DPJ72LC2, DPJ72LC3 and DPJ72LC4 MANUAL Computer Numerical Control for Windows Version 1.2 User’s Guide 910 E. Orangefair Lane Anaheim CA 92801 (714)992-6990 Fax: (714)992-0471 email: info@anaheimautomation.
Table of Contents GETTING STARTED ..........................................................................................................................................1 THANK YOU ........................................................................................................................................................1 PRODUCT SUPPORT ..............................................................................................................................................
G and M Code Settings ................................................................................................................................. 38 SYSTEM PROGRAMMING............................................................................................................................. 41 OPENING A G-CODE PROGRAM .......................................................................................................................... 41 IMPORTING A DXF FILE ......................................
Section 1 Getting Started Section 1. 1 Getting Started Thank You Thank you for purchasing Anaheim Automation’s LC controls, the affordable, powerful CNC control system for Windows. No other CNC system is easier to set up and use than the LC. We’re sure you’ll enjoy easy to use menus and real time graphics as you quickly and accurately cut parts on your machine tool. We are committed to the excellence of the LC controls. Feel free to call us with any comments or questions.
2 Section 1 Getting Started Installing LC It’s a good idea to make a working copy of the LC software disks and put the originals away in a safe place, before installing the program. Then if the working copy is damaged or lost, you can easily replace it. If you are using Windows 3.1 or 3.11: 1. Start Windows 2. Place Disk 1 into drive A or drive B. 3. In the Windows Program Manager, choose the Run command from the File menu.
Section 1 Getting Started 3 Choosing Commands A command is an instruction that tells the LC to perform a task. You can choose a command by: 1. Choosing a command from a menu with your mouse. 2. Choosing a command from a menu with your keyboard. 3. Using shortcut keys. 4. Using the TAB and ARROW keys. Choosing a Command by Using the Mouse Click the name of a menu item on the menu bar, then click the command name. To close the menu without choosing a command, click outside the menu.
4 Section 1 Getting Started Radio Buttons Pull-Down Menus A pull-down menu is a list of commands that appear when you select either a menu or a down-arrow icon. Text Boxes Text boxes are areas in which you type either a name or a value. Command Buttons Command buttons perform a specific task when selected.
Section 1 Getting Started 5 System Safety When running any machining operation, safety is of utmost importance. For proper and safe use of the LC controls and your CNC machine, the following safety guidelines must be followed: 1. Never let the machine run unattended. 2. Any person near a running machine tool must wear safety goggles. 3. Allow only trained people to operate the machine. Anyone operating this machine must have: • Knowledge of machine tool operation.
6 Section 1 Getting Started About this Manual Anaheim Automation’s LC software is a unique Windows application, so you’ll need some instruction to get started. Since automated machining is potentially dangerous, please take the time to completely read through this manual to understand the operation of the software and machine before cutting a part. Please note that all LC terminology appears in boldface upon first occurrence and is defined in the glossary.
Section 2 Main Screen Features Section 2. Main Screen Features The main screen is shown below. An explanation of each area of the screen follows. Pull-down Menu Bar l Tool Position Box Tool Path View-Port Message Box Control Box Program Listing Box Pull Down Menu Bar This area contains the main menu headings for many system commands.
8 Section 2 Main Screen Features Port, and displays the program in the Program Listing Box. By default, the dialog box displays files with an “.AGC” extension. Close G-Code – Closes the open G-Code file. Editor - Opens the editor dialog box and displays the current G-Code file. Using this feature you can directly edit any G-Code file without leaving Anaheim Automation’s LC software. Note that you can also double-click the Program Listing Box to open the editor.
Section 2 Main Screen Features 9 Controller Menu Online - Establishes communications with the Controller. Once communications are established, the LC software places a check mark next to this menu item. When the Controller is online, all move commands will be executed by the machine tool, and the screen will update in real time. Once the unit goes online, a safety reminder screen appears.
10 Section 2 Main Screen Features Input Status - Shows the current status of the input lines.
Section 2 Main Screen Features 11 Output Control - Allows you to change the state of any output line. The following dialog box is displayed: 4 To change the state of an output line 1. Choose On or Off from the Status pull-down menu for a given output line. A dialog box will ask if you’re sure you want to turn on or off the associated device. 2. Choose OK to proceed or Cancel. Note that the device will turn on or off immediately after you choose OK.
12 Section 2 Main Screen Features View Menu Scale to Fit - Causes the tool path of the current G-Code File to expand as much as possible within the Tool Path View Port. When this option is not chosen, the Tool Path View Port displays the entire work envelope. Program, Machine, Relative, Distance To Go, or All Coordinates - Allows you to choose a display mode for the Tool Position Box.
Section 2 Main Screen Features Coordinate System Label Expand Button Set Button Program Displays the coordinates of the current position of the tool relative to Program Zero. Machine Displays the coordinates of the current position of the tool relative to Machine Zero. This coordinate system is undefined if Machine Zero has not been set (displays “N/A”). Relative Displays the current relative coordinates. The relative coordinate system is general purpose and may be used for anything you choose.
14 Section 2 Main Screen Features Contract Button Contract Button - Causes the Tool Position Box to display all four coordinate systems simultaneously. Set Button - Sets the X,Y and Z coordinates of the chosen coordinate system to any value. When chosen, the following dialog box appears: 4 To set new values within a coordinate system. 1. Type in the X, Y and Z values for each axis. These coordinates will become the current position of the tool. 2. Choose OK. 4 4 To zero each axis. 1.
Section 2 Main Screen Features 15 4 To zero all axes. 1. Choose the Zero All button to zero all of the coordinates simultaneously. Tool Path View Port The figure below shows the Tool Path View Port. The XY Grid represents an aerial view of the tool envelope. The Z Scale represents the height of the tool during machining. Green and light blue dots are used to represent the origins of the Program and Machine (if used) coordinate systems respectively.
16 Section 2 Main Screen Features Total Z Travel Current Z Height Program Tool Path (Red) Rapid Move (dotted) Path Already Cut (Blue) Current XY Position (Yellow) Control Box The Control Box, shown below, contains all of the controls to move the machine tool. There are four modes: G-Code - Moves the tool along the tool path specified by a G-Code program. Jog - Provides means to manually move the tool in all three axes. Point - Moves the tool to any point you specify.
Section 2 Main Screen Features 17 G-Code Mode G-Code mode provides controls to move the tool as directed by the current GCode program. Current Tool Feedrate Override Buttons Reset Button Continuous / Step Radio Buttons Feed Hold Button Start Button Current Tool - Displays the current tool loaded in the machine tool. Note that Anaheim Automation’s LC software uses this setting for tool length compensation (see System Programming for more information).
18 Section 2 Main Screen Features program had been stopped in the middle of a G-Code line, choosing the Start button will begin execution exactly where the program stopped. Note that all moves begin with ramping when necessary. Feed Hold Button - Stops execution of the G-Code file. Note that once the Feed Hold button has been hit, the machine tool will always ramp down to a stop if necessary to avoid loosing steps.
Section 2 Main Screen Features 19 Fast - Sets the jog rate to the fast jog rate specified in the Feedrate/Ramping Setup dialog box. Point Mode Point mode provides controls for moving the tool to the XYZ position you enter at the feedrate you specify. In order to avoid tool crashes, all moves with a positive Z axis element will first move up to the desired Z coordinate and then move to the desired XY position.
20 Section 2 Main Screen Features Coord - The tool will move to the XYZ position in program coordinates, machine coordinates, relative coordinates, or incrementally from the current position of the tool, depending on the option you select in this pull-down menu. Rate - You can set the feedrate by selecting one of the following from the pulldown menu: Rapid - The machine tool moves at the maximum feedrate allowed by your current maximum feedrate settings in the Feedrate/Ramping Setup dialog box.
Section 2 Main Screen Features 21 Clear Machine Zero - Clears the current Machine Zero settings. This button is useful when you set Machine Zero manually (using the Zero button in the Tool Position Box) and need to make a correction to the Machine Zero location. Message Box Displays the current status of the Controller and program. When the Controller is online, the Message Box and the Offline/Online indicator are Red.
Section 3 Initial Setup Section 3. 23 Initial Setup This section describes how to set up the LC for use with your machine tool. It’s very important that the software and hardware are set up properly before you attempt to operate the machine tool. Otherwise, the machine may behave in a potentially dangerous manner. Please read through this section carefully to get a good understanding of how the LC controls your machine.
24 Section 3 Initial Setup Software Setup The Setup File All software settings are stored in a “setup” file, which by default has a “.STP” extension. Before you start, you’ll need to open the appropriate setup file. Choose Open Setup from the File menu and select the appropriate setup file. Some setup files are supplied for various mills and lathes. If a setup file is not available for your machine, select LCXXX.STP, where “XXX” is the current software version (eg. “LC121.STP” for version 1.21).
Section 3 Initial Setup 25 COM 4 depending on how many serial ports and serial devices you have, such as a modem. Once you determine the serial port, choose it from the Serial Port pull-down menu. 3. The Baud Rate is the speed at which the LC communicates across the serial port with the Controller. It is measured in bits per second. This is typically set at 38,400. For older PC’s exhibiting serial communications problems, set this to a lower speed.
26 Section 3 Initial Setup 10. The LC software can be set up in either English (inch) or Metric (mm) mode. Choose the appropriate system from the Display Units pull-down menu. 11. The G-Code File Extension text box makes opening G-Code programs more convenient. If you normally open files made by the DXF import, set this to “AGC”. If you normally open files made by another CAM program, type in its file extension (such as “NC”). 12.
Section 3 Initial Setup 27 revolution, a 0.9° Stepper Motor will have 400 full steps per revolution, and so on. This number is a characteristic of the stepper motor and is independent of the Stepper Motor Driver or the Step Mode. 5. Gear Ratio - The ratio of the number of stepper motor revolutions to drive screw revolutions due to any gears or pulleys between them. If it is a direct drive, enter 1 in this box. 6. Screw Thread - The number of turns per inch of the helical drive screw for each axis.
28 Section 3 Initial Setup Feedrate and Ramping Settings Every machine tool will vary as to how fast it can move each axis without losing steps. Losing steps means that even though the stepper motor gets the signal to move a step, it isn’t able to move the step, and accuracy is lost. The usual cause is insufficient drive torque at a given motor RPM.
Section 3 Initial Setup 29 7. Enter 70% of the value you found in the Max Unramped Feedrate text box for the X axis, then choose OK. 8. Repeat this process for all axes. 4 To Set the Maximum Feedrates After finding the maximum unramped feedrates, you’re ready to find the maximum feedrates achievable with ramping. 1. Choose Feedrate/Ramping from the Setup Menu. The Feedrate/Ramping Setup dialog box will appear. 2. Enter 10,000 full steps/sec/sec in the Ramping Rate text box for the X axis.
30 Section 3 Initial Setup 1. Choose Feedrate/Ramping from the Setup Menu. The Feedrate/Ramping Setup dialog box will appear. 2. Enter 10,000 full steps/sec/sec in the Ramping Rate text box for the X axis. (This is an average ramping rate.) 3. Leave the Max Unramped Feedrates and Maximum Feedrates at the values you found earlier and choose OK. 4. Choose the Point button on the Control Box. Select Any Point from the Name pull-down menu and Incremental from the Coord pull-down menu. Enter 1.
Section 3 Initial Setup 31 3. Run the program and notice if the motor loses steps. If so, increase the Direction Change Delay. Otherwise decrease the number. 4. Repeat the above process until you reach a reasonable delay time that eliminates any motor slippage. Note that this number is typically between 0.05 and 0.3 seconds. If you do not see any slippage at a delay of 0 seconds, it is recommended you enter at least 0.05 seconds. 5. Repeat the above process for all axes. 4 To Set the Jog Rates 1.
32 Section 3 Initial Setup 4 To Set Machine Zero Using Home Switches 1. Choose Machine Tool from the Setup Menu. The Machine Tool Setup dialog box will appear. 2. Make sure you’ve entered correctly the home switch setup parameters as described in the Machine Tool Settings section of this manual. Choose OK. 3. Choose the Home button on the Control Box. 4. Choose the Start button. The machine will now move each axis until it finds the home switch.
