What Is Parametric Programming?
The best kept secret of CNC!
There are few CNC people that even know what parametric programming is -- and fewer stillthat know how to use it! Given the enhancements that this kind of programming brings, it issurprising that more machine tool builders, control manufacturers, and technical schools don'tsay more about it. In this short discussion, we'll explain what parametric programming is andshow its main applications.
What it is
Parametric programming can be compared to any computer programming language like BASIC,C Language, and PASCAL. However, this programming language resides right in the CNCcontrol and can be accessed at G code level, meaning you can combine manual programmingtechniques with parametric programming techniques. Computer-related features like variables,arithmetic, logic statements, and looping are available. Like computer programming languages, parametric programming comes in several versions. The most popular is Custom Macro B (used by Fanuc and Fanuc-compatible controls). Others include User Task (from Okuma), Q Routine(from Sodick), and Advanced Programming Language [APL] (from G& L)In addition to having many computer-related features, most versions of parametric programminghave extensive CNC-related features. Custom macro, for example, allows the CNC user to accessmany things about the CNC control (tool offsets, axis position, alarms, generate G codes, and program protection) right from within a CNC program. These things are impossible with onlynormal G code programming techniques.
Applications:
Many companies have excellent applications for custom macro and don't even know it. Of course, if you don't even know you have an application for something, it's impossible to evenconsider using it. While these applications are covered in much greater detail during our videocourse andCD- rom course, applications for custom macro fall into five basic categories. Do any
of these sound familiar?Families of partsAlmost all companies have at least some applications for custom macro that fit into thiscategory. Possibly you have prints dimensioned with variables right on the print. The programmer must reference a chart on the drawing to come up with values needed in the program. Or perhaps you consistently find yourself editing one CNC program to makeanother one. If you do, you have a perfect application for custom macro!User-created canned cyclesEven if you don't have a perfect family of parts application for custom macro, surely youhave at least some work pieces that require similar machining operations. Or maybe youfind yourself wishing your CNC control had more (or better) canned cycles. With custommacro, you can develop general purpose routines for operations like thread milling, bolthole patterns, grooving, and pocket milling. In essence, you can develop your owncanned cycles!Complex motionsThere may be times when your CNC control is incapable of easily generating a neededmotion. To perform accurate taper thread milling (taper threads), for example, your control must have the ability to form a spiraling motion in XY while forming a linear motion in Z (helical motion will not suffice in this case). Unfortunately, most CNC
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