Acu-Rite Control System MILLPWRG2 User Manual

							DRO Mode and 
Calculator 
						

							523 DRO Mode and Calculator
3.1 DRO Manual Data Input
3.1  DRO Manual Data Input
Overview
The MILLPWRG2 is in either DRO mode or PGM mode. DRO mode allows 
data input for short one step machining operations.  Manual operation, 
single step operation, and single commands can be entered. DRO mode 
also allows the running of programs; See DRO operations on page 
60.
The following describes the concepts, and formats used with the 
MILLPWR
G2 which are being introduced in this chapter.
DRO Screen
Status Bar Display
Move Table
Milling Functions
Zeroing an Axis
Teach Position
Electronic Edge Finder
Skewing
Milling Function Keys
DRO Operations
DRO Mill Cycles
Calculator 
						

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3.1 DRO Manual Data Input
DRO screen
The DRO screen displays information per the current operation. The 
DRO mode allows the use of the milling function hard keys, or can be 
used as a DRO in manual machining operations. 
In addition to the information provided in Chapter 1 DRO mode 
display on page 34, the following table describes what is being 
viewed on the display in DRO mode. 
When the console is first turned on, the soft keys Shut Down, Find 
Home, and Cancel are displayed.  
Press the Find Home soft key.
After pressing either the Find Home, or Cancel soft key, the default 
DRO screen will be displayed.
If the MILLPWRG2 did not perform the Find Home feature 
at start up, press the Datum soft key from the default DRO 
screen to display the Home soft key.  Press the Home soft 
key then the Find Home soft key will be displayed. 
1Status Bar displays the servo motor status Stop/Run/Pause,  
feedrate override, current Tool (blank if none is selected), Datum, 
Scale, Skew,  unit of measure selected (Inch/MM), Estimated 
Time, Part Clock, Parts (run), Job Clock, and Time of Day. 
See Status Bar display on page 54
2Display current position of each axis, and relative to the current 
datum. 
3Operator Intervention Message line (OIM) that provides prompts, 
and messages to the operator.
4Soft keys display. The soft keys change per the function that has 
been selected. Each are activated by the associated hard key that 
is directly below it. When a soft key appears as being pressed, it 
is activated. If the key is not pressed in, it is not currently active. 
Active soft key text changes to yellow text when the feature of 
the key is not currently available.
5This window displays program steps if a program is loaded. If no 
program is loaded, then this window is blank. When a function 
has been selected (e.g. Pocket), its dialogue box would be 
displayed in this window. 
						

							543 DRO Mode and Calculator
3.1 DRO Manual Data Input
Status Bar display
Status Bar 
DisplayDescription
Program 
StateThis field indicates the program state: Stop when 
program is not running, Run when program is 
running, or Pause when program is paused for 
operator.
Feed This field indicates the current feedrate of the table 
or quill.
Tool In DRO mode, this field indicates the current tool 
selection.  In PGM mode, this field indicates the 
programmed tool for the highlighted step.
Datum This field indicates the active Datum number.
Scale This field indicates the active Scale factor.
Skew This field indicates the active Skew angle.
Units This field indicates the active display units.  All 
dimensions are displayed in these units (inch or 
mm).  The current feedrate is displayed in these 
units (inch or mm per minute).
Estimated 
TimeThis field indicates the estimated machining time for 
the active program.  This time assumes the program 
runs at 100% of the programmed feeds.  It does not 
include the time necessary to perform manual 
operations such as changing a tool.
An unfinished simulation run will result in no time 
displayed (--:--:--).
Part ClockThis field shows the cumulative running time of the 
current program.  The timer is reset when a program 
is loaded.
Parts This field shows the number of times the current 
program was run to create a part.
Job ClockThis field shows the total elapsed time for the 
current job.  This timer is started and stopped by the 
operator.
Time of 
DayThis field shows the current time. 
						

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3.1 DRO Manual Data Input
Move table
The Move Table soft key when pressed will turn on the servo motors. 
Pressing it again will turn the servo motors off.
The desired feed rate can be set, or it can be left at 100% for rapid 
feed rate. See Adjusting the feedrate on page 50.
To move the table in increments, first select the soft key increment 
wanted (e.g. 0.001, or 0.01, or 0.1).
A 3 axes system allows the Z axis to be moved by selecting the soft 
keys Move Z Up, or Move Z Down.
A 2 axes system requires the Z axis to be moved manually.
A 3 axes system allows the X, Y, (and Z) axis can be moved 
simultaneously by pressing the desired direction ARROW hard keys at 
the same time.
A 2 axes system allows the X, and  Y axis to be moved simultaneously 
by pressing the desired direction ARROW hard keys at the same time.
Milling function
One Step Milling function may also be referred to as Single Cycle 
milling functions. Most milling functions can be used as one time 
machining operations as well as for programming.  The BLEND key does 
not support single operation.  Each milling function will either open its 
own dialogue or allow selection of choices from a soft key popup.  
These milling function keys are described in more detail later in this 
chapter.
Always fold in the table crank handles before moving the 
table using the servos.
The axis move one increment per key press when using 
step increment. The axis moves continuously until 
released when using continuous jog. 
Single cycle milling functions allow use of internal 
incremental reference. 
						

							563 DRO Mode and Calculator
3.1 DRO Manual Data Input
Zeroing an axis
Pressing the Zero X, Zero Y, or Zero Z soft keys will zero the 
incremental position for those axes.
A datum must be set to establish the point from which all absolute 
dimensions are based.
Teach position
Whenever X, Y or Z coordinates are being entered, the Teach Position 
soft key will appear, enabling MILLPWRG2 to be in teach mode and to 
use the current coordinate(s). MILLPWRG2 will base each coordinate 
on the current absolute position, and enter that position into the field 
that is highlighted.
To teach the MILLPWR
G2 a coordinate (while programming a milling 
function e.g. Rectangle Pocket):
Use the ARROW keys to highlight the X, Y, or Z axis fields.
Move your tool, indicator, or electronic edge finder to the position 
you want to teach.
Press the Teach Position soft key to enter that location then press 
the ENTER key.
The numeric keypad, and calculator functions can be used to adjust 
the number.
Repeat the steps for each axis and each location that will be used to 
teach the MILLPWRG2.
Press USE to accept the dialogue or press CANCEL to cancel the 
dialogue.
While programming, the MILLPWRG2 can switch between 
the DRO and PGM screens without losing the program 
that is either being created, or being edited.
Whenever the Teach Position soft key is available, the 
Probe soft key is also available.  This probe feature allows 
the location of an edge or midpoint (centerline) to be 
entered into the coordinate using the edge finder. Refer to 
Chapter 6 Using an electronic edge finder on page 108. 
						

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3.1 DRO Manual Data Input
Electronic edge finder
A HEIDENHAIN Electronic Edge Finder enables you to teach  
positions, find the center point of a circle, skew a part or locate datum 
(also referred to as workpiece zero) by simply touching off on the part. 
The advantage of an electronic edge finder is that it instantly senses 
when you’ve made contact with the point even when you over-travel.
MILLPWR
G2 lets you define the diameter and unit of measure for an 
electronic edge finder. Once this information has been entered, 
MILLPWR
G2 will automatically compensate for the radius of the tip of 
the electronic edge finder when performing any of the operations 
mentioned above.
To teach a coordinate with the edge finder, highlight the appropriate 
field then slowly move the table (1in/min) until the electronic edge 
finder touches the workpiece. When the electronic edge finder 
touches the part’s surface, the coordinate will appear in the field. The 
electronic edge finder is active whenever an entry field is highlighted. 
						

							583 DRO Mode and Calculator
3.1 DRO Manual Data Input
Skewing
The skew function automatically compensates for the offset angle of 
the part when it is not perfectly parallel with either the X or Y axis. 
Press the DRO/PGM key to place the MILLPWRG2 in DRO mode. 
Press the ABS/INCR key to place the MILLPWRG2 in ABS mode.
Press the Datum soft key to open the Set Datum dialogue.
Enter the Datum Number in the DATUM NUMBER field.
Enter the Skew Angle in the SKEW ANGLE field.
Press the CANCEL key at any time to cancel and exit the Set Datum 
dialogue.
To compensate for the skewed part, touch off on two or more points 
along one axis, either X or Y. Use an electronic edge finder or a 
mechanical indicator. At each point selected, press the Teach 
Position soft key to enter the data.
Always choose a line that you want to make parallel with the table’s X 
or Y axis, do not enter coordinates along a curve, along two different 
lines or along a line that’s positioned at a true 45 degree angle. 
MILLPWR
G2 will calculate the skew angle based upon a straight line 
between the points you’ve entered.
If you’re working with a part that has a rough edge, it’s best to enter 
multiple points along the straightest edge so that MILLPWR
G2 can 
more accurately calculate the skew angle.
Each datum has its own skew angle. When a new datum 
is selected, that datum’s skew angle will be used.
The skew feature does not work with G-code programs. 
Remove any skew angle prior to running a G-code 
program. 
						

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3.1 DRO Manual Data Input
Milling function keys
The following describes in general, the milling function keys.
Most milling functions can be used as one time machining operations.  
The BLEND key does not support single operation.
Hard KeyFunction
TOOL opens the SET TOOL dialogue where 
information regarding the tool can be entered.
RECT opens the popup menu above the Rectangle 
soft key. Choose the type of rectangle milling that is 
to be done by selecting it from the popup menu. The 
required dialogue will open for that choice.
CIRCLE opens the Circle popup menu above the 
Circle soft key. Choose the type of circle milling 
that is to be done by selecting it from the popup 
menu. The required dialogue will open for that 
choice.
HOLES opens the popup menu above the Hole 
Pattern soft key. Choose the type of hole drilling 
that is to be done by selecting it from the popup 
menu. The dialogue where information can be 
entered to drill a row, frame, array, or a bolt circle 
pattern will open.
POS opens the POSITION / DRILL dialogue where 
information can be entered to move the table to a 
position in the X & Y direction.
LINE opens the MILL LINE dialogue where 
information can be entered to mill a line. 
ARC opens the MILL ARC dialogue where 
information can be entered to mill an arc.
BLEND opens the BLEND dialogue while in PGM mode 
where information can be entered to mill an arc, 
blending two surfaces together.  Also used for 
chamfer. 
						

							603 DRO Mode and Calculator
3.1 DRO Manual Data Input
DRO operations
The following explains a few of the machining operations that are 
available.  This example is providing an overview to the operator of the 
MILLPWR
G2 capabilities.  
The RECT, or CIRCLE keys as an example access popup menus to 
further refine the type of milling to be completed.  Selecting the type 
of milling operation required will open the dialogue for that  type of 
milling operation.
An operation is run by pressing the USE key. The CANCEL key can be 
pressed at anytime to cancel an operation.
Rectangle milling
Press the RECT key on the front panel. The soft key is 
displayed, and a popup menu appears on the display 
listing the type of rectangles available for milling. 
Rectangle milling example
 (e.g. pocket, frame, face, or slot)
Select Pocket from the popup menu.
The popup menu disappears, and the Rectangle Pocket dialogue is 
displayed .
Enter the data to mill the pocket.
An operation is run by pressing the GO key.  While running a graphic 
representation can be seen by pressing the VIEW key.  The STOP key 
can be pressed at anytime to pause, or stop an operation.