ProLIGHT 1000 Control Software
description
Transcript of ProLIGHT 1000 Control Software
ProLIGHT 1000 Control Software
PLTWComputer Integrated
Manufacturing
Program Interface
•Standard Tool Bar
•Output Tool Bar
•Input Tool Bar
•Operator Panel
• Position Readout
•Machine Information Panel
•Verify Window
•Jog Control Panel
•Program Window
•Status Bar
•Help Functions
•Homing The Mill
•Setting up Tool Libraries
•Editing Functions
Program Interface
Standard Tool Bar
New File
Open File
Save File
Help
Jog Control Toggle
Operator Panel Toggle
Verify Prog.
Run/Pause/Stop
Program.Cut/Copy/Paste
Output Toolbar
Spindle On/Off
Output # 1 On/Off
Output # 2 On/Off
Robot # 1 On/Off
Robot # 2 On/Off
Input Toolbar
Emergency Stop Switch
Safety Shield Indicator
Plus Limit Input Indicator
Robot # 1 Input On/Off
Robot # 2 Input On/Off
Minus Limit Input Indicator
Operator Panel
Optional Stop - Stops when (M01) is reached in the
program
Optional Skip - Skips lines in the program
that have a “/” at the beginning
Run in Single Step Mode
Stops Program
Cycle StartCycle Pause - Immediately
Pauses program
Feed Override - Overrides the
feeds set in the program by a percentage
Spindle Speed Override - Overrides
spindle speed set in program by a percentage
Position Readout
X Axis Position of SpindleY Axis Position
of SpindleZ Axis Position
of Spindle
The position readout is used to determine the current position of the spindle/cutting tool. It can be used like a
digital readout on a manual milling machine.
Position Panel Menu
Right click on the control panel to display the Fly-out Menu
Position Panel MenuChange between Inch and Metric
Units
Set the coordinate
system to Work or one of six part
coordinate systems
Set The Machine Position
Set the current position to
0,0,0Send the Mill To
a specified coordinate
Machine Information Panel
Current Tool Number
Current Feed Rate Set in ProgramThe Number of Passes
Made In The Current Program
Block Sequence number of
block being executed
Elapsed Time of current jobCurrent Spindle speed
set in the program
Current Coordinate
System
Total number of blocks in the program
Diameter of current
cutting tool
Verify Window
The Verify Window is used to test the program code before attempting to cut a part. This option creates a simulation based on the code and the description of the tools in the tool library. (Click on the picture to show view a simulation)
Verify Setup
Select solid or
centerline to represent the tool and
block
Zoom In/Out or
Fit the block in the
window (All)
Selects from three predefined views: Top, Front and Isometric
Slide the bar rotate the
block
Slide the bar to tilt the
block in the window
Verify - Setup Stock
Set the size of the stock in the verify
windowSet the origin of the stock
(0,0,0). Most parts use the
upper left corner
Identifies the initial tool
position. This is only used
for verify and provides a
reference for the verify process
Verify - Setup Options
Automatically refreshes the
verify window when a change
is made that would make
the solid look different
Centerline Options:
Refresh the display when a change is made that
would make the wireframe look different
Shows rapid moves made by the tool
when checked.
Displays the tool when checked
Jog Control PanelThe jog control panel is used to move the table and spindle.
It is operated by the Mouse or Keyboard
Enables Keyboard Control (F4)Identifies
incremental step distances when
jogging the machine Switches from
incremental to continuous movement
Adjusts the jog feed rate: Slow (1in/min), Med.(12in/min) and Fast(50in/min)
Positive Y Axis jog (up arrow)
Positive X Axis jog (right arrow)
Positive Z Axis jog (plus sign)
Negative Z Axis jog (Minus sign)Negative X Axis
jog (Left Arrow) Negative Y Axis
jog (Down Arrow)
Step at .001 inch (A)
Step at .010 inch (B)
Step at .100 inch (C)
Jogging
Click on the image. Notice how the position indicator changes as the machine is jogged
Jog Control Panel
Right clicking on the Jog Control Panel will produce a Fly-out Menu. Here the mill can be homed, sent to a
position, docked, hidden or setup.
Jog Control Panel
Change the Feed rate for slow, medium and fast settings
Set the incremental steps for A, B, and C
Program Window
The program window is were the NC code is entered. The window can be locked to prohibit accidental edits
while jogging the machine using the
keyboard.
Program Window
When the program window is gray the
program is locked. To unlock the Program
select - Edit - Unlock or hit Ctrl-L.
Program Window
Right Click in the program window to produce the fly-out
menu
Standard Cut/Copy/Paste Will Evaluate
selected codeJump to a
specific line number
Automatically renumbers the
programSaves the file in its current
locationRun the program
without prompting
Verify the program without
promptingEstimate how
long the program will take to run
Status Bar
Prompts the user or provides current
informationShows whether current home
position is valid
Show the state of Caps Lock Show the state of
Number Lock Indicates the line number of the edit cursor and the total
number of lines
Shows status of program lock Indicates whether the file has
been modified since the last save Current Time
Homing The Mill
Homing means to move the spindle or cross slide to a fixed known position on the machine. Homing commands perform two functions:
1. To check against a specified coordinate for calibration loss.
2. To provide for quick machine set up when the part location does not vary.
Help Functions
The help function is easy to use and full of information. The four ways to access help are.
•Selecting the help icon in the Standard tool bar•Selecting help from the main menu•Select the Context Help icon in the Standard tool bar
Context Help allows you to pick on an icon or area of the program interface to get help on that item.
•Selecting the Help button in some dialog boxes
This is similar to context help. It only provides help on the
elements of the current dialog box.
