Acu-Rite Control System MILLPWRG2 User Manual

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6.1 Conversational Programming
Test the datum setting
Its recommended to test the datum setting before beginning a  
program. 
To confirm the datum setting use the Pos key.
To quickly move to the datum for X and Y, press the Pos key.
With the Z axis at its retract position, enter 0.0000 for the go to 
position for both the X and Y (leave the Z field blank). Press the GO 
key.
The table will move to the datum position X 0.0000, Y 0.0000.
Lower the tool until it touches the part.
Visually check the tools position. The lower left corner of the part 
should be positioned directly beneath the center point of the tool.
The readout screen should be at 0.0000, confirming the datum is 
accurate and programming can now begin. 
The value of 0.0000 in the Z axis display may vary slightly depending 
on how the tool tip contacts the top surface of the part on the corner 
edge. 
						

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6.1 Conversational Programming
Testing a MILLPWRG2 program
Before machining a part, test the program for things like correct tool 
path, count direction, feed rate, and sequence of operations. 
MILLPWR
G2 provides several run-time choices to assist doing this.  
Always verify a program when it was loaded, or edited.
From the PGM screen, press Run Options to display the following soft 
keys:
Whenever a program is about to run, check that the 
handles are recessed.
KeysFunction
Single Step runs through the program one step at a 
time. Some steps will run as a single group such as 
a contour, or custom pocket.
Dry Run runs through the program at the defined dry 
run feedrate instead of programmed feeds. This 
option is useful to more quickly test the tool path 
motion. The dry run feedrate is set in the JOB 
SETUP dialogue.
The Optional Stop soft key will allow the program 
to be stopped at different locations to allow for 
verification of particular program steps selected by 
the operator. If a G-code program has an M01 
(optional stop) in it, the system will only stop at this 
block when Optional Stop is enabled. If it is 
disabled, it will be skipped. 
						

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6.1 Conversational Programming
Press any soft key to activate the option; press it again to 
deactivate it.
Single step
Normally, a continuous contour will be machined without stopping. 
With Single Step activated, MILLPWR
G2 will stop after each step. 
This enables a check of the tool position of the Z axis relative to the 
part and ensure that the tool path and other program details are 
correct. Press the GO key to begin, and after each step finishes.
Dry run
With Dry Run activated, MILLPWR
G2 will run the entire program at 
high speed without stopping. Visually follow the position of the tool 
relative to the part and ensure that the tool path and other program 
details are correct. This can be started at the beginning, or midway of 
a path.  The dry run speed is defined in Job Setup. Press the GO key to 
begin.
Before pressing the GO key to begin the Single Step, Dry 
Run features, check that the tool will not touch the 
workpiece when the quill begins to move. To avoid 
interference, do one or more of the following:


 
						

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6.1 Conversational Programming
Machining your part
Before running a program step, check the Status bar (located along the 
top of the MILLPWRG2 screen) to ensure that the tool identified by 
MILLPWRG2 matches the tool in the spindle. If there’s no tool 
identified, or if it’s incorrect, start with a Set Tool step that accurately 
identifies the tool that is to be used. 
To move quickly to a step, use the UP or DOWN ARROW keys to highlight 
the required step, or just enter a step number using the numeric 
keypad. A Goto program line number popup dialogue is immediately 
displayed. The total number of lines in the program are shown in the 
Line Count: field. 
Enter the desired line number and press ENTER. 
PressENTER or USE again to edit the program step.
After highlighting the step to begin with, press the GO key. An Operator 
Intervention Message may ask to confirm that the tool is correct. 
Confirm that the correct tool is being used, then press the GO key again 
to begin milling. 
If the tool is positioned above the Z axis retract position before running 
a program, the table will rapidly move to position, and then the quill will 
rapidly move to the retract position. If the tool is below the retract 
position, the quill will move first. 
Once the quill has reached its retract position, it will rapidly move to 
the Begin depth then move at the programmed feed rate to the End 
depth. 
If the upper travel limit for the Z axis is set below the established 
retract position, a travel limit fault will occur and the program will stop. 
A 2 axes system requires that the quill be raised manually 
before pressing GO.
The remote STOP/GO switch acts as a pause switch if the 
table is moving, and as a GO switch if the machine is 
paused or stopped. 
						

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6.1 Conversational Programming
MILLPWRG2 will automatically pause at points that require action to 
be taken (e.g., change tools). After each task has been completed, 
press the GO key.
If the STOP key is pressed once while cutting, the tool will pause in its 
cutting path and an Operator Intervention Message will appear. Press 
GO to resume machining, or STOP again to end the program. 
Potentiometer for feedrate override
Feedrate Override are controlled with the potentiometer which will 
change the feed rate by a certain percentage with the knob rotation. 
The feed rate percentage will be displayed in the status bar at the top 
of the screen. A feed rate percentage of 100% means that actual feed 
rates will run at 100% of the programmed feed rates. If the feed rate 
percentage is 50%, actual feed rates will run at half of the 
programmed feed rates. 
Adjustment of the feed rate with the potentiometer can be done at any 
time, even while the table or quill is moving.
A 2 axes system requires the Z axis to be moved manually 
into position.
If machining is started from the middle of a program, 
MILLPWRG2 will determine which tool should be used, 
and will prompt the operator to mount the tool if it is not 
mounted. It will also begin at the beginning of the current 
path. 
						

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6.1 Conversational Programming
Manually positioning the quill 
Programs that do not include a Begin depth will require the operator 
to manually position the Z axis during machining. The same is true 
when the Z axis has been disengaged during setup. 
If an End depth is programmed, when it is time to manually position 
the Z axis, a preset value will be displayed in the Z axis display. The 
DRO screen will appear, along with the prompts shown. 
An example of an Operator Intervention Message (OIM) similar to the 
one shown to the right will appear.
Manually move the Z axis incrementally until 0.0000 is displayed for 
the Z axis.
For additional information regarding 2 Axes operation see Operating 
in 2 Axes and 3 Axes Modes on page 31
When multiple passes are required, in this example the 
complete program can be run for each pass.  It may also 
be necessary to repeat a set of steps for each pass in a 
program (e.g. milling a pocket). 
						

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6.2 Folders
6.2  Folders
Folder functions
The soft keys available are described in the previous chapter, see 
Program functions soft keys on page 83.
MILLPWR
G2 offers several versatile features for loading, saving, 
deleting, and backing up programs. Programs can be organized by 
creating folders. Folders can be quickly selected, created, make a 
backup copy, or if necessary, deleted. 
Folders
Organize programs by saving them in folders. Folders may be used to 
group programs by job, operator, date, customer, or any other method 
preferred. Creating folders can only be done in PGM mode.
Creating a folder
First decide where to place the folder. It can be placed on V:\User 
which is the MILLPWR
G2 folder in the console, on a USB device, on a 
network, or within sub-folders that have already been created. Use the 
following steps to create any type of folder, top level or sub level 
folders.
Press the Program Functions soft key, then press the Folder View 
soft key.
Press the Change Window soft key to select the Folder Tree window.
Navigate through the folders to place the cursor where the new 
folder is to be created by using the ARROW keys. 
To expand a folder use the RIGHT ARROW key.  To collapse an 
expanded folder, use the LEFT ARROW key.
Highlight the folder where the new sub-folder is to be placed, and 
press the Create Folder  soft key. 
When the Folder View soft key is activated, it remains 
active until it is pressed again to deactivate folder view.  
						

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6.2 Folders
Naming a new folder
Using the on screen Keyboard, enter the name of the new folder.  If 
the keyboard is not automatically displayed, press the Keyboard soft 
key. 
Once the new folder’s name has been entered, press the Save/
Create soft key to create the new folder.
Deleting a folder
MILLPWR
G2 will delete folders that contain programs, or files. 
MILLPWRG2 will prompt the operator that there are files within the 
folder, and ask for confirmation if they are to be deleted.
Press the PROGRAM FUNCTIONS soft key, then press the Folder View 
soft key.
Press the Change Window soft key to select the Folder Tree window.
Navigate through the folders, and place the cursor where the  folder 
is to be deleted.
Press the Function soft key, and select Delete from the popup 
menu.
Press the Yes soft key to erase the folder, and all files in the folder, 
or the No soft key to cancel.
Saving a program
When creating programs with the MILLPWR
G2, they can be saved 
within MILLPWRG2s User folder, on a USB device, or to a network 
location. A graphic view of the program is displayed in the Preview 
Window if it has been run successfully.
Programs can be organized in MILLPWR
G2, on a USB device, or a 
network location; or in personalized folders that the operator can 
create. 
To save the current program for the first time:
Press the Program Functions soft key.
Press the Save/Create soft key.
The keyboard should automatically be displayed with the cursor in the 
Program Name field (see Keyboard on page 39).  
Once a folder is deleted it cannot be recovered.  
						

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6.2 Folders
Naming a program
Before you can save a program, MILLPWRG2 requires it to be named.
Enter the program name using the ARROW keys to navigate the 
keyboard.  Highlight the key to be used (e.g. letter, or number), then 
press the ENTER key to add the selection into the Program Name: Field.  
Continue in the same manner until the name is complete.
To add numbers to your program name, press any of the number keys 
on the numerical keypad, or from the keyboard display. 
Press the Save/Create soft key. MILLPWRG2 will store the program 
in the folder that had been previously selected. 
A message will alert you if the program was not saved properly, or if 
the name that you’ve chosen already exists.
Back up MILLPWR
G2 programs regularly to avoid accidental loss 
(e.g. USB device, or to a network location).
Deleting a program
Press the Change Window soft key to select the Folder Contents 
window.
Highlight the desired program.
Press the Function soft key, and select Delete from the popup 
menu.
Press the Yes soft key to erase the program, or the No soft key to 
cancel.
Once a program is deleted it cannot be recovered.  
						

							1206 Programming
6.2 Folders
Loading a MILLPWRG2 (MPT) program
The Load soft key allows you to open programs in the folder listing. 
The steps below explain how to load a program from MILLPWR
G2 
User folder, a USB device, or from a network location.
If a program is loaded, save the open program, it does not have to 
be cleared.
From the PGM screen, press the Program Functions soft key.
When a program is not located in the current folder, select the 
location of the MILLPWRG2 program using the Folder View soft key, 
and Change Window soft key as needed. 
Verify that MILLPWRG2 programs is selected in the Program Type 
popup menu. Only MILLPWRG2 programs stored in the selected 
folder will be displayed, see Program type filter on page 93.
Using the ARROW keys for navigation in the display window, highlight 
the MILLPWRG2 program to load.
Press the Load soft key, and verify that the desired program is now 
loaded.
When loading a program from a network, or a USB memory device, 
first select the device from the Folders Tree, then follow the same 
procedure as would be done from the MILLPWR
G2 User folder.
Program extensions:
MILLPWRG2 programs have a .mpt extension.
G-code programs have a .G or .NC extension.
DXF files must have a .DXF extension.
Use Folder View for locating folders, and programs to 
load. 
It is recommended that all programs be copied to the local 
MILLPWRG2 User folder for usage.