Cutting data
Application
The cutting data consist of spindle speed S or alternatively constant cutting speed VC and feed rate F.
Description of function
Spindle speed S
The spindle speed S can be defined in the following ways:
- Tool call with TOOL CALL
- S button in the Manual operation application
The spindle speed S is defined as spindle revolutions per minute (rpm).
Alternatively, the constant cutting speed VC in meters per minute (m/min) can be defined.
Effect
The spindle speed or the cutting speed is active until a new spindle speed or cutting speed is defined in a TOOL CALL NC block.
Potentiometers
The speed potentiometer allows varying the spindle speed between 0% and 150% while the program is running. The speed potentiometer setting is active only for machines with infinitely variable spindle drive. The maximum spindle speed depends on the machine.
Status displays
The control displays the current spindle speed in the following workspaces:
- The Positions workspace
- The POS tab of the Status workspace
Feed rate F
The feed rate F can be defined in the following ways:
- Tool call with TOOL CALL
- Positioning block
- F button in the Manual operation application
The feed rate for linear axes is defined in millimeters per minute (mm/min).
The feed rate for rotary axes is defined in degrees per minute (°/min).
The feed rate can be defined with an accuracy of three decimal places.
Alternatively, the feed rate can be defined in the NC program or in a tool call in the following units:
- Feed rate per tooth FZ in mm/tooth
FZ defines the path in millimeters that the tool covers per tooth.
- Tip
When using FZ, the number of teeth must be defined in the CUT column of the tool management.
- Feed rate per revolution FU in mm/rev
FU defines the path in millimeters that the tool covers per spindle revolution.
The feed rate defined in a TOOL CALL can be called up within the NC program, using F AUTO.
The feed rate defined in the NC program is active up to the NC block in which a new feed rate is programmed.
F MAX
If you define F MAX, the control moves at rapid traverse. F MAX is non-modal, i.e., it is active only in the block where it is called. Starting with the subsequent NC block, the last previously defined feed rate is active again. The maximum feed rate depends on the machine and may depend on the axis.
F AUTO
If you defined a feed rate in a TOOL CALL block, this feed rate can be used in the next positioning blocks, using F AUTO.
F button in the Manual operation application
- If you enter F=0, then the feed rate that the machine manufacturer has defined as minimum feed rate is active
- If the feed rate you entered exceeds the maximum value that has been defined by the machine manufacturer, then the value defined by the machine manufacturer is active
Potentiometer
The feed-rate potentiometer allows varying the feed rate between 0% and 150% while the program is running. The setting of the feed-rate potentiometer is active only for the programmed feed rate. As long as the programmed feed rate has not yet been reached, the feed-rate potentiometer has no effect.
Status displays
The control displays the current feed rate in mm/min in the following workspaces:
- The Positions workspace
- The POS tab of the Status workspace
- Tip
In the Manual operation application, the control displays the feed rate with decimal places on the POS tab. The control displays the feed rate with a total of six decimal places.
- The control displays the contouring feed rate as follows:
- If 3D ROT is active, the contouring feed rate is displayed if multiple axes are moving
- If 3D ROT is inactive, the feed-rate display remains empty when more than one axis is moved simultaneously
- If a handwheel is active, the control shows the contouring feed rate during program run.
Notes
- In inch programs, the feed rate must be defined in 1/10 inch/min.
- Make sure to program rapid traverse movements exclusively with the FMAX NC function instead of entering extremely high numerical values. This is the only way to ensure that rapid traverse is active on a block-by-block basis and that you can control rapid traverse independently of the machining feed rate.
- When positioning an axis, the control checks whether the defined speed has been reached. The control does not check the speed in positioning blocks where FMAX is the feed rate.