, even within cycles. The up and down arrows search for the same syntax element in the rest of the NC program.
      • Searching for the same syntax elements in different NC blocks

      • If you are editing an NC block and haven't saved yet, the Undo and Redo functions affect the individual syntax elements of the NC function.
      • Icons on the control's user interface

      • Press the actual position capture key for the control to open the position display of the status overview. You can copy the current value of an axis into the programming dialog.
      • Status overview on the TNC bar

      • Always write an NC program as if the tool were moving. This makes it irrelevant whether a head axis or a table axis performs the motion.
      • You cannot edit an NC program in the Editor operating mode if this NC program is currently being executed in the Program Run operating mode.
      • In the Klartext editor mode, you can insert line breaks within comments or structuring items.

      Notes on the Text editor mode

      • The control cannot offer solution proposals in all cases.
      • The text editor mode supports all navigation possibilities of the Program workspace. But you can work more quickly in the text editor mode by using gestures or a mouse, since then you can select the information symbol directly, for example.
      • Using the Program workspace

      • In Text editor mode, you can insert line breaks anywhere in your text. If you later edit the NC functions in the Klartext editor mode, the control will remove the line breaks after saving. The line breaks will be preserved in comments and structuring items even after editing.
      • When you program a cycle using the active auto-complete function, you can select the Only downwardly-compatible cycle parameters or With optional cycle parameters option.
      • When you select Only downwardly-compatible cycle parameters, you can add optional cycle parameters later on. For this purpose, insert a line break after the last line.

      • General information on cycles