Specifications

Southwestern Industries, Inc.

TRAK LPM Programming, Safety, & Operating Manual

5.0 Definitions, Terms & Concepts

5.1 ProtoTRAK PMX CNC Axis Conventions

Hint: It is much easier to program if you imagine the tool is moving and think of the tool

movement rather than focus on the machine table and saddle movement.

X Axis: positive X-axis motion is defined as the table moving to the left when facing the

mill. Consequently, measurement to the right is positive on the workpiece.

Y Axis: positive Y-axis motion is defined as the table moving toward you. Measurement

toward the machine (away from you) is positive on the workpiece.

Z Axis: positive Z-axis motion is defined as moving the head up. Measurement up is

also positive on the workpiece.

ProtoTRAK PMX CNC conventions in terms of tool movement.

The Z RAPID dimension is the position at which Z will stop rapid traversing and switch

to its programmed Z feedrate. Z motion will continue until Z End depth has been

reached.

5.2 Part Geometry and Tool Path Programming

The ProtoTRAK PMX CNC gives you ultimate flexibility in programming. Programs

that are entered through the ProtoTRAK PMX CNC system can be entered as either Part

Geometry or Tool Path.

Part Geometry programming is the popular programming style of the ProtoTRAK family

of products. This is done by defining the final geometry of the part, and the ProtoTRAK

PMX CNC has the job of figuring out the tool path from the part dimensions and the tool

set-up information. This is a great benefit compared to regular CNC because it doesn't

force the programmer to do the difficult job of defining tool path. A consequence of part

geometry programming is that the following are not allowed: