CNC Programming Skills: Program Entry and Editing on Fanuc Machines: Volume 1

This is the revised edition (2023) of the earlier book, published in 2015.

In this edition, the various types of MDI/MOP designs for CNC machines are explained in detail, with figures. This would help in familiarizing with the machine even if the person is not standing in front of the machine. Also discussed is Software Operator’s Panel which has certain MOP-like functions, selectable through “software switches.” An Index at the end of the book is also added in the paperback version, for easy searching of certain key words.

This book is a part of the recently-published book, "Computer-Aided Manufacturing: CNC Lathe, Probing & FMS," by the same author. Therefore, if one already has the CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) book, this book need not be purchased. The CAM book is in form of a handbook for CNC lathe, covering almost everything related to programming (G-code programming as well as macro programming), tooling and operation.

Do you know how to insert a part of a program into another program at the desired location? Background editing?? Using PCMCIA card??? Or, maybe, a simple task such as replacing G02 by G03 in the whole file???? When it comes to manual program entry on the machine, or searching / deleting / editing / copying / moving / inserting an existing program residing in the control memory or the PCMCIA card, most people resort to trial and error method. While they might be able to accomplish what they desire, the right approach would save a lot of their precious time. If this is exactly what you want, this book is for you. The information contained herein is concise, yet complete and exhaustive. The best part is that you can enjoy the convenience of having the wealth of useful information on editing techniques even on your smart phone which is always with you! You would often need to refer to it because it is not possible to memorize all the steps which are many a time too complex and devoid of common logic, so as to make the correct guess. The following excerpt from the book would give an idea of the methodical and step-by-step approach adopted in the book:

Writing a file on the memory card:
The following operation will save program number 1234 in the memory card, with the name TESTPRO:

• Select the EDIT mode on the MOP panel. •Press the PROG key on the MDI panel.
• Press the next menu soft key. •Press the soft key CARD.
• Press the soft key OPRT. •Press the soft key PUNCH.
• Type 1234 and press the soft key O SET.
• Type TESTPROG and press the soft key F NAME.
• Press the soft key EXEC.

While the file is being copied on the memory card, the character string OUTPUT blinks at the lower right corner of the screen. Copying may take several seconds, depending on the size of the file being copied.

If a file with file name TESTPROG already exists in the memory card, it may be overwritten unconditionally or a message confirming the overwriting may be displayed, depending on a parameter setting. In case of such a warning message, press the EXEC soft key to overwrite, and CAN soft key to cancel writing. However, system information such as PMC ladder is always overwritten unconditionally.

The copied file is automatically assigned the highest existing file number plus one.

The comment, if any, with the O-word (i.e., in the first block of the program) will be displayed in the COMMENT column of the card directory.

To write all programs, type -9999 as the program number. In this case, if file name is not specified, all the programs are saved in file name PROGRAM.ALL on the memory card. A file name can have up to 8 characters, and an extension up to 3 characters (XXXXXXXX.XXX).

Repeat the last three steps to copy more files.

Finally, press the CAN soft key, to cancel the copying mode and go back to the previous menu.

Dr. S. K. Sinha is a Mechanical Engineering graduate of Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (India). He obtained Master's degree and Doctorate also from the same institute. Being a CNC enthusiast, he has published a book on basic CNC programming as well as another one on macro programming ("CNC Programming using Fanuc Custom Macro B," published by McGraw-Hill, New York) among several of his publications. Presently, he is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology, Varanasi (India). His latest publications are e-books (Kindle edition) in the series, "CNC Programming Skills." The first book in this series is "CNC Programming Skills: Program Entry and Editing on Fanuc Machines," which gives complete, yet concise and step-by-step information on editing procedures using the MDI panel. It is purposefully in the form of a convenient e-book because one would often need to refer to it as it is difficult to memorize all the editing steps which are many a time too complex and devoid of common logic so as to make the correct guess. One may refer to the book-description section on its product page in Kindle Store for more information. The CNC users can have it on their Kindle or even on their smart phones (with the free Kindle app installed on these) which are always with them. There is no need to have access to thick Fanuc manuals for this purpose. The present book is its print version. The second book in this series is "CNC Programming Skills: Understanding G73 on a Fanuc Lathe." The third book in this series is "CNC Programming Skills: Live Tool Drilling Cycles on a Fanuc Lathe." The fourth book in this series is "CNC Programming Skills: Understanding Offsets on Fanuc Machines." The fifth book is on threading cycles (G32, G34, G76, G92), and the sixth book is on roughing cycles (G71, G72) The method of presentation in these books is such that one would be able to learn the concepts on one's own, without requiring any external help in the form of another book or a trainer. Very little background is assumed. Some more books are planned in this series. The consolidated print version of all the six volumes is also available for purchase.