control panel is located at the front of the machine and is equipped with a CRT and with various buttons and switches, as illustrated in Figure 16.
Two items not shown on this controller that are common on many modern controls are a 3.5 floppy disk and PCMCI (Portable Computer Memory Card Interface) slot. These are both used as a file storage medium and a method for file transfer. The floppies typically hold a maximum of 1.44 mega bytes (MB) of data while PCMCI cards range from 40MB to 200MB. The 1.44 MB floppy can store the equivalent of 3600 meters of paper tape. Both are widely used to store part programs offset data and NC parameter information. Because of emerging technologies in computer industry, the storage and data transfer medium described here are changing and improving rapidly and some controllers are now being equipped with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive interface.
A detailed description for the use of each button and the purpose of the particular sections of the control panel are presented in the following sections:
POWER-ON & POWER-OFF
These buttons are used to activate/deactivate the power to the control. The ON button is typically green in color and when it is ON, the key is lit. The OFF button is typically red in color and when the power is turned OFF to the control, the key is lit. At startup of the main power to the machine, the OFF button is lit.
Press theses buttons to turn CNC power ON and OFF.
Figure 17 On Button
Figure 18 Off Button
Notes: The control is always turned ON after the MAIN POWER switch is ON. The switch is located on the door of the control system and is typically at the back or side of the machine. The control is always turned OFF before the MAIN POWER switch is turned OFF.
CRT DISPLAY
This is the television-like screen on which all the program characters and data are shown. Sizes vary from around 9 inches to approximately 15 inches. Displays are color, monochrome or Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD).
Reset Key
Pressing this button resets or cancels an alarm and can be used for cancellation of an automatic operation. An alarm can only be cancelled if its cause has been eliminated.
Figure 19 Reset Button
When the reset button is pressed during automatic operation, all program commanded axis feeds and spindle revolutions are cancelled. The program will return to its starting block when this button is pressed.
Help Key
Pressing this key gives the operator help screens on how to operate the machine functions such as MDI key operation, or details related to an alarm that has occurred in the control.
Figure 20 Help Key
SOFT KEYS
The soft keys have numerous functions, depending on the applications selected with other keys. The specific functions of the soft keys are displayed at the bottom of the CRT screen as shown in Figure 21. The purpose of the soft keys is to minimize the use of dedicated keys on the control panel.
Figure 21 Controller Soft Keys
By use of the soft keys; the machine ORIGIN register can be reset, READ soft keys allow entering the program to memory from a punched tape or other storage medium, and the PUNCH soft key allows program readout from memory to a punched tape or other storage medium.
By pressing a soft key, the function selections that belong to it appear. These selection choices are called chapters. These selection soft keys are the first four rectangular keys under the CRT. By pressing one of the chapter selection soft keys, the screen for the selected chapter appears. If the soft key for a target chapter is not displayed, you must press the continuous menu key located at the right end of the soft keys (sometimes referred to as next-menu). In some cases, there are additional chapters that can be selected from within a chapter. When the desired screen is displayed, press the soft key under operation selection (OPRT) on the display for data to be manipulated. To reverse through the chapter selection soft keys, press the return menu key located at the left end of the soft keys.
The general screen display procedure is explained above; however, the actual display procedure varies from one screen to another. For details, see the description of individual operations.
Note: The operator should consult the manufacturer manual for more specific detailed instructions on the use of the soft keys.
Figure 22 Alpha-Numerical Keypad
ADDRESS AND NUMERIC KEYS (ALPHA-NUMERICAL KEYS)
This keypad of letters, numbers, and symbol characters is used to input data while writing or editing programs at the control. These keys are also used to enter numerical data and offsets into memory. Many of the keys are used in conjunction with other keys.
Shift Key
Because there is not enough space on the control for all keys necessary, some keys have two characters on them. When the letter or symbol indicated in the bottom right corner of the key is needed, the operator first presses the SHIFT key, which switches the key to that character. This sequence must be followed each time an alternate letter is needed. The shift key functions the same way as its equivalent on a computer keyboard.
On the display, a special character will be shown when a character indicated at the bottom right corner on the key can be entered.
Figure 23 Shift Key
Input Key
The INPUT key is used for MDI operation and to change the offsets. After the data are entered via the keypad the INPUT key is pressed. The data are entered into the offset register or the program for execution.
Figure 24 Input Key
Cancel Key
This key is used while inputting data in the MDI mode. It is essentially a destructive backspace key and can be used to correct an erroneous entry. Press this key to delete the last character or symbol input to the key input buffer. For instance, when the key input buffer displays:
