Page and Cursor Keys
Both Page and Cursor keys are navigational keys. They narrow down the available screen selections:
Page refers to a single display of the control screen. For example, a long program may not fit on a single screen and can be viewed only by scrolling from one page to the next, in ascending or descending order. Each time the Page key is pressed, another display screen will appear. Page-Up and Page-Down arrows select the direction of the page scrolling.
Cursor is normally used on the selected page. Its main purpose is to narrow down the selection within a page. Vertical cursor arrows are used to select a particular line displayed on the screen, while horizontal cursor arrows are use to select a particular item with the selected line.
EOB or E-O-B is just a short form for the End-Of-Block character. When entering a part program into the control system in Edit or MDI mode, each program block has to be separated from the next program block. End-Of-Block key is used for that purpose.
CAN is the Cancel key. As the name suggests, this key is used to cancel an erroneous data entry.
INPUT is a special key used for data settings. Unlike the INSERT key, it is not used for program data. Its main use is to set various offsets, settings, parameters, etc.
Do not confuse INPUT with INSERT
INPUT is used for data settings INSERT is used to add program data
Pressing the RESET key, many default conditions are restored. One of the most common use of this key is to cancel alarm or error condition.
Keep in mind that the actual cause of any alarm has to be addressed first, and the problem resolved before the Reset key can become functional.
The HELP key is quite self-explanatory - it provides details relating to various commands - commonly used in MDI mode. Various alarm details, as well as details relating to operation methods and parameter table can be found here.
The control system and its display/keyboard portion is closely connected to the operational features of the CNC machine, the Operation Panel. The next chapter will cover this subject in detail.
| 5 | OPERATION PANEL |
The part of the control system that is designed and manufactured by the machine tool builder (not the control system builder) is called the Operation Panel. This panel is much richer in visible features than the Control Panel and consists of the following major groups:
▪Main buttons and switches
▪Status indicator lights
▪ON/OFF switches (toggle or button type)
▪Rotary switches
▪Edit key
▪Emergency Stop switch
▪Setup handle
In general, the main purpose of the Control Panel is to provide the software aspects of operating a CNC machine, while the Operation Panel provides the hardware aspects. Both of these two portions of a CNC system are related and interfaced at the manufacturing stage. They always work together.
There are many different versions of machine operation panels. They vary in features and layout, some use toggle switches, others use push-buttons. Some controls use symbolic descriptions, others use literal descriptions. Regardless of these differences, overwhelming majority of features is common to all control systems. Features that are less common often reflect a special option, unique to a particular machine tool builder.
Modern CNC systems use pictorial symbols rather than words (literal descriptions). The most common pictorial symbols will be shown later in this chapter. On the previous page is a schematic layout of a typical operation panel using literal descriptions for easier orientation. Although the shown layout is only a composite based on several operation panels, it does represent all major features found on any modern CNC control system. Not all features can be shown here, for example those relating to ATC (Automatic Tool Changer) or APC (Automatic Pallet Changer). Also, features that are particular to a specific CNC machine cannot be shown either. As always, it is important to consult all manuals that are supplied with the CNC machine. They are always based on the actual machine model and its control system. Various manuals provided to the user list in detail all functions available and describe how they work.
When viewing a machine Operation Panel, its layout is composed of light indicators and various switches and buttons. Needless to say, all CNC operators should be thoroughly familiar will all features of both the Control Panel and the Operation Panel. Many operator related features are also directly related to part programming, so it is equally important that CNC programmers have a good (or even better) knowledge of the machine/control operating features.
From all different buttons located on the CNC machine Operation Panel, there are two main buttons that are somewhat more important than others, although all are equally important.
Power ON / Ready Light Indicator
As the button label Power ON suggests, this is the main power switch (button) for the machine as well as control system. When the machine power is supplied, the control does not get power automatically right away, the power has to be turned on in subsequent steps.
It is not unusual to perform three or even four steps to get all power needed before using the CNC machine - for example:
