ACU-RITE MILLPWR User Manual

4 (3)

CONGRATULATIONS!

You have just purchased MILLPWR by ACU-RITE, a versatile and flexible 2-axis Control/

3-axis Readout system that effectively combines powerful features and functionality with ease of use at an affordable price.

MILLPWR satisfies the needs of the milling market where manual and automated operation are both useful and needed. MILLPWR also maximizes your throughput by significantly reducing set-up time, scrap and other non-productive operations thereby increasing your efficiency, productivity and profitability.

MILLPWR is designed and manufactured in the United States at ACU-RITE’s ISO-9001 registered facility. MILLPWR is a complete system that includes ground and hardened ball screws, powerful DC servo motors, a user friendly operator console with a built-in floppy disk drive, a controller cabinet containing an electronics module (which includes a large hard disk drive) and a motor control module. The system is closed-looped with positioning feedback provided by the use of ACU-RITE’s precision glass scales (2µm/.0001” resolution).

MILLPWR utilizes a conversational, menu prompted format that makes it easy for you to learn and quick for you to program. No prior programming experience or training is necessary. All you have to do is simply enter part dimensions directly from the print. MILLPWR automatically calculates the tool path... with immediate part view graphic feedback providing program verification. MILLPWR’s intuitiveness allows you to learn how to operate MILLPWR and begin making parts, and profits, in a matter of hours.

MILLPWR is backed by a comprehensive 1-year warranty, with nationwide support provided by a factory trained and certified distribution network.

Thank you for choosing ACU-RITE. We’re confident you’ll be more than glad you did.

Sincerely,

ACU-RITE INC.

MILLPWR System Setup Access Code

An access code must be entered before the system setup parameters can be set or changed. This prevents inadvertently resetting parameters.

IMPORTANT

The access code is 8891

Refer to section 7, “System Setup.”

IMPORTANT

Supervisors may wish to remove this page from the MILLPWR manual after initially setting up the system parameters. Keep it in a safe place for future use.

387900-970 Edition E

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1. Introduction

 

 

System Overview...........................................................................

 

1-1

Machine Layout ...................................................................

 

1-1

Keypad Layout ....................................................................

 

1-3

Screen Layout ......................................................................

 

1-4

Saving, Backing Up, and Creating Directories

 

For Programs...............................................................

 

1-5

Emergency Table Stop Button ..............................................

 

1-5

Conventions ..................................................................................

 

1-6

Axis Conventions ....................................................................

 

1-6

Absolute/Incremental ...............................................................

 

1-7

Section 2. DRO

 

 

Start-up ........................................................................................

 

2-1

Power Up ............................................................................

 

2-1

Finding Home ......................................................................

 

2-2

DRO Functions .............................................................................

 

2-3

Reset an Axis .......................................................................

 

2-3

Inch-Metric ..........................................................................

 

2-3

Move Table .........................................................................

 

2-3

Establishing a Datum ............................................................

 

2-4

Using a Probe ......................................................................

 

2-5

One Time Milling Functions ..................................................

 

2-6

Section 3. Programming

 

 

Programming Considerations .........................................................

 

3-1

Depth of Cut ........................................................................

 

3-1

Tool Offset ..........................................................................

 

3-1

“From” and “To” Points .......................................................

 

3-2

Datum Selection ...................................................................

 

3-2

Absolute and Incremental Dimensions ...................................

3-2

 

 

 

Operation Manual

i

MILLPWR

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Continuous Milling ................................................................

3-3

Creating a Program .......................................................................

3-4

The View Key .....................................................................

3-6

Running a Program ........................................................................

3-6

Setting the Datum .................................................................

3-6

Testing Your Program ..........................................................

3-7

Pressing the GO Key ...........................................................

3-8

Feed Rate Override .............................................................

3-9

Machining to Zero ................................................................

3-9

Program Functions ......................................................................

3-11

Accessing the Load, Save, Delete, and

 

Backup Options ........................................................

3-11

Saving a Program ...............................................................

3-12

Directories .........................................................................

3-14

Creating a Directory ..................................................

3-14

Selecting a Directory .................................................

3-17

Deleting a Directory ..................................................

3-19

Other Program Functions ...................................................

3-20

Naming a Program ....................................................

3-20

Deleting a Program ....................................................

3-21

Backing Up a Program ..............................................

3-22

Loading a Program ....................................................

3-24

From MILLPWR’s internal hard disk drive ..........

3-24

From a 3 ½” floppy disk .....................................

3-26

From your PC .....................................................

3-27

Section 4. Demonstration

 

A Demonstration Program .............................................................

4-1

Selecting the Datum ..............................................................

4-1

Beginning the Program ..........................................................

4-1

Selecting a Tool ...................................................................

4-2

Milling the Workpiece Contour .............................................

4-3

MILLPWR

ii

Operation Manual

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Programming the Bolt Circle

...............................................

4-13

Programming the Pocket ....................................................

 

4-15

Saving Your Program .........................................................

 

4-17

Testing Your Program ........................................................

 

4-17

Running the Program ..........................................................

 

4-18

Tool Changes .....................................................................

 

4-20

Clearing the Program ..........................................................

 

4-20

Section 5. Program Steps

 

 

Sample Milling and Drilling ............................................................

 

5-1

Set Tool ...............................................................................

 

5-1

Positioning/Drill ....................................................................

 

5-1

Mill Line ..............................................................................

 

5-2

Mill Arc ...............................................................................

 

5-2

Blend ...................................................................................

 

5-3

Rectangular Milling Functions ........................................................

 

5-4

Pocket .................................................................................

 

5-4

Rectangular Frame ...............................................................

 

5-5

Face ....................................................................................

 

5-6

Slot ......................................................................................

 

5-7

Circular Milling Functions ..............................................................

 

5-8

Circular Pocket ....................................................................

 

5-8

Circular Frame .....................................................................

 

5-9

Ring ...................................................................................

 

5-10

Hole Patterns ..............................................................................

 

5-11

Row of Holes .....................................................................

 

5-11

Hole Frame and Hole Array ...............................................

 

5-12

Bolt Circle .........................................................................

 

5-13

More Steps .................................................................................

 

5-14

Repeat ...............................................................................

 

5-14

Rotate ................................................................................

 

5-15

Mirror ................................................................................

 

5-16

 

 

 

Operation Manual

iii

MILLPWR

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Custom Pocket ..................................................................

5-17

Engrave .............................................................................

5-18

Explode .............................................................................

5-20

Section 6. Calculator

 

Four Function Arithmetic ...............................................................

6-1

Trig and Math Functions ................................................................

6-1

Geometry Calculator .....................................................................

6-4

Why We Need a Geometry Calculator .................................

6-4

Working with the Geometry Calculator .................................

6-5

Example Problem ..........................................................................

6-7

Strategy ...............................................................................

6-7

Starting the Program .............................................................

6-7

Entering the Lines .................................................................

6-8

Finding the Arc ..................................................................

6-10

Finding the Points of Tangency ...........................................

6-12

Returning Features ..............................................................

6-13

Section 7. Setup

 

Inch or Metric ......................................................................

7-1

Operator Setup .............................................................................

7-2

Tool Library ..................................................................................

7-2

Scale Factor .................................................................................

7-3

Display Options ............................................................................

7-4

Touch Probe .................................................................................

7-5

Feed Rate Settings ........................................................................

7-5

System Setup ................................................................................

7-6

Protection ............................................................................

7-6

Error Compensation .............................................................

7-7

Encoder Direction ................................................................

7-8

Serial Port ............................................................................

7-9

MILLPWR

iv

Operation Manual

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 8. Remote Storage

 

Equipment .....................................................................................

8-1

Choosing a Serial Cable ................................................................

8-1

Connecting MILLPWR to Your PC ...............................................

8-2

Installing the Remote Storage Program ...........................................

8-3

Operation Manual

v

MILLPWR

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Setting the PC’s COM Port and BAUD Rates ...............................

8-4

Common Error Messages ..............................................................

8-5

Section 9. Troubleshooting Guide

 

Introduction ..................................................................................

9-1

Using the Table .............................................................................

9-1

Table ............................................................................................

9-2

MILLPWR

vi

Operation Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

387900-167 Software Version 1.3 Ed G

Operation Manual

vii

MILLPWR

INTRODUCTION

MILLPWR

INTRODUCTION

System Overview

Machine Layout

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Page 1-1

ACU-RITE MILLPWR User Manual

INTRODUCTION

MILLPWR

Front View of Operator Console

 

INFO

TOOL

RECT

CIRCLE

HOLES

 

 

 

 

 

 

SET

POS

LINE

ARC

BLEND

 

 

 

 

 

 

UP

 

 

 

 

Floppy

 

 

 

 

 

diskette inside

 

INC

 

 

 

 

VIEW

ABS

 

 

CALC

 

 

 

 

 

PGM

7

8

9

/

 

Keypad

 

 

 

 

 

DRO

4

5

6

X

 

CANCEL

1

2

3

-

Emergency

Softkeys

.

0

+/-

+

USE

TABLE STOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEL

 

 

ENTER

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE

FEED

 

 

 

 

STOP

+

 

 

 

 

 

FEED

STOP

 

 

G O

 

 

 

 

-

Rear of Operator Console

Side of Controller Cabinet

 

 

 

Contrast and brightness

knobs --adjust them for best

picture

Main power switch. Use this to turn MILLPWR on and off.

Power Switch for console only (just leave it on)

Page 1-2

Operation Manual

INTRODUCTION

MILLPWR

Keypad Layout

Milling Functions

Main

Function Keys

INFO

These let you set up the MILLPWR, get

information about SET

what you are doing, switch between program (PGM) and

UP

DRO, and “USE” the

VIEW

milling functions as steps in a program.

TOOL

RECT

CIRCLE

HOLES

With these keys, you define

the operations you want

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MILLPWR to perform.

 

 

 

 

These operations end up

POS

LINE

ARC

BLEND

as “steps” in a program, or

 

 

 

 

you can run just one of

them at any time.

Numeric Keypad

and Calculator

ABS

CALC

INC

PGM

7

8

9

/

DRO

 

 

 

4

5

6

X

CANCEL

2

3

-

1

USE

0

+/-

+

.

DEL

ENTER

 

Cursor and Motion Control Keys

Enter all numerical values with these keys. When you’re entering dimensions, you can specify

absolute or incremental.

The handy 4-function calculator can be used at any time. Trig and geometry assistance

is available with a press of the CALC key.

Press GO to run your program, and STOP to stop it. The FEED keys let you adjust the cutting speed on the fly.

FEED

+

FEED

STOP GO

-

Operation Manual

Page 1-3

INTRODUCTION

MILLPWR

The cursor keys help you navigate around the screen while you are using MILLPWR.

Page 1-4

Operation Manual

INTRODUCTION

MILLPWR

2

3

4

Screen Layout

The MILLPWR display screen is divided into four sections.

SERVO OFF FEED

0 100%

TOOL:

SCALE 1.0000

INCH

1

2

3

ZERO X ZERO Y ZERO Z DATUM

MOVE

TABLE 4

Status bar - displays the servo motor status (on/off), feed rate, current tool, scale, and inch/mm display view.

Information screen - displays information for the job being performed.

Used as a readout, the screen will display the current location for each axis.

When programming, a list of milling operations and part view graphics will be displayed.

To calculate data geometrically, lines and arcs can be constructed and displayed.

Message line - operator prompts and messages will appear here.

Softkeys - variable key functions appear here; functions are selected by

pressing

the hard key directly below the softkey message.

 

Operation Manual

Page 1-5

1

INTRODUCTION

MILLPWR

Saving, Backing Up, and Creating Directories for Programs

If you're writing a long program, don't wait until the end to save your work. Frequent saving reduces the risk of losing work due to a power interruption.

When you begin to create programs for your MILLPWR to run, you can save your programs in any of three places—on MILLPWR’s internal hard disk drive, on a 3 ½” floppy disk, or on your PC’s hard disk drive. Saving your work means it will not be lost if the MILLPWR is turned off or if there is a power failure.

