Manual
Table Of Contents
- Controls of the 3500i
- Manual Information
- Introduction
- Machining Fundamentals
- Manual Data Input
- Tool Management
- 4.1 Tool Table
- 4.2 Tool Data
- Program Management
- Conversational Editing
- Programming: Canned Cycles, sub-programs
- 7.1 Explaining Basic Cycles
- Round/Chamfer
- Rapid
- Line
- Arc
- Dwell:
- Plane Selection
- Reference Point Return:
- Fixture Offset (Work Coordinate System Select):
- Unit (Inch/MM)
- Dimension (Abs/Inc)
- Absolute Zero Set
- Block Form
- Temporary Path Tolerance
- System Data
- FeedRate
- FeedRate (4th-Axis)
- Spindle RPM
- M - Functions
- Tool Definition and Activation
- Repeat Blocks
- 7.2 Canned Cycles
- 7.3 Probing Cycles
- 7.4 Sub-programs
- 7.1 Explaining Basic Cycles
- Drawing Programs
- Running a Program on the Machine
- CAM: Programming
- 10.1 CAM Programming
- CAM Mode
- Recommended CAM Programming Sequence
- CAM Mode Mouse Operations
- CAM Mode Screen
- Activating CAM Mode
- Creating a New Program
- Tool Path Data Input
- Quick Coordinate Entry
- Job Setup: Basic tab
- Job Setup: Advanced tab
- Comment Tab
- Block Form: Basic tab
- Comment Tab
- Drilling Cycle:
- Drilling dialogue:
- Mill Cycle
- Pocket Cycle
- Pocket Finish Cycles
- Engraving Cycle
- Program Directive
- Modifying Toolbar
- Viewing Tools
- CAM Mode buttons
- CAM Setup
- Geometry
- DXF Import Feature
- Modifying Tools
- Shapes
- Tool Table
- Tool Paths
- CAM Example 1
- CAM Example 2
- 10.1 CAM Programming
- G-Code Edit, Help, & Advanced Features
- 11.1 G-Code Program Editing
- 11.2 G-Code and M-Code Definitions
- 11.3 Edit Help
- 11.4 Advanced Programming
- SPEED
- M - Functions
- Order of Execution
- Programming Non-modal Exact Stop:
- In-Position Mode (Exact Stop Check):
- Contouring Mode (Cutting Mode) :
- Setting Stroke Limit:
- Return from Reference Point:
- Move Reference from Machine Datum:
- Modifiers
- Block Separators
- Tool Offset Modification
- Expressions and Functions
- System Variables
- User Variables
- Variable Programming (Parametric Programming)
- Probe Move (G31)
- Conditional Statements
- Short Form Addressing
- Logical and Comparative Terms
- File Inclusion
- 11.5 Four Axis Programming
- Software Update
- Off-Line Software

158 7 Programming: Canned Cycles, sub-programs
7.2 Canned Cycles
Milling Cycles
Mill Cycle
The Mill Cycle is intended for contour milling operations. Tool
diameter compensation, Z Pecking, Finish Stock, RoughFeed, and
FinishFeed are supported. The cycle rapids to the XY start point
(compensated, if ToolComp "D" parameter is used) rapid to the start
height and then feed to the ZDepth (Z) or DepthCut (B) using the
ZFeed (I). Subsequent milling blocks are then executed using the
ToolComp (D) parameter and Feed specified. The feedrate can be
changed in the blocks that are being milled. Tool diameter
compensation cannot be changed from within the cycle. The cycle
is terminated with the EndMill (G176) block; at which point, it rapids
up to the StartHgt (H) and rapids to the X and Y location specified. If
X and Y are not specified the tool remains in the current position.
Activate a tool prior to Mill Cycle so the CNC knows the
tool diameter.
If the "D" parameter is used for tool diameter
compensation, the lines of code in the mill cycle must start
with an uncompensated ramp-on move and end with an
uncompensated ramp-off move as the first and last lines
in the mill cycle are not automatically compensated by the
cycle.
Field Code Description
XStart X X coordinate of the start of the contour. If
no coordinate is provided, default is set to
the present position. (Uncompensated)
YStart Y Y coordinate of the start of the contour. If
no coordinate is provided, default is set to
present position. (Uncompensated). Move
XStart and YStart below ZDepth.
StartHgt H Absolute Z position to which the CNC
rapids before feeding into the workpiece.
(Required)
ZDepth Z The absolute depth of the finished pocket.
(Required)
DepthCut B Z-axis increment used for each pass.
ToolComp D Tool Compensation. Use Left or Right only.
All other are no compensation.
Compensation LEFT
Compensation RIGHT
ZFeed I Z-axis feedrate (plunging feedrate).
Rough
Feed
J XY axes roughing feedrate. Defaults to last
programmed feedrate.