Help Functions
These options are available when you select help from
the main menu bar
Help Functions
Covers menus, toolbars, windows and
screen elementsThings that aren't
quite common procedures but still crop up frequently.
Descriptions of concepts and features
not covered elsewhere.
CNC codes and programming, Linear Interpolation, Circular
Interpolation, Canned Cycle, Subprogramming, Polar
Programming, Homing the Machining Center, Using
Cutter Compensation.
About Light Machines Corporation Customer and
Technical Support.
Help FunctionsEnter the text
you are looking for
here
As you type options related
to you text appear here.
The index function allows you to search for help by
entering keywords and then selecting from a list of
related topics
Help Functions
The save settings option prompts you to select which settings you
wish to save
Help FunctionsThe restore setting allows you to
restore settings to a user default or factory defaults
Help FunctionsSelecting Tip Of The Day will
produce a tip on using the WPLM1000 software. By default
the program offers a tip every time the software is booted.
CNC Milling Machine Axis
The Milling machine moves along three Axis - X, Y and Z. When programmed the mill moves to coordinates along the three axis. The origin is the point at which the three axis meet. The graphic shows the orientation of these axis.
Work Envelope
CNC Milling Machine
Machine Zero or Home Position
WorkpiecePart Reference Zero
X
Y
Z
Table
Xp
Yp
Part Reference Zero (PRZ) Position
D= tool diameter
(0,0,0) PRZ Position
Work Piece
Xm
Ym
Machine Axes
Part Axes- y offset = D/2
Top View - x offset = D/2
Cutting Tool
(0,0,0) PRZ Position
Xp
Zp
Note: x offset = y offset = D/2z offset= 0
Part Reference Zero (PRZ) Position
Front View
Work Piece
Checking PRZ
Send the Mill to a point above the x and Y zero to make sure the center of the cutting tool is over the top front corner.
Tool LibrarySetting up the tool library properly is a critical step. Once the tool library is setup, however, it does not need to be changed unless a new tool is loaded into a an existing tool holder. During setup the tool is defined by its geometry, size, number of teeth and relative length (Height Offset).
Tool LibrarySome of the information in the tool library is simply used when verifying programs. For instance, the NC program only directs the center of the tool so the verify program needs to know the diameter of each tool to show how much material is removed. The tool offsets and tool numbers, however, are very important when running programs with multiple tools. Each tool must be defined with a Tool Height Offset.
Tool Setup
The first step in setting up a tool library is to home the machine. The homing process send the mill to a known position along all three axis. The machine can be homed by:
•Selecting Setup in the menu bar and then “Set/Check Home”
•Holding the “Control” key and typing “H”
•Right Clicking on the Jog Control Panel and selecting “Set/Check Home”
Tool Height Offsets
Tool Height offset
Where does the mill spindle go
when it is directed to a height of .5?
When a tool offset is established the
control program calculates its Height
move using the offset
Tool Setup WizardA wizard is available for setting up tools. Select “Tool - Setup Tool Wizard” from the main menu
The first tool established a
reference height
Click Next
Tool Setup Wizard
Put the reference tool in the
spindle click here.
Click on Next
Tool Setup Wizard
After inserting the reference tool use the jog control panel to put the end of the cutting tool on the top of the
block
Offset gage - Works as a continuity check. The
light shine when a complete circuit is
made by touching the tool and table.
Click Next to continue
Tool Setup Wizard
Your Done! Note that the Z coordinate in the Position Panel changes to zero. The current height is now the reference point. All other tools heights will now be compared to it.
Remove the reference tool and then select
next
Tool Setup Wizard
If the tool library has other tools
defined you may now select them to set the tool height
offset
If the tool is not in the library you
will need to set it up first.
Setting Up The Tool Library
Select the tool number. This will be identified
as tool 1 (M06T1)
Type in a tool descriptionEnter the
Diameter
Setting Up The Tool Library
Select the type of Tool
A Bull Mill has a nose radius on its corners - Define the radius here
An End Mill has a flat bottom. A center cutting is recommended
since plunging is often required
A Ball Mill has a constant radius (1/2
Diameter) on its end.
Setting Up The Tool Library
A Standard Drill (118° Point)
Select the type of Tool
Define the taper angle
Define the diameter at its
end point
An engraving tool is a type of tapered cutter
Setting Up The Tool Library
Load the tool in the spindle and set the parameters
Setting Up The Tool Library
Jog the machine so the tool is
touching the top of the reference
point (Tool offset Gage)
Setting Up The Tool Library
Set the tool Height offset by clicking “Current Z”
Setting Up The Tool Library
Note that the position panel shows a z height of zero. The control software has calculated the difference
between the reference tool and tool 1
Setting Up The Tool Library
Tool Height offset
Continue setting up as many tools as necessary in the library. Any time that a tool is removed from the tool holder (not the spindle) the height offset must be
reset. Now lets take a closer look at some more options in the tool library.
Setup Tool LibraryStation locations are used for mills
equipped with automatic tool
changers.
Number of teeth (flutes) in the cutting tool
Identify tool Material (High Speed Steel is a
good general purpose tool)
Always apply any changes before
continuing to the next tool.
Editing ProgramsThe following techniques are helpful when editing programs:
Find - In the Edit Menu, Find can be used to search for specific text. This might be used to find a moves made to negative Z depths.
Editing ProgramsThe following techniques are helpful when editing programs:
Replace - In the Edit Menu - Used to find specific text and replace it with a correction. Helpful in changing feed rates that have been placed all throughout the program.
Editing ProgramsThe following techniques are helpful when editing programs:
Goto - Found in the Edit menu - Sends the edit cursor to a specified program line. This is helpful when it is necessary to make a change on a line that has been identified by the software as having an error.