Programming possibilities

Path functions

Use the path functions to program contours.

A workpiece contour consists of several contour elements, such as straight lines and circular arcs. You use path functions, such as straight line L, to program tool movements for these contours.

Fundamentals of path functions

Graphical programming

As an alternative to Klartext programming you can program contours graphically in the Contour graphics workspace.

You can create 2D sketches by drawing lines and arcs and then export the contour to an NC program.

You can import existing contours from an NC program for graphical editing.

Graphical programming

Miscellaneous functions M

You can use miscellaneous functions to control the following actions:

  • Program run (e.g., M0 Program STOP)
  • Machine functions (e.g., M3 Spindle ON clockwise)
  • Contouring behavior of the tool (e.g., M197 Corner rounding)

Miscellaneous Functions

Subprograms and program-section repeats

Subprograms and program-section repeats enable you to program a machining sequence once and then run it as often as necessary.

Program sections that are defined in a label can be directly executed repeatedly as program-section repeats, or can be called as a subprogram at defined locations in the main program.

If you wish to execute a specific NC program section only under certain conditions, you also define this machining sequence as a subprogram.

Within an NC program you can call a separate NC program for execution.

Subprograms and program section repeats with the label LBL

Programming with variables

In an NC program, variables are used as placeholders for numerical values or texts. A numerical value or text is assigned to a variable elsewhere.

In the Q parameter list window, you can see and edit the numerical values and texts of the individual variables.

The Q parameter list window

You can use the variables to program mathematical functions that control program execution or describe a contour.

You can also use variable programming, for example, to save and process measurement results determined by the 3D touch probe during program execution.

Variables: Q, QL, QR and QS parameters

CAM programs

You can also optimize and execute externally created NC programs on the control.

You use CAD (Computer-Aided Design) to create geometric models of the workpieces to be produced.

In a CAM system (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) you then define how the CAD model will be produced. You can use an internal simulation to check the resulting tool paths, which are not control-specific.

With a postprocessor in the CAM system you then generate the control- and machine-specific NC programs. This results not only in programmable path functions, but also in splines (SPL) and straight lines LN with surface normal vectors.

Multiple-Axis Machining