Preset management

Application

The preset management allows setting and activating single presets. The presets to be saved may include, for example, the position and misalignment of a workpiece in the preset table. The active row in the preset table is used as a workpiece preset in the NC program and as the coordinate origin of the workpiece coordinate system W-CS.

Presets in the machine

Use the preset management in the following cases:

  • To tilt the working plane of a machine with table or head rotation axes (#8 / #1-01-1)
  • To work on a machine with a head change system
  • To machine several workpieces that are clamped at different misaligned positions
  • If REF-based datum tables were used on previous control models

Description of function

Setting presets

Presets can be set in the following ways:

If you try to write a value in a write-protected preset table row, the control cancels this process with an error message. Write-protection for this row must be rescinded first.

Removing write protection

Setting a preset with milling cutters

If no workpiece touch probe is available, the preset can also be set by using a milling cutter. In this case, the values are not obtained by probing, but by scratching.

When scratching with a milling cutter, the tool is slowly moved to the workpiece edge in the Manual operation application while the spindle is rotating.

As soon as the tool produces chips on the workpiece, the preset is manually set in the desired axis.

Setting a preset manually

Activating presets

 
Notice
Caution: Significant property damage!
Undefined fields in the preset table behave differently from fields defined with the value 0: Fields defined with the value 0 overwrite the previous value when activated, whereas with undefined fields the previous value is kept. If the previous value is kept, there is a danger of collision!
  1. Before activating a preset, check whether all columns contain values.
  2. For undefined columns, enter values (e.g., 0)
  3. As an alternative, have the machine manufacturer define 0 as the default value for the columns

Presets can be activated in the following ways:

When activating a preset, the control resets the following transformations:

  • Datum shift with the TRANS DATUM function
  • Mirroring with the TRANS MIRROR function or Cycle 8 MIRRORING
  • Rotation with the TRANS ROTATION function or Cycle 10 ROTATION
  • Scaling with the TRANS SCALE function or Cycle 11 SCALING FACTOR
  • Axis-specific scaling with Cycle 26 AXIS-SPECIFIC SCALING

Tilting the working plane by using PLANE functions or Cycle 19 WORKING PLANE will not be reset by the control.

Basic rotation and 3D basic rotation

The SPA, SPB and SPC columns define a spatial angle for orienting the workpiece coordinate system W-CS. This spatial angle defines the basic rotation or 3D basic rotation of the preset.

Workpiece coordinate system W-CS

When a rotation around the tool axis is defined, the preset contains a basic rotation (e.g., SPC for tool axis Z). If one of the remaining columns is defined, the preset contains a 3D basic rotation. If the workpiece preset contains a basic rotation or 3D basic rotation, the control takes these values into account when executing an NC program.

You can use the 3D ROT (#8 / #1-01-1) button to define whether the control takes a basic rotation or 3D basic rotation into account in the Manual operation application.

The 3-D rotation window (#8 / #1-01-1)

When a basic rotation or 3D basic rotation is active, the control displays a symbol in the Positions workspace.

Active functions

Setting a preset manually

The Set a preset window in the Positions workspace

When setting the preset manually, the values can be written either in row 0 of the preset table or in the active row.

To set a preset manually in an axis:

    1. Select the Manual operation application in the Manual operating mode

    1. Open the Positions workspace
    2. Traverse the tool to the desired position (e.g., for scratching)

    1. Select the row of the desired axis
    2. The control opens the Set a preset window.

    1. Enter the value of the current axis position, relating to the new preset (e.g., 0)
    2. The control activates the Preset 0 and Active preset buttons for selection.

    1. Select an option (e.g., Active preset)
    2. The control saves the value in the selected preset table row and closes the Set a preset window.
    3. The control updates the values in the Positions workspace.
     
    Tip
    • The Set the preset button in the function bar opens the Set a preset window for the row marked in green.
    • When selecting Preset 0, the control automatically activates row 0 of the preset table as the workpiece preset.
    • Use the +, -, *, /, (, and ) keys for calculations in the numerical input fields.

    Activating a preset manually

     
    Notice
    Caution: Significant property damage!
    Undefined fields in the preset table behave differently from fields defined with the value 0: Fields defined with the value 0 overwrite the previous value when activated, whereas with undefined fields the previous value is kept. If the previous value is kept, there is a danger of collision!
    1. Before activating a preset, check whether all columns contain values.
    2. For undefined columns, enter values (e.g., 0)
    3. As an alternative, have the machine manufacturer define 0 as the default value for the columns

    To activate a preset manually:

      1. Select the Tables operating mode

      1. Select the Presets application
      2. Select the desired row

      1. Select Activate the preset
      2. The control activates the preset.
      3. The control displays the number and comment of the active preset in the Positions workspace and in the status overview.

      Description of function

      Status overview on the TNC bar

      Notes

      • In the optional machine parameter initial (no. 105603), the machine manufacturer defines a default value for every column of a new row.
      • In the optional machine parameter CfgPresetSettings (no. 204600), the machine manufacturer can block the setting of a preset in individual axes.
      • When setting a preset, the positions of the rotary axes must match the tilting situation in the 3-D rotation window (#8 / #1-01-1). If the rotary axes are positioned differently than is defined in the 3-D rotation window, then, by default, the control aborts with an error message.
      • The 3-D rotation window (#8 / #1-01-1)

      • In the optional machine parameter chkTiltingAxes (no. 204601) the machine manufacturer defines the control reaction.

      • When scratching a workpiece with the radius of a milling cutter, the radius value must be taken into account in the preset.
      • Even if the current preset contains a basic rotation or a 3D basic rotation, the PLANE RESET function will position the rotary axes at 0° in the MDI application.
      • The MDI Application

      • The control may feature a pallet preset table, depending on the machine. When a pallet preset is active, the presets in the preset table are referenced to this pallet preset.
      • Pallet preset table