Section 3 Initial Setup 33 moving parts on each axis. This will help you “eye-ball” the same home position again. 6. Choose the Set button next to the “Machine” label in the Tool Position Box. Then choose the Zero All button in the Set Machine Coordinates dialog box. 7. If Machine Zero was already set, the LC software displays a dialog showing the discrepancy between the previous Machine Zero and the new Machine Zero just set.
34 Section 3 Initial Setup Tooling Settings Anaheim Automation’s LC software provides for a tool library of up to 100 tools. Each tool has an associated tool number, description and length offset. The length offset is used when tool length compensation (G43 or G44) is used in a GCode program. 4 To Set Up the Tool Library 1. Choose Tooling from the Setup menu. The Tooling Setup dialog box will appear. 2. Enter the tool description for each tool next to the appropriate tool number.
Section 3 Initial Setup 35 Input Line Settings Anaheim Automation’s LC software can test up to 8 input lines wired to limit/home switches or general safety switches (such as a door switch on a safety enclosure). You can use all 8 input lines however you choose, but all must be wired the same, either all normally open or all normally closed. If controller you are using is a model 401 then it is best if all input lines are normally open (N.O.).
36 Section 3 Initial Setup purpose safety switch, choose Safety and enter a Description. If the line is unused, choose Unused. (Note: The “Control” option is not used by the current version of the LC controller.) 3. Repeat for all 8 input lines. Output Line Settings Anaheim Automation’s LC software can control up to 8 output lines to activate devices such as the spindle or coolant pump. You can manipulate any or all of the output lines with user defined M codes.
Section 3 Initial Setup 37 4. Choose Before or After from the Before/After Move pull-down menu. If you choose Before and there is a machine tool move command on the same program line as the M-Code, the M-code will be executed before the move. If you chose After, the M-code will be executed after the move. 5. In the Delay text box, enter the amount of delay between execution of the M-Code and execution of the next G-Code command.
38 Section 3 Initial Setup +5 V 0V Low Step Pulse High Step Pulse +5 V 0V Step Pulse Width 3. In the Step Pulse Width text box, type the duration of the step pulse in microseconds. 4. From the Enable Signal pull-down menu, choose High if the driver is enabled by a high signal, or Low if the driver is enabled by a low signal. 5. From the Park Signal pull-down menu, choose High if a high signal to the park (low power) line puts the driver into a reduced power mode. Choose Low if the opposite is true.
Section 3 Initial Setup 39 2. Check the Ignore G54 checkbox if you want the LC to ignore this command in a G-Code program. The LC does not currently support G54. If you choose to ignore G54, make certain any G-Code program you run does not rely on G54 to position the machine tool. 3. Check the Message on M00 Program Pause checkbox if you want the LC to display a message dialog whenever it encounters an M00 command in a G-Code program.
Section 4 System Programming 41 Section 4. System Programming Anaheim Automation’s LC software reads a subset of ANSI standard G-Code to control machine tool movement. This section describes how to bring a G-Code file into the LC, the G-Codes supported, and a brief explanation of their use. There are three ways you can bring G-Code files into the LC: • Open an existing G-Code file created by a CAM program, LC or any other source. • Import a DXF file created by a CAD or drawing program.
42 Section 4 System Programming 3. In the Drives pull-down menu choose the drive that contains the file. 4. In Folders list box, double-click the name of the folder that contains the file. Continue double-clicking subfolders until you open the subfolder that contains the file. 5. In the box that lists files, double-click the file name, or click on the file name and choose OK. 6. The Save G-Code File dialog box appears asking you the name of the new G-Code file created by the DXF import.
Section 4 System Programming 43 size of the original geometry defined in the DXF file. Note that the values you enter for positioning the Z axis are unaffected by the scale factor. 8. Decimals - The number of decimal places to use for all coordinates. A higher number can help eliminate extra backlash compensation moves caused by rounding error. 9. Join Tolerance – If two drawing entities, such as two lines, are touching end to end, LC treats them as a single feature to machine without lifting the tool.
44 Section 4 System Programming Using the Program Editor The LC software provides a handy editor for creating or modifying G-Code Programs. If you need a more feature-rich editor for your programming, you can also use your own editor such as WordPad (which comes standard with Windows 95), or Microsoft Word, etc. If you do use a different editor make sure you save the file as Text Only and use an “.AGC” extension on the file name. 4 To open the editor 1.
