Acu-Rite Control System MILLPWRG2 User Manual

							ACU-RITE MILLPWRG2 91
5.1 Programming Introduction
Run options soft keys
The Run Options soft key allows the program to be run and tested with 
various options for a program. These options allow the operator to test 
a program without actually cutting material. The Run Options must be 
set before you start to run the program.
Soft keyFunction
The Single Step soft key will move the machine one 
step at a time.
The Dry Run soft key will run the program’s tool path 
at the speed defined in Job Setup. No material 
should be placed within the tool path for this 
function. Dry Run is intended to provide a quick 
verification of the machine movements in the 
program.
The Optional Stop soft key will allow the program 
to be stopped at different locations to allow for 
verification of particular program steps selected has 
the operator. If a program has an optional stop (i.e.: 
M01 in a G-code program), the system will only stop 
at this block when Optional Stop is enabled. If it is 
disabled, it will be skipped. The Optional Stop is an 
M01 in a G-code program.
The Look Ahead soft key will detect when 
programmed features with an offset are too small 
for the current tool radius and adjusts the path as 
needed.
The Exit soft key will exit the Run Options function 
and return to the previous display. 
						

							925 Program Overview
5.1 Programming Introduction
Program saving
When you create programs with the MILLPWRG2, they can be saved 
within MILLPWRG2s User folder, on a USB device, or  a network 
location.
MILLPWR
G2 will retain a program in memory so it is not lost in the 
case of a power failure.
Programs can be organized in MILLPWR
G2, on a USB device, or a 
network location; or in personalized folders that the operator can 
create.
Saving a program
A new blank program can be saved prior to having any program 
steps added, a newly created set of program steps can be saved as 
a new program, or an existing program can either be saved as a new 
program by replacing the current name, or save the existing 
program.
To save the current active program, select the Save  
soft key. The keyboard will popup with the Save key 
highlighted. Press the ENTER key. A prompt will ask to 
overwrite the existing program. Press the Yes 
softkey.
The keyboard will automatically be displayed with the current program 
name highlighted in the keyboard display window (see Keyboard on 
page 39).  
The Save/Discard key is also available to quickly save a program, or 
discard any changes made since the last time it was saved.
Press the Save/Create soft key to save the program 
with its current name, or enter a new name for the 
current program to create a new program.
A name can not be longer than 60 alphanumeric 
characters. The MILLPWRG2 displays program names as 
they were entered. No two programs can have the same 
name.
The program’s graphic preview is updated whenever the 
program is saved. In order for the new graphic preview to 
be created correctly, the program must not have any 
errors. The operator must allow the program graphics to 
finish drawing the program before pressing any keys. 
						

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5.2 Program Mode Functions
5.2  Program Mode Functions
Program type filter
In PGM mode, press the Program Functions soft key to display the 
Folder View, and Program Type soft keys. Program type aids with 
locating programs by type, and reduces the number of programs that 
are displayed.
To select what type of programs to show, press the Program Type 
soft key, and select which program type(s) to display using the ARROW 
keys.
USB access
As soon as the USB memory device is inserted, its contents will be 
displayed in the Folder Contents window. From here the operator 
can modify, copy, delete, etc. any of the programs, or folders on the 
USB device.
In PGM mode, the operator can access a USB memory device by 
inserting the USB device into a USB port of the MILLPWR
G2.  
From DRO mode, press the DRO/PGM to enter PGM mode.
Press the Program Functions soft key.
Press the Folder View soft key. 
The display will now show the USB device in the Folder Contents 
window, and when selected, will show its content in the upper right 
window.
It is recommended to copy programs from the USB 
device to the user folder and use the program from the 
MILLPWR
G2.
Prior to removing the USB memory device, check that the 
activity indicator light on the USB drive is not active or 
blinking. This will ensure that all commanded disk 
operations have completed, and that it is now safe to 
remove the drive. 
						

							945 Program Overview
5.3 Creating Programs Overview
5.3  Creating Programs Overview
New part program
The following briefly describes how a new program is created. See 
Fundamentals for Creating a Program on page 99 for more complete 
information. 
Press the DRO/PGM key from DRO mode to enter PGM mode.
A new program can be created from an existing program, or create 
a completely new program.
To create a new program from an existing program:
Press the Program Functions soft key.
Select an existing program that will be used to create the new 
program, and press the Load soft key.
Press the Program Functions soft key.
Press the Save soft key. Press the Keyboard soft key to display the 
keyboard if the keyboard is not automatically displayed.  Type in the 
name of the new program and select Save.
The new program is now loaded, and can be modified as required. 
To create a new (blank) program:
When a program is currently loaded, press the Clear Program soft 
key in the PGM mode display to clear the loaded program from 
memory, and to create a new program.
Press the Save soft key. Press the Keyboard soft key to display the 
keyboard if the keyboard is not automatically displayed.  Type in the 
name of the new program and select Save. 
						

