ProLIGHT 1000 Control Software

ProLIGHT 1000 Control Software

PLTWComputer Integrated

Manufacturing

Program Interface

•Standard Tool Bar

•Output Tool Bar

•Input Tool Bar

•Operator Panel

• Position Readout

•Machine Information Panel

•Verify Window

•Jog Control Panel

•Program Window

•Status Bar

•Help Functions

•Homing The Mill

•Setting up Tool Libraries

•Editing Functions

Program Interface

Standard Tool Bar

New File

Open File

Save File

Print

Help

Jog Control Toggle

Operator Panel Toggle

Verify Prog.

Run/Pause/Stop

Program.Cut/Copy/Paste

Output Toolbar

Spindle On/Off

Output # 1 On/Off

Output # 2 On/Off

Robot # 1 On/Off

Robot # 2 On/Off

Input Toolbar

Emergency Stop Switch

Safety Shield Indicator

Plus Limit Input Indicator

Robot # 1 Input On/Off

Robot # 2 Input On/Off

Minus Limit Input Indicator

Operator Panel

Optional Stop - Stops when (M01) is reached in the

program

Optional Skip - Skips lines in the program

that have a “/” at the beginning

Run in Single Step Mode

Stops Program

Cycle StartCycle Pause - Immediately

Pauses program

Feed Override - Overrides the

feeds set in the program by a percentage

Spindle Speed Override - Overrides

spindle speed set in program by a percentage

Position Readout

X Axis Position of SpindleY Axis Position

of SpindleZ Axis Position

of Spindle

The position readout is used to determine the current position of the spindle/cutting tool. It can be used like a

digital readout on a manual milling machine.

Position Panel Menu

Right click on the control panel to display the Fly-out Menu

Position Panel MenuChange between Inch and Metric

Units

Set the coordinate

system to Work or one of six part

coordinate systems

Set The Machine Position

Set the current position to

0,0,0Send the Mill To

a specified coordinate

Machine Information Panel

Current Tool Number

Current Feed Rate Set in ProgramThe Number of Passes

Made In The Current Program

Block Sequence number of

block being executed

Elapsed Time of current jobCurrent Spindle speed

set in the program

Current Coordinate

System

Total number of blocks in the program

Diameter of current

cutting tool

Verify Window

The Verify Window is used to test the program code before attempting to cut a part. This option creates a simulation based on the code and the description of the tools in the tool library. (Click on the picture to show view a simulation)

Verify Setup

Select solid or

centerline to represent the tool and

block

Zoom In/Out or

Fit the block in the

window (All)

Selects from three predefined views: Top, Front and Isometric

Slide the bar rotate the

block

Slide the bar to tilt the

block in the window

Verify - Setup Stock

Set the size of the stock in the verify

windowSet the origin of the stock

(0,0,0). Most parts use the

upper left corner

Identifies the initial tool

position. This is only used

for verify and provides a

reference for the verify process

Verify - Setup Options

Automatically refreshes the

verify window when a change

is made that would make

the solid look different

Centerline Options:

Refresh the display when a change is made that

would make the wireframe look different

Shows rapid moves made by the tool

when checked.

Displays the tool when checked

Jog Control PanelThe jog control panel is used to move the table and spindle.

It is operated by the Mouse or Keyboard

Enables Keyboard Control (F4)Identifies

incremental step distances when

jogging the machine Switches from

incremental to continuous movement

Adjusts the jog feed rate: Slow (1in/min), Med.(12in/min) and Fast(50in/min)

Positive Y Axis jog (up arrow)

Positive X Axis jog (right arrow)

Positive Z Axis jog (plus sign)

Negative Z Axis jog (Minus sign)Negative X Axis

jog (Left Arrow) Negative Y Axis

jog (Down Arrow)

Step at .001 inch (A)

Step at .010 inch (B)

Step at .100 inch (C)

Jogging

Click on the image. Notice how the position indicator changes as the machine is jogged

Jog Control Panel

Right clicking on the Jog Control Panel will produce a Fly-out Menu. Here the mill can be homed, sent to a

position, docked, hidden or setup.

Jog Control Panel

Change the Feed rate for slow, medium and fast settings

Set the incremental steps for A, B, and C

Program Window

The program window is were the NC code is entered. The window can be locked to prohibit accidental edits

while jogging the machine using the

keyboard.

Program Window

When the program window is gray the

program is locked. To unlock the Program

select - Edit - Unlock or hit Ctrl-L.

Program Window

Right Click in the program window to produce the fly-out

menu

Standard Cut/Copy/Paste Will Evaluate

selected codeJump to a

specific line number

Automatically renumbers the

programSaves the file in its current

locationRun the program

without prompting

Verify the program without

promptingEstimate how

long the program will take to run

Status Bar

Prompts the user or provides current

informationShows whether current home

position is valid

Show the state of Caps Lock Show the state of

Number Lock Indicates the line number of the edit cursor and the total

number of lines

Shows status of program lock Indicates whether the file has

been modified since the last save Current Time

Homing The Mill

Homing means to move the spindle or cross slide to a fixed known position on the machine. Homing commands perform two functions:

1. To check against a specified coordinate for calibration loss.

2. To provide for quick machine set up when the part location does not vary.

Help Functions

The help function is easy to use and full of information. The four ways to access help are.

•Selecting the help icon in the Standard tool bar•Selecting help from the main menu•Select the Context Help icon in the Standard tool bar

Context Help allows you to pick on an icon or area of the program interface to get help on that item.

•Selecting the Help button in some dialog boxes

This is similar to context help. It only provides help on the

elements of the current dialog box.

Help Functions

These options are available when you select help from

the main menu bar

Help Functions

Covers menus, toolbars, windows and

screen elementsThings that aren't

quite common procedures but still crop up frequently.

Descriptions of concepts and features

not covered elsewhere.

CNC codes and programming, Linear Interpolation, Circular

Interpolation, Canned Cycle, Subprogramming, Polar

Programming, Homing the Machining Center, Using

Cutter Compensation.

About Light Machines Corporation Customer and

Technical Support.

Help FunctionsEnter the text

you are looking for

here

As you type options related

to you text appear here.

The index function allows you to search for help by

entering keywords and then selecting from a list of

related topics

Help Functions

The save settings option prompts you to select which settings you

wish to save

Help FunctionsThe restore setting allows you to

restore settings to a user default or factory defaults

Help FunctionsSelecting Tip Of The Day will

produce a tip on using the WPLM1000 software. By default

the program offers a tip every time the software is booted.

CNC Milling Machine Axis

The Milling machine moves along three Axis - X, Y and Z. When programmed the mill moves to coordinates along the three axis. The origin is the point at which the three axis meet. The graphic shows the orientation of these axis.

Work Envelope

CNC Milling Machine

Machine Zero or Home Position

WorkpiecePart Reference Zero

X

Y

Z

Table

Xp

Yp

Part Reference Zero (PRZ) Position

D= tool diameter

(0,0,0) PRZ Position

Work Piece

Xm

Ym

Machine Axes

Part Axes- y offset = D/2

Top View - x offset = D/2

Cutting Tool

(0,0,0) PRZ Position

Xp

Zp

Note: x offset = y offset = D/2z offset= 0

Part Reference Zero (PRZ) Position

Front View

Work Piece

Checking PRZ

Send the Mill to a point above the x and Y zero to make sure the center of the cutting tool is over the top front corner.

Tool LibrarySetting up the tool library properly is a critical step. Once the tool library is setup, however, it does not need to be changed unless a new tool is loaded into a an existing tool holder. During setup the tool is defined by its geometry, size, number of teeth and relative length (Height Offset).

Tool LibrarySome of the information in the tool library is simply used when verifying programs. For instance, the NC program only directs the center of the tool so the verify program needs to know the diameter of each tool to show how much material is removed. The tool offsets and tool numbers, however, are very important when running programs with multiple tools. Each tool must be defined with a Tool Height Offset.

Tool Setup

The first step in setting up a tool library is to home the machine. The homing process send the mill to a known position along all three axis. The machine can be homed by:

•Selecting Setup in the menu bar and then “Set/Check Home”

•Holding the “Control” key and typing “H”

•Right Clicking on the Jog Control Panel and selecting “Set/Check Home”

Tool Height Offsets

Tool Height offset

Where does the mill spindle go

when it is directed to a height of .5?

When a tool offset is established the

control program calculates its Height

move using the offset

Tool Setup WizardA wizard is available for setting up tools. Select “Tool - Setup Tool Wizard” from the main menu

The first tool established a

reference height

Click Next

Tool Setup Wizard

Put the reference tool in the

spindle click here.

Click on Next

Tool Setup Wizard

After inserting the reference tool use the jog control panel to put the end of the cutting tool on the top of the

block

Offset gage - Works as a continuity check. The

light shine when a complete circuit is

made by touching the tool and table.

Click Next to continue

Tool Setup Wizard

Your Done! Note that the Z coordinate in the Position Panel changes to zero. The current height is now the reference point. All other tools heights will now be compared to it.

Remove the reference tool and then select

next

Tool Setup Wizard

If the tool library has other tools

defined you may now select them to set the tool height

offset

If the tool is not in the library you

will need to set it up first.

Setting Up The Tool Library

Select the tool number. This will be identified

as tool 1 (M06T1)

Type in a tool descriptionEnter the

Diameter


Select the type of Tool

A Bull Mill has a nose radius on its corners - Define the radius here

An End Mill has a flat bottom. A center cutting is recommended

since plunging is often required

A Ball Mill has a constant radius (1/2

Diameter) on its end.


A Standard Drill (118° Point)

Select the type of Tool

Define the taper angle

Define the diameter at its

end point

An engraving tool is a type of tapered cutter


Load the tool in the spindle and set the parameters


Jog the machine so the tool is

touching the top of the reference

point (Tool offset Gage)


Set the tool Height offset by clicking “Current Z”


Note that the position panel shows a z height of zero. The control software has calculated the difference

between the reference tool and tool 1


Tool Height offset

Continue setting up as many tools as necessary in the library. Any time that a tool is removed from the tool holder (not the spindle) the height offset must be

reset. Now lets take a closer look at some more options in the tool library.

Setup Tool LibraryStation locations are used for mills

equipped with automatic tool

changers.

Number of teeth (flutes) in the cutting tool

Identify tool Material (High Speed Steel is a

good general purpose tool)

Always apply any changes before

continuing to the next tool.

Editing ProgramsThe following techniques are helpful when editing programs:

Find - In the Edit Menu, Find can be used to search for specific text. This might be used to find a moves made to negative Z depths.


Replace - In the Edit Menu - Used to find specific text and replace it with a correction. Helpful in changing feed rates that have been placed all throughout the program.


Goto - Found in the Edit menu - Sends the edit cursor to a specified program line. This is helpful when it is necessary to make a change on a line that has been identified by the software as having an error.

Documents

ProLIGHT 1000 Control Software