WELsoft Website Notes

Note 3  (NB not WELturn or WELmill)

Target audience: WELedit and AlphaCAM users and users entering NC code directly on the machines’ control panel.

Subject: How to verify CNC Code sent to the Emco Compact 5 CNC Lathe (Mk4) or F1 Mill from WELedit or AlphaCAM or entered manually on the machines’ control panel

• After NC code has been sent to the Emco machine it must be verified. That is, the machine must check that it can handle the numbers sent to it. This is not because the numbers are incorrect. Rather, because the smallest movement of the machines is 1/72mm and calculations have been done to 1/100mm, the machines may not be able to make every move asked of them by the NC code.

• Problem numbers usually occur when curves have to be machined. These numbers are usually in M99 lines and are the J and K values (mill) or the I and K values (lathe). It is easy, but a pain, to work round.

• To verify the NC code press and hold down the M (minus) key. The machine works through the code line by line checking all the figures. If you are lucky you will get to the end with no problems. If you are not lucky, an error message will appear because one of the figures on a line is unacceptable.

• If you get an error message, clear it and identify the problem figure by pressing and HOLDING the REV key while you press and RELEASE the INP key. A number will be highlighted, probably a J value (mill) or I value (lathe). Note the number and then delete it with the DEL key. Enter a new number which is the old number plus one (eg old number 60, new number 61) and press the INP key and then the FWD key.

• Continue the verification procedure by pressing and holding the M key. It starts again from the beginning. If there is still a problem with the new number you entered, delete it as before and enter the old number minus one (eg old number 60, new number 59). Check the code again.

• If there is still have a problem, try changing the original J value (mill) or I value (lathe) up or down by 2.

• In the rare event of this failing, restore the original J (mill) or I (lathe) values and try changing the K value up or down by one or two. Sometimes you have to fiddle about for a long time and it’s a pain if the problem is right at the end of a long code list. Eventually you will crack it. There is no short cut as far as I know!

• If you make changes in the code on the Emco machine, make the same changes in the code shown on the WELedit or AlphaEDIT screens and SAVE it so that, next time you will have code that is OK for the part you want to make. Alternatively, remember that WELedit and AlphaEDIT let you receive and save code sent to a PC by a machine. Similarly, update your pencil and paper code list if you have entered code directly on the machines’ control panel.

April 2000

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