Freely definable tables *.tab

Application

Freely definable tables can be read to from an NC program, and the program can also write any information to these tables. The NC functions FN 26 to FN 28 are available for this purpose.

Description of function

When you create a freely definable table, the control will provide various table templates for selection.

The machine manufacturers can create their own table templates and store them in the control.

After you have created a freely definable table, you can modify its properties. you modify the table properties in the LAYOUT application.

In the LAYOUT application, the control shows the columns of the table row by row.

Freely definable table in the LAYOUT application
Freely definable table in the Table workspace

Properties of a table column

When you change any table properties, each column has the following properties:

Column

Meaning

Name

Name of the column

Width

Maximum number of characters in the column

Default

Default value of each new row

Optional input

Type

The control offers the following possible selections in the Type column:

  • TEXT: Text entry
  • SIGN: Algebraic sign + or –
  • BIN: Binary number
  • DEC: Positive integer
  • HEX: Hexadecimal number
  • INT: Integer
  • LENGTH: Floating-point number (mm or inch)
  •  
    Tip

    If you write values from an inch program to a freely definable table, the control converts the values.

  •  
    Tip

    If the unit of measure is inches, then the column has one more decimal place than you define.

  • FEED: Feed rate (mm/min or 0.1 ipm)
  • IFEED: Feed rate (mm/min or ipm)
  •  
    Tip

    If the unit of measure is inches, then the column has one more decimal place than you define.

  • FLOAT: Floating-point number
  • BOOL: Logical value
  • INDEX: Index
  • TSTAMP: Time and date with the format HH:MM:SS DD.MM.YYYY
  • UPTEXT: Text entry in capital letters
  • PATHNAME: Path name
 
Tip

In the columns with the data types BIN, DEC or HEX you can enter the values as binary numbers, positive integers or hexadecimal numbers. The control converts the entered values into the column's respective data type.

Precision

Maximum number of decimal places

Modifying the properties of freely definable tables

To insert a new column:

  1. Open an empty freely definable table

  1. Select Edit table characteristics
  2. The control opens the LAYOUT application.

  1. Activate Edit

  1. Select Insert rows
  2. The control opens the Insert rows window.
  3. Enter the Column name
  4. Select Column type
  5. The control displays a selection menu.
  6.  
    Tip

    You cannot change the column name or column type later.

  7. Select the desired column type
  8. Properties of a table column

  1. Select OK
  2. The control inserts a new row at the end of the table.

  1. In the Width column you define the maximum number of characters per column (e.g., 12).
  2. Define a value in the Default if needed.
  3. In the Precision column you define the number of decimal places (e.g., 3).

  1. Select Save changes
  2. The control opens the Save layout changes window.

  1. Select OK
  2. The control closes the LAYOUT application.

Notes

  • The names of tables and table columns must start with a letter and must not contain an arithmetic operator (e.g., +). Due to SQL commands, these characters can cause problems when data are input or read.
  • Table access with SQL statements

  • The sequence of columns in the Table workspace is independent of the sequence of rows in the LAYOUT application. You can edit the sequence of columns in the Table workspace.
  • Settings in the Table workspace