4.12 Pallet Management
Application
Pallet tables are used for machining centers with pallet changer: The pallet table calls the part programs that are required for the different pallets, and activates datum shifts or datum tables.
You can also use pallet tables to run in succession several programs that have different datums.
Pallet tables contain the following information:
nPAL/PGM (entry obligatory):
Identification for pallet or NC program (select with ENT or NO ENT) nNAME (entry obligatory):
Pallet or program name. The machine tool builder determines the pallet name (see Machine Manual). The program name must be stored in the same directory as the pallet table. Otherwise you must enter the full path name for the program.
nDATUM (entry optional):
Name of the datum table. The datum table must be stored in the same directory as the pallet table. Otherwise you must enter the full path name for the datum table. Datums from the datum table can be activated in the NC program with Cycle 7 DATUM SHIFT.
nX, Y, Z (entry optional, other axes also possible):
For pallet names, the programmed coordinates are referenced to the machine datum. For NC programs, the programmed coordinates are referenced to the pallet datum. These entries overwrite the datum that you last set in the Manual mode of operation. With the miscellaneous function M104 you can reactivate the datum that was last set. With the actual-position-capture key, the TNC opens a window that enables you to have the TNC enter various points as datums (see table below):
Pallet table management is a machine-dependent function. The standard functional range will be described in the following. Refer to your machine manual for more information.
Position Meaning
Actual values Enter the coordinates of the current tool position relative to the active coordinate system.
Reference values
Enter the coordinates of the current tool position relative to the machine datum.
ACTL measured values
Enter the coordinates relative to the active coordinate system of the datum last probed in the Manual operating mode.
REF measured values
Enter the coordinates relative to the machine datum of the datum last probed in the Manual operating mode.
4.12 P a llet Manag e ment
With the arrow keys and ENT, select the position that you wish to confirm. Then press the ALL VALUES soft key so that the TNC saves the respective coordinates of all active axes in the pallet table. With the PRESENT VALUE soft key, the TNC saves the coordinates of the axis on which the highlight in the pallet table is presently located.
If you have not defined a pallet before an NC program, the programmed coordinates are then referenced to the machine datum. If you do not define an entry, the datum that was set manually remains active.
Editing function Soft key
Select beginning of table
Select end of table
Select previous page in table
Select next page in table
Insert the last line in the table
Delete the last line in the table
Go to the beginning of the next line
Add the entered number of lines to the end of the table
Copy the highlighted field (2nd soft-key row)
Insert the copied field (2nd soft-key row)
82 4 Programming: Fundamentals of NC, File Management, Programming Aids, Pallet Management
4.12 P a llet Manag e ment
Selecting a pallet table
777
7Call the file manager in the Programming and Editing or Program Run mode: Press the PGM MGT key.
777
7Display all type .P files: Press the soft keys SELECT TYPE and SHOW .P.
7 77
7Select a pallet table with the arrow keys, or enter a new file name to create a new table.
777
7Confirm your entry with the ENT key.
To leave the pallet file:
7 77
7To call the file manager, press the PGM MGT soft key.
7 77
7To select a different type of file, press the SELECT TYPE soft key and the soft key for the desired file type, for example SHOW.H.
777
7Select the desired file.
Executing the pallet file
7 77
7Select the file manager in the operating mode Program Run, Full Sequence or Program Run, Single Block: Press the PGM MGT key.
777
7Display all type .P files: Press the soft keys SELECT TYPE and SHOW .P.
7 77
7Select pallet table with the arrow keys and confirm with ENT.
777
7To execute pallet table: Press the NC Start button. The TNC executes the pallets as set in Machine Parameter 7683.
In machine parameter 7683, set whether the pallet table is to be executed blockwise or continuously (see “General User Parameters” on page 448).
4.12 P a llet Manag e ment
Screen layout for executing pallet tables
You can have the TNC display the program contents and pallet file contents on the screen together by selecting the screen layout PGM + PALLET. During execution, the TNC then shows program blocks to the left and the pallet to the right. To check at the program contents before execution, proceed as follows:
77
77Select a pallet table.
7 7 7
7With the arrow keys, choose the program you would like to check.
7 7 7
7Press the OPEN PGM soft key: The TNC displays the selected program on the screen. You can now page through the program with the arrow keys.
7 7 7
7To return to the pallet table, press the END PGM soft key.
84 4 Programming: Fundamentals of NC, File Management, Programming Aids, Pallet Management