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For the PROG key selection to work, either the MEM (memory) or the EDIT mode has to be selected.
In MEM mode, the currently loaded program can be monitored by viewing it on the screen. Current and next block can also be viewed. No program changes are possible in MEM mode.
If you want to make changes to the current program, you have to choose the EDIT mode from the Operation Panel. As these two modes are separate, there is no possibility of making a mistake, for example, by editing part program currently active.
In the EDIT mode, program can be edited, viewed on the directory screen, program can also be loaded into memory or deleted from the control memory.
Many controls even offer a feature called background edit, which allows programming of the next job, while the current job is running.
OFFSET / SETTING Key
Contrary to some beliefs, this is a dual function key -it does not mean Offset Settings - it means Offset and Settings !
Tool length and cutter radius offset can be set by selecting the OFFSET soft key. Work offset is set by selecting the WORK soft key. In order for either setting to work, the OFFSET / SETTINGS key has to be pressed first.
In this mode, various settings may also be done at the control. The most common setting is the selection of units - metric or imperial (mm or inches). Another setting may relate to mirror image and macros - several others are also available from this screen. Although these settings can be done at the machine, it is always important to follow this recommendation:
Settings that can be done at the control AND in the program, should always be covered by the program
SYSTEM Key
SYSTEM selection key is the entry into the inner workings of the CNC system. There is no harm looking at this display but making any changes is not part of general operator’s duties. Under the SYSTEM key selection, you will find Parameters Setting Screen, Diagnosis Screen, PMC Screen (PMC stands for Programmable Machine Control, which is a version of PLC - Programmable Logical Control). PMC/PLC is used by machine tool manufacturers for many different applications. One of the more common ones is connecting various devices together. For example, a transfer system between two CNC machines uses PMC/PLC, The same applies internally for almost all mechanical functions.
SYSTEM selection key should only be used for viewing various data - changes should always be left to qualified technicians
MESSAGE Key
Typical screens that appear in the Message mode relate to various alarms and operation. They may also show alarm history. Message screen will also appear when a macro program includes message to the operator via a part program.
GRAPH Key
An option on many controls - if available, it shows toolpath motions graphically. The main benefit of this optional feature is that a program can be graphically tested prior to actual machining.
CUSTOM Key
In the majority of CNC applications, the Custom selection key is used by the machine tool manufacturers for some unique activities of their CNC machine. For example, by pressing the Custom key, you may find procedures related to automatic tool and pallet changers,
In CNC programming, the word address refers to any letter used in the part program. For example, rapid motion G00 uses the G-address, tool change command M06 uses the M-address, and spindle speed S1200 (r/min) uses the S-address. These are just some of many addresses that are used in a typical part program.
The control panel keyboard is not just an exclusive address oriented keyboard, as it also includes digits and special symbols. In reality, the control system keyboard is a multifunctional alpha-numerical keyboard, which is actually a description used by some control systems.
Note that the keys containing letters also contain secondary characters. Grouping of the letters is designed to be convenient for CNC program data entry, and does not follow the common QWERTY keyboard layout.
Secondary characters are accessible via the Shift key. Not all secondary characters may be available, even if they appear on the keyboard. A pair of parentheses ( ) is used for inclusion of comments into the program, while square brackets [ ] are used only in macros. Macros also use the # symbol, equal sign =, asterisk * for multiplication, plus sign + for addition. From the numeric pad, macros also use subtraction sign - and forward slash / for divisions. Question mark ?, comma ‘,’, ampersand @, and the ‘at’ symbol ‘&’ are not normally used in part programs. SP is a symbol for ‘space’ to separate words.
As described already, the shift key is used the same way on the control panel as it is used on standard computer keyboard - it selects the secondary character, if available.
Numeric section of the keyboard contains only primary keys - no shift is required - it covers all digits from 0 to 9 as well as the negative sign and the decimal point. There is also a symbol for the forward slash, used as a block skip symbol in CNC programming.
There are three Edit keys on the control panel. They are used to edit programs stored in the CNC memory:
| ▪Alter | ... changes existing program entry |
| ▪Insert | ... adds a new entry into an existing program |
| ▪Delete | ... removes program entry |