Section 4 System Programming 45 1. Choose Open G-Code from the editor’s File menu. The Open G-Code File dialog box appears. 2. In the “List files of type” pull-down menu, choose the type of file you are looking for. Existing LC files will have an “.AGC” extension. If you are unsure of the file type, choose “All Files (*.*).” 3. In the Drives pull-down menu choose the drive that contains the file. 4. In Folders list box, double-click the name of the folder that contains the file.
46 Section 4 System Programming G and M Codes Supported G00 G01 G02 G03 G04 G17 G18 G19 G20 G21 G28 G29 G43 G44 G49 G52 G70 G71 G90 G91 M00 M02 M06 MXX M30 M98 M99 F () Rapid Tool Positioning Linear Interpolated Cutting Move Clockwise Circular Cutting Move (XY Plane) Counter Clockwise Circular Cutting Move (XY Plane) Dwell XY Plane Selection XZ Plane Selection YZ Plane Selection Inch Units (same as G70) Metric Units (same as G71) Return to Reference Point Return from Reference Point Tool Length Compensat
Section 4 System Programming 47 Mode Most G-code commands supported by LC are modal, meaning they put the system into a particular mode of operation and need not be repeated on every program line. A modal command stays in effect until another command changes the mode. Related modal commands that affect one aspect of program execution are called a mode group. The following list shows the mode groups for G-code commands supported by LC.
48 Section 4 System Programming an incremental move, the ending point is defined relative to the current tool location. The G90/G91 commands tell the system which of these two modes to use (described below). While there will be cases where incremental programming is useful, generally you should define your moves as absolute since it is a less error prone method of programming. All of the examples in the following section use absolute positioning unless otherwise noted.
Section 4 System Programming 49 G01 Linear Interpolated Cutting Move The G01 command moves the tool to the designated XYZ Program coordinate at the designated feedrate using 3-Axis linear interpolation. Example: G01 X2.0 Y1.0 Z-1.5 F2.0 Moves the tool directly to the Program coordinate X=2.0, Y=1.0, Z=-1.5 at a feedrate of 2.0 in/min. You do not need to specify all three coordinates, only the ones for which you want movement. Example: G01 X4.0 Y3.0 Moves the tool to Program coordinate X=4.0, Y=3.
50 Section 4 System Programming G01 X1.0 Y1.0 F3.0 Moves the tool directly to the Program Coordinates X=1.0, Y=1.0 at a feedrate of 3.0 in/min. G02 X3.0 Y3.0 I1.0 J1.0 Moves the tool using clockwise circular interpolation to the Program Coordinates X=3.0, Y=3.0 with a center point of X=2.0, Y=2.0 at a feedrate of 3.0 in/min. 3,3 End I= 1, J= 1 2,2 Center 1,1 Start When using G02, there are several things to keep in mind: • The command is modal, i.e.
Section 4 System Programming 51 +Y +Z G02 Clockwise G02 Clockwise +X +X +Z G02 Clockwise +Y G03 Counter Clockwise Circular Cutting Move The G03 command is identical to the G02 command, but it moves the tool in a counter clockwise arc instead of a clockwise arc. Example: G01 X2.0 Y1.0 F8.0 Moves the tool directly to the Program Coordinates X=2.0, Y=1.0 at a feedrate of 8.0 in/min. G03 X0.0 Y3.0 I-1.0 J1.0 Moves the tool using counter-clockwise circular interpolation to the Program Coordinates X=0.
52 Section 4 System Programming G04 Dwell The G04 command causes the program to dwell or wait for a specified amount of time. The time to wait is specified by the letter “X” immediately followed by the number of seconds. For safety reasons there is a maximum time allowed for each dwell command. Example: G04 X1.5 The program pauses for 1.5 seconds before moving on to the next line of G-Code.
Section 4 System Programming 53 If the move contains positive Z movement, the machine first moves up in the Z axis and then moves across in the XY plane. If the move contains negative Z movement, the machine first moves across in the XY plane and then moves down in the Z axis. If you want the G28 command to move only one or two axes, you can limit the movement to those axes by adding the parameters “X0”, “Y0”, or “Z0” after the G28 command.
54 Section 4 System Programming G28 Rapid move in the Z axis to Machine Coordinate Z=-1 followed by a rapid move in the XY plane to Machine Coordinate X=1, Y=1 G29 X2 Y3 Z-2 Rapid move in the XY plane to Program Coordinate X=2, Y=3 followed by a rapid move in the Z axis to Program Coordinate Z=-2 When using G29, there are several things to keep in mind: • You do not need to specify all three coordinates, only the ones for which you want movement. Example: G29 X4.0 Y3.
Section 4 System Programming 55 M06 T3 Pauses program, displays dialog informing operator to change to tool number 3 Note: For compatibility reasons, the T command can be used on any line prior to the M06 command; it does not need to be on the same line as M06. Once the M06 command has set the current tool, the G43 command applies the proper offset to account for the current tool’s length as follows: G43 Hn where n is the tool number for the current tool.
56 Section 4 System Programming • The G43, G44 and G49 commands are modal, so the current tool offset remains active until LC executes another tool offset command, or until LC cancels tool offset as described above. Note that you may only use one type of tool length compensation (G43 or G44) in a G-Code program. • The M06 command does not move the machine tool to the Tool Change Position. This is done using the G28 command described above.
Section 4 System Programming 57 The first tool used in the program is tool #1, so it is selected in the Current Tool pull-down menu on the main screen. The tool change position is defined as Machine Coordinates X=2, Y=2, Z=0. Tool #1 is loaded in the machine tool. Program zero has been set using tool #1. Program zero is set at Machine Coordinates X=0, Y=0, Z=-4. The machine tool is moved to Program Coordinates X=0, Y=0, Z=1 before the G-Code file is run. G00 Z.
58 Section 4 System Programming Y=3, Z=4.5. The Machine Coordinates remain unchanged at X=3, Y=3, Z=0. G29 X4 Y4 Z0 Move the X and Y axes across and the Z axis down to Program Coordinates X=4, Y=4, Z=0, Machine Coordinates X=4, Y=4, Z=-4.5 G01 X5 Z-1 Linear interpolation to Program Coordinates X=5, Y=4, Z=-1, Machine Coordinates X=5, Y=4, Z=-5.5 G28 Move the Z axis up and the X and Y axes across to the Tool Change Position, Program Coordinates X=2, Y=2, Z=4.
Section 4 System Programming 59 Example: G01 X1.0 Y3.0 Z-1.5 F12 Moves the tool directly to the Program coordinate X=1.0, Y=3.0, Z=-1.5. G52 X3 Y-7 Z0 Activates a local coordinate system with origin at X=3, Y=-7, Z=0 relative to Program Zero. The machine tool does not move. G01 X1.0 Y10.0 Z2.0 Moves the tool directly to the point X=1.0, Y=10.0, Z=2.0 relative to the local coordinate system as defined by the G52 command above. G52 X0 Y0 Z0 Cancels use of the local coordinate system.
60 Section 4 System Programming G02 X1.0 Y-1.0 I0.5 J-0.5 Moves the tool using counter-clockwise circular interpolation to the Program coordinate X=3.0, Y=4.0, Z=-2.0 with a center point at Program coordinate X=2.5, Y=4.5, Z=-2.0. G90 All XYZ coordinates after this command will be interpreted as Program coordinates. G01 X1.0 Y2.0 Z-0.5 Moves the tool directly to the Program coordinate X=1.0, Y=2.0, Z=-0.5. M00 Program Pause The M00 command pauses processing of the G-Code program.
Section 4 System Programming 61 The subroutine definition begins with the letter "O" followed immediately by the subroutine name with no spaces. The subroutine must end with the M99 command as shown. M99 causes program execution to jump back to the main program, continuing with the line immediately following the M98 line (G01 X0 Y0 above). The main program must end with M02, the "End of Program" command. M02 is not required in a G-code program unless there are subroutines defined below the main program.
62 Section 4 System Programming (Move to beginning of the next feature) G00 X1.0 Y3.0 (Ready to move Z axis down) G00 Z-1.5 (Begin next feature) G01 Z-1.6 F8 G01 X3.0 Y7.