							Programming 
						

							966 Programming
6.1 Conversational Programming
6.1  Conversational Programming
Programming considerations
“From” and “To” points
Lines and arcs are defined by their From point (the point where they 
begin) and To point (the point where they end).
Depth of cut
When programming the depth of cut, MILLPWR
G2 will prompt for the 
Begin and End locations for the Z axis. 
The location that is entered into the Z Begin field tells MILLPWR
G2 
where the quill is to begin cutting at the programmed feed rate. The 
End location defines the depth of the cut.
Pass
Pass refers to the number of cuts or the distance (depth) of each cut 
that are used to machine an area to its End depth. The operator selects 
which is to be required in this field from Job Setup.  In the Job Setup 
dialogue, Distance or Number of Cycles must be selected. Which 
selection is chosen will appear on all dialogues where it is required. 
The number of passes can be controlled by entering a value in the 
Pass field (where ever it is available). 
 Always be sure that the Begin location is above the 
surface of the workpiece.
Pass is ignored on 2 axes systems. The operator must set 
the depth of cut for each pass, and repeat the operation 
until the full depth has been reached (see Machining your 
part on page 114).
Leaving the field blank programs the MILLPWRG2 to make 
the cut in the number of passes it decides is necessary. 
No pass will exceed the diameter of the active tool 
						

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6.1 Conversational Programming
Tool offset
MILLPWRG2 will calculate the actual tool path when using left and 
right offsets. Program the dimensions of the part as identified by the 
part drawing.
Program a line, arc, frame, etc. using the “Tool Offset” field to tell 
MILLPWR
G2 which side of the line the tool is to be on. See Tool radius 
offset .
To determine which offset to use:  If the tool needs to be on the left 
side of the line, use a Left offset. If the tool needs to be on the right 
side of the line, use a Right offset. 
When using a Center offset, the programmed dimensions are for the 
center of the tool. For some milling functions, like frame and arc, 
Inside and Outside offsets are available to make it easier to define the 
tool offset.
Datum selection
The datum is where workpiece (absolute) zero is located. See Steps 
to establish the datum .
If the datum isnt defined on your print, then determine the datum 
based upon where most of the dimensions originate. 
Pick a point which will let you enter most of the dimensions directly, 
with fewest calculations.
Establishing a datum requires that the  Z retract position be provided 
(the position the quill returns to between program steps). 
By setting a retract position, you can ensure that the tool you are 
using does not make contact with your workpiece when the quill 
moves from one position to the next. 
Establish a retract position for the Z axis each time the console is 
powered, otherwise the MILLPWR
G2 will use the quill’s previous 
retract position.
A two axes system also requires the Z depth, and Z retract 
position. The operator will be prompted to manually move 
to a depth, or retract position. 
						

							986 Programming
6.1 Conversational Programming
Absolute vs. incremental dimensions
MILLPWRG2 allows both absolute and incremental dimensions to be 
entered. A dimension measured from the point you defined as datum 
is an absolute dimension. A dimension measured from any other point 
is an incremental dimension. See Absolute and incremental work 
piece positions .
The dimension moves of 8, then 8 again are incremental moves.
The dimension moves of 8, then 16 are absolute moves.
Continuous milling
When you program a continuous contour of lines and/or arcs the 
contour will cut without stopping if there is no programmed stop. 
MILLPWR
G2 will automatically recognize continuous contours as 
youre programming. There are no special key presses or other 
functions to learn.
For lines and arcs to be continuous, they must:
Be consecutive steps in a program.
Have the same depth.
Be cut with the same tool.
Be cut using the same tool offset.
Share a common “From” or “To” point (one step must end at the 
point where the next one begins).
If one step follows another, then MILLPWR
G2 assumes that they are 
to be connected (see steps 003 through 006). The single line bracket 
indicates the steps that will be machined with continuous milling.
MILLPWR
G2 automatically fills in the From point, Depth, and Tool 
Offset from the previous step. The To point must be filled in, and then 
press the USE key. 
Different feed rates within each step of a continuous 
contour are allowed, and can be used. 
						

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6.1 Conversational Programming
Fundamentals for Creating a Program
In DRO mode press the DRO/PGM key to enter program mode.
Programs are created by developing a list of milling steps to be 
performed. As steps are added to the list, each will immediately be 
drawn on the screen so that it can be displayed graphically, showing 
the part machining in progress.
Entering milling steps
Before any programming steps are entered, a tool must first be 
selected and entered. See Editing the tool table .
The milling function keys are among the eight yellow keys located in 
the upper right corner of the console. The function you select will 
appear in the program listing and will enable you to enter the data and 
add the step into the program.
Additional milling functions are available in PGM mode, and are 
accessed by pressing the Program Steps soft key. Program Steps soft 
keys are also displayed when RECT, CIRCLE, or the HOLES keys are 
pressed in PGM mode.
To enter a milling step, press the appropriate milling function (e.g. 
LINE). Some keys will open a popup menu with the soft key to 
further define the type of milling step that is to be performed.
After entering the data for the program step, press the 
USE key to add the step to the program.
Press the CANCEL key at anytime to exit the milling step dialogue and 
not add it to the program.
MillPwr G2 allows a maximum of 9999 program steps. 
						

							1006 Programming
6.1 Conversational Programming
Adding/inserting milling steps
A new program step number automatically appears following the 
last step entered, and the new step is highlighted.
If the cursor was moved for any reason, use the ARROW keys to 
highlight the new step, then select the milling function to be added.
To insert a step between two existing steps, position the cursor to 
the step below where the new step is to be placed.
Press the desired milling function key, and it will be inserted above 
the highlighted program step.
Additional milling functions are available by pressing the Program 
Steps soft key. The soft keys change, displaying several Milling 
function soft keys.  Each soft key when selected will have a popup 
menu for further selection to refine the type of milling operation to be 
entered.  For example, the Circle soft key will display choices for the 
type of circle to be milled; a Pocket, Frame, Ring, or a Helix.
Editing or deleting a milling step
To edit a program step, use the ARROW keys to highlight the step to be 
changed and press the USE or ENTER key, 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 making the appropriate changes, press the USE key to accept 
the changes and place the step back into the program. Or press 
CANCEL to discard any changes to the step.
To delete a step, highlight the step to be deleted, then press the 
CLEAR key.
VIEW key
If you need to see the machined part in more or less 
graphic detail, press the VIEW key. This enables you to 
access the viewing soft keys that are available.  See 
View hard key  for a complete description of these 
soft keys.