Controller Definition Settings
The settings are divided into a number of groups depending on the machine type. Each group contains several parameters that can be defined in the right pane. Some parameters were inherited from the *.prp file used in the previous versions of SolidCAM.
General
Parameter Name |
Description
|
PRP Name |
Enables control and access to devices from the opposite channel in MCO channel |
|
|
Programming Modes |
Define if the GCode output is in relative coordinate positioning mode |
relative_gcode, abs_coord |
Tilted Plane Definition
This section enables you to define the parameters of a tilted working plane. The parameters are used in machining operations on CNC-Machines with several heads and/or tilting tables. When physical rotary axes are missing on the machine, the tilted plane parameters give you full control over coordinates calculation.
Set the required values in each submachine's column.
Rotation Type |
Select one of three options: Use Kinematic Axes /Cycle 19 / Custom |
cycle_19 |
First Rotation Axis |
Enabled with Custom type of rotation |
|
Second Rotation Axis |
Enabled with Custom type of rotation |
|
Third Rotation Axis |
Enabled with Custom type of rotation |
|
Program Numbers
This section enables you to define the programs numbers separately for each channel. Set the required values in each channel's column.
Min Program Number |
Minimum program number allowed |
min_program_number |
Max Program Number |
Maximum program number allowed |
max_program_number |
Min Procedure Number |
Minimum procedure number allowed |
min_proc_number |
Max Procedure Number |
Maximum procedure number allowed |
max_proc_number |
|
Program numbers can be defined differently as per
submachine by lock icon |
Precision Definition
Rotary Axis Precision |
The smallest arc angle below which the arc is converted into a line for rotary axis |
eps_angle |
Movement Precision |
The number of digits after the decimal point for coordinate values in generated GCode and ‘Show data” in Simulation window |
movement_precision |
Feed Precision |
The number of digits after the decimal point for Feed values |
feed_precision |
Spin Precision |
The number of digits after the decimal point for Spin values |
spin_precision |
|
Precision Definition can be defined differently as
per submachine by lock icon |
Arc Execution Definition
This section enables you to define the arc parameters separately for each submachine. Set the required values in each submachine's column.
Support Arcs |
Defines whether the CNC-machine has an arc command |
arc_exist |
Helical Arcs |
Defines whether the CNC-machine has helical arcs |
arc_3d |
4x Helical Arcs |
Defines whether the CNC-machine has arcs with different depths on 4th axis |
arc_3d_4x |
Arc in One Quadrant Only |
Defines whether an arc should be divided into quadrants |
arc_in_quadrants |
Greater Than 180deg Arcs |
Defines whether the CNC-machine has arcs greater than 180° |
arc_gt_180 |
| Arcs in ZX/YZ Plane | Generate GCode that includes arcs in ZX-plane (G18) and YZ-plane (G19) |
arc_zx_yz |
Arcs in Main Planes (XY, YZ, ZX) Only |
Generate GCode that includes arcs in XY-, YZ-, and ZX-planes only. The arcs in other planes are divided to lines. |
arc_in_main_planes |
| 5x Arcs On Face | Generate GCode that includes arcs in face 4x |
arc_5x (PTM = Y) arc_exist (PTM = N) |
| 5x Arcs on Radial | Generate GCode that includes arcs in radial 4x |
arc_exist (PTM = N) |
| Max Chord Length(mm) | Along with Max Arc Angle, defines precision of interpolation of arcs to lines |
arc_max_chord |
| Min Arc Length(mm) | The smallest arc value below which the arc is converted into a line |
arc_min_length |
| Max Arc Angle(deg) | Along with Max Chord Length, define precision of interpolation of arcs to lines |
arc_max_angle |
| Min Arc Angle(deg) | The smallest arc angle below which the arc is converted into a line |
eps_angle |
| Max Arc Radius(mm) | The maximum arc radius value above which the arc is divided into linear segments |
arc_max_radius |
| Min Arc Radius(mm) | The minimum arc radius value below which the arc is divided into linear segments |
arc_min_radius |
|
Arc Definition can be defined differently as per submachine
by lock icon |
Compensation Definition
This section enables you to define the compensation parameters separately for each submachine. Set the required values in each submachine's column.
Compensation Exists |
Define whether the machine has tool-radius compensation capability |
comp_exist |
Compensation Needs First Line |
Tool position at the start of the first block, when the tool-radius compensation is activated |
comp_x_start |
Smallest Movement(mm) |
The smallest value of line movement to start compensation |
zero_value |
Min Delta Arc Rad(mm) |
When compensation exists, each arc radius must not be smaller than the tool radius plus this value |
min_delt_arc_rad |
Turning Definition
This section is available only for Turning and Mill-Turn machines. Set the required values in each submachine's column.
| Turning Cycle | Define whether the machine has a turning cycle | turning_cylce |
| Groove Cycle | Define whether the machine has a groove cycle | groove_cycle |
| Combined Cycles | Define whether the machine has a combined cycle process in one cycle |
combined_cycles |
|
Turning Definition can be defined differently as per
submachine by lock icon |
Pos to Mach No Definition
This section is available only for machines that have posts written in the old style(PTM=N).
Tilt Axis With Deviation Angle |
Plane definition with deviation angles (for GCode generation only) |
tilt_axis_dir_CWCCW |
Tilt Axis Dir CW & CCW |
Enables choosing opposite angle pairs in operations (for GCode generation only) |
tilt_axis_dir_CWCCW |
Tilt Axis Direction |
The direction in which the 5th Axis tilts the workpiece (for GCode generation only) |
tilt_axis_dir |
4x Direction |
Defines the direction of 4x rotation (for GCode generation only) |
direction_4x |
4x Direction - Positive Only |
Defines the direction of rotation of 4x Sim. operation to be positive (for GCode generation only) |
positive_4x_dir_only |
Set Direction |
Enables GCode that uses C-axis of machines with 4th axis (CW/CCW) |
set_dir |
MAC Number (Center of Rotation) |
The home number that is the center of rotation movements during transformation |
center_rot_mac_num |
Default Machine Plane |
Default machine name for home definition |
machine_plane |