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Fixture Indicating Example (tip - save this page and then print it out for reference)

This example will use system variables to update the coordinates of new fixtures in
the G54-G59 fixture offsets. After positioning over the old zero point you will
indicate the new fixture and update the proper coordinate system (G54-G59). This
is easy to do with system variables. For example:  

• O0001(INDICATING PROGRAM);
• G90G80G40G49G17G20;
• N1G0G54G43H1X0Y0Z3.3;
• #103=#5003; {Store Current Z Point}
• #33=1; {Initialize Loop Counter TO 1}
• #130=20; {Initialize Coordinate Counter TO 20}
• #3006=1(INDICATE);
• #104=#5003; {Store Manually Moved Z Point}
• #5221=#5021; {Set New X Coordinate}
• #5222=#5022; {Set New Y Coordinate}
• G0Z#103; {Return to Initial Point}
• WHILE[#33LT6]DO1; {Set Loop for Six Fixtures}
• G0G[54+#33]X0Y0; {Position To Next Fixture Zero}
• G0Z[#104+.3]; {Rapid Above Boss}
• G1Z#104F10.0; {Feed the Indicator to the Boss}
• #3006=1(MANUALLY INDICATE FIXTURE);
• #[5221+#130]=#5021; {Reset X Coordinate}
• #[5222+#130]=#5022; {Reset Y Coordinate}
• G0Z#103; {Rapid to Initial Point}
• #130=#130+20.0; {Increment Count to Next Coordinate System}
• #33=#33+1; {Increment Counter}
• END1; {End the Loop}
• #3006=1(REMOVE INDICATOR);
• G0G91G28Z2.0M9;
• M30;

How It Works

When Cycle Start is pressed the machine rapids to the X0, Y0 of the old fixture, and the "Z" axis point set in line N1. The #3006=1(INDICATE) halts the program and displays the prompt "INDICATE" on the CRT screen. It does not matter what current screen is displayed. The screen will change to the "OPERATOR MESSAGE" screen (System 10, 11, 15, 16-18 only).

You then mount your indicator and manually indicate the new fixture. The Z axis position that is dialed becomes the new "Z0". The X and Y axis can be moved any amount necessary. Then instead of getting the new location and manually entering it into the proper coordinate system, you simply go back into "memory" and press Cycle Start.

The current machine position is loaded into the proper coordinates, the head rapids to the initial point and moves to the next coordinate system. The head then rapids to .3" above the point set manually at G54. It feeds the final .3" to protect the indicator.

After the last fixture is indicated, the #3006=1(REMOVE INDICATOR) causes the screen to change to the "OPERATOR MESSAGE" screen and display the message. The first time you use this program is scary, but it saves time after you are familiar with it. This program could be easily modified to use an edge finder instead of an indicator.  You can see that the standard CNC programming language doesn't have this type of power. 

The following figure shows a typical setup with six parts on a pallet. The fixture macro would be used to indicate all six fixtures without having to manually enter the new locations for X0 and Y0.  This is the next best thing to buying a Renishaw probe!

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Last modified: July 25, 2008