Section 5 Tutorial Section 5. Tutorial Starting LC Software Windows 3.1 or 3.11 To start LC, double-click on the LC icon in the LC Program Group. A dialog will appear asking you if you want to start with the Controller online or offline. At this point, choose the No, Start Offline button. If you are running the Demo version, choose Continue. Windows 95, 98 or NT To start LC, click on the Start button, select Programs, select LC, and then select the LC icon.
Section 5 Tutorial 3. Select the drive and directory where the setup file is located, then select the file and choose OK. Some setup files are supplied for various mills and lathes. If a setup file is not available for your machine, select LCXXX.STP, where “XXX” is the current software version (eg. “LC141.STP” for version 1.21). Note that LCXXX.STP is based on the Sherline 5400, but is easily modified to accommodate any machine tool. 4. Go through the Setup menus as described in Section 3, Initial Setup.
Section 5 Tutorial Notice how the G-Code listing appeared in the Program Listing Box and a red outline of the tool path appeared in the Tool Path View Port. Viewing the Tool Path There are two viewing modes for the tool path: the size of the entire machine tool envelope and scale to fit. Note that since the machine coordinates are not defined, the window shows an area that is twice the size of the entire machine tool envelope. Now let’s set the machine coordinates. To do this: 1.
Section 5 Tutorial The coordinates previously shown as N/A will now be zeroed and a light blue box will outline the entire tool envelope in the Tool Path View Port. To view in scale to fit mode, choose Scale to Fit from the View menu. The tool path will now expand to the largest size possible in the Tool Path View Box. Now choose the View menu again and notice the check mark in front of the Scale to Fit menu item. This means that the Tool Path View Box is currently in scale to fit mode.
Section 5 Tutorial Now let’s get familiar with the Tool Path View Box. Here are some important features: Red Lines - Represent the entire tool path of the part to be cut. Green Dot - Represents Program Zero, the origin of any G-Code program. Light Blue Dot - Represents Machine Zero, also called Home. Yellow Dot (not shown here) - Represents the current XY position of the machine tool during the cutting (or animating) operation.
Section 5 Tutorial 4. Choose the Start button and watch the blue tool move down the Z axis scale. Also note that LC has highlighted the next line in the Program Listing Box, indicating it has fully executed the first line. 5. Choose the Start button again. Notice the yellow dot, which represents the current position of the tool, and the solid blue line, which represents the cutting move just executed. 6. Now select the Continuous radio button and then choose the Start button again.
Section 5 Tutorial Connecting the Machine Online Now you are ready to communicate with the Controller. In this step we will put LC into online mode. Note that when in online mode, all moves will be performed by the machine tool. If you are running the Demo version of LC or do not have the means to go online at this time, ignore this section and continue with “ Using the Jog Controls” below. 1. Make sure that the machine tool and Controller are connected properly as described in Section 1, “Initial Setup”.
Section 5 Tutorial X+ XY+ YZ+ Z- Ctrl + Right Arrow Key Ctrl + Left Arrow Key Ctrl + Up Arrow Key Ctrl + Down Arrow Key Ctrl + Page Up Key Ctrl + Page Down Key 4. Try the same for all directions on all axes, making sure you have enough room in the direction of travel before you choose each Axis Jog button. 5. Now select the Fast radio button and do the same exercise as you did for the Slow Jog mode. The tool will move at the Fast Jog Rate defined in the Feedrate/Ramping Setup dialog box. 6.
Section 5 Tutorial 2. Choose the Clear Machine Zero button. This will clear the machine coordinates and remove the light blue Machine Tool Envelope. 3. Choose the Jog button in the Control Box. This will put LC into jog mode. 4. Jog the tool to 1/10” from the top of the Z axis. 5. Jog the table in the X- direction to about 1/10” from the end of travel. 6. Jog the table in the Y- direction to about 1/10” from the end of travel. 7. Choose Set next to the Machine label. Choose Zero All in the dialog box.