Your MILLPWR is also equipped with a backup feature that enables you to make duplicate copies of your saved programs. We recommend backing up your work as an extra precaution against accidental deletions, hard disk drive failures, or other problems that may prevent you from recovering your original files. Backing up your programs takes only a few moments—and will save you valuable time if a problem

does occur.

And as you save and back up your programs, you can neatly organize them in any of the three default directories (“MILLPWR,” “A:,” and “REMTSTOR”) or in personalized directories you create on your own.

For more details about how to save programs, back up files, and create directories, refer to the Programming section.

Note: Before you save or back up programs on your PC’s hard disk drive, refer to the Remote Storage and System Setup sections for setup instructions.

Emergency Table Stop Button

The large red button on the front of the MILLPWR operator console is the emergency TABLE STOP. In the event of a malfunction or programming error, press the emergency TABLE STOP button to disengage the servo motors. Disengaging the servos will cause all table movement to stop.

WARNING

Pressing the emergency TABLE STOP button will NOT stop the rotation of the cutting tool unless your machine has been specifically wired to do so. Therefore, in the event of an emergency, if your machine has not been wired to stop the rotation of the cutting tool, be prepared to raise the quill in addition to pressing the emergency

TABLE STOP button.

Page 1-6

Operation Manual

INTRODUCTION

MILLPWR

Conventions

Axis Conventions

Cartesian Coordinates

When programming a part using MILLPWR, table movement and tool motion are determined by the use of positive or negative numbers. MILLPWR has been factory set with the following positive and negative directions for X, Y, and Z:

X-axis: the table will move to the left, with tool motion to the right, for positive positions.

Y-axis: the table will move toward you while tool motion is away from you for positive positions.

Z-axis: quill movements up (away from the table surface) are for positive positions.

Polar Coordinates

The polar radius (R), is the distance from datum (absolute zero) to a point. The polar angle (A), is formed by the X-axis and the radius, positive counterclockwise. The angle is always measured from the positive X-axis.

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

R=6.4

 

 

 

 

 

A=39°

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Operation Manual

Page 1-7

INTRODUCTION

MILLPWR

Absolute / Incremental

Dimensions you enter from the print can be either absolute or incremental.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Absolute dimensions are measured from the datum which is the workpiece zero.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incremental dimensions are measured from one point to another.

 

 

+Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holes A and B are dimensioned as absolute, but hole C is

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

dimensioned incrementally from A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When entering these dimensions in the MILLPWR, we

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

would say:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A

 

B

C

 

Hole A: X = 2.000 ABS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hole B: X = 4.000 ABS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

+X

Hole C: X = 3.625 INC from hole A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

3.625

 

 

It will often be easier to describe a location in terms of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

incremental dimensions than it would be to calculate the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

absolute coordinates of a point.

Both absolute and incremental dimensions can be used on the same workpiece. For example, Hole C has the dimensions X = 3.625 INC from hole A, Y = 1.5 ABS.

Example: Polar and Incremental

Here is how to enter the angle of a line:

If your drawing provides the angles from one end, you need to use polar and incremental. The end of the line is measured incrementally from the beginning of the line.

6

P 1 (From)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

- 53°

 

 

 

 

5.0

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

P2 (To)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Page 1-8

Operation Manual

INTRODUCTION

MILLPWR

Notice that if you don’t use incremental coordinates, Point 2 will be incorrect because it will be measured from the datum instead of from Point 1.

Operation Manual

Page 1-9

INTRODUCTION

MILLPWR

BLANK PAGE

Page 1-10

Operation Manual

DRO

MILLPWR

DRO FUNCTIONS

Start-Up

Power Up

Make sure the power switch on the back of the Operator’s Console is on.

Turn the on/off switch on the side of the controller cabinet ON.

After the program has loaded, the following screen will appear:

SERVO OFF

FEED 0 100%

TOOL:

 

 

SCALE 1.0000

INCH

 

 

 

X

INC

0.0000

ABS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.0000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Y 0.0000INC

0.0000 ABS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Z

INC

0.0000

ABS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.0000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZERO X

ZERO Y

ZERO Z

 

DATUM

MOVE

 

TABLE