Section 5 Tutorial 9. Now choose the Start button. Notice how the machine first moved the Z Axis up and then performed 2-axis linear interpolation for the X and Y axes. Setting Program Zero on the Machine Tool Program Zero is the origin to which all Program coordinates in the G-Code file are referenced. Before we cut a part, Program Zero must be set to a point from which we want the G-Code file to begin processing. For this tutorial we will cut a file called LCBLT.AGC . 1.
Section 5 Tutorial 2. Make sure there is enough room on all axes of the machine to run the current G-Code file from the program zero point. The LCBLT.AGC program needs +2.125 inches on the X axis, +1.625 inches on the Y axis and -.55 inches on the Z axis. 3. Fixture a sheet of 1/8” or thicker plastic (preferably machine grade) or aluminum at least 2” wide and 4” long onto the XY table of the machine tool.
Section 5 Tutorial the program, you can start exactly where you left off by choosing the Start button. You may want to try this for practice. Cutting the Part Assuming everything was fine in the previous step, we are ready to cut an actual part. 1. Check to make sure the Program Coordinates are at 0,0,0. If not, go through the “Setting Program Zero on the Machine Tool” section above. 2. Now go into jog mode and carefully move the tool down in the Z- direction to the part surface.
Section 7 Driver Section 6. I/O CONNECTIONS WIRING BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN DOING ANY WIRING. IMPROPER WIRING WILL DAMAGE THE MOTOR SIGNAL GENERATOR. The receptacle that plugs unto this connector is a Molex-Waldom Mini –Fit Jr. Series 16 pin receptacle (part number 39-01-2160), the female pins (part number 39-00-0039). The input lines as seen on the package as arranged as follows: INPUT – The connector for up to 8 input lines. The most common use of the input is for limit or safety switches.
Section 7 Driver BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN DOING ANY WIRING. IMPROPER WIRING WILL DAMAGE THE MOTOR SIGNAL GENERATOR. The output lines are all initialized to low (0V) when you turn on the Motor Signal Generator. The receptacle that plugs unto this connector is a Molex-Waldom Mini –Fit Jr. Series 10 pin receptacle (part number 39-01-2100), the female pins (part number 39-00-0039).
Section 7 Driver Section 7. Driver (BLD72 SERIES DRIVER) BILEVEL DRIVE The basic function of a step motor driver is to provide the rated motor phase current to the motor windings in the shortest possible time. The bilevel driver uses a high voltage to get a rapid rate of current rise in the motor windings in the least amount of time. When reaching the preset trip current, the driver turns off the high voltage and sustains the current from the low voltage supply.
Section 7 Driver SETTING THE KICK CURRENT The Kick Current should be set to the Motor’s Rated Unipolar Current. For example, a 34D309 is rated for 4.5A, so the Kick Current Potentiometer would be set somewhere between the 4A and 5A indication. GROUNDING The unit should be properly grounded. Shielded cable should be used to preserve signal integrity. MOTOR HOOKUP The DPJ Series Driver Packs can drive 6-lead and 8-lead step motors rated from 1 to 7 amps/phase (unipolar rating).
Section 7 Driver
Section 8 Glossary Section 8. 81 Glossary Backlash - The amount of motor movement that occurs without table movement when changing directions. This is usually due to the amount of “slop” between the nut and the screw in the drive system. Baud Rate - The speed at which LC communicates across the serial port with the Controller. It is measured in bits per second and is typically set at 38,400. Buffer Time - The Buffer Time is used to prevent system events from affecting motor movement.
82 Section 8 Glossary outside of it. The machine tool envelope can be disabled by clicking on the Clear Machine Zero button in Home mode. Machine Zero - The origin (X,Y,Z = 0,0,0) of useful space within the machine tool envelope. Can either be defined manually or by using home switches. Maximum Feedrate - The maximum rate at which a motor (or an axis) can reliably start and stop (with ramping).
Section 8 Glossary 83 Relative Coordinates - The XYZ position of the tool on the CNC machine relative to the point at which the Relative Coordinates were zeroed. The relative coordinate system is general purpose and may be used for anything you choose. Resonant Speeds - Rotational speeds at which a stepper motor will vibrate excessively. Quite often, the motor will stall if run at these speeds. This is dependent on the size of the motor, the size of the load it is driving, and the power of the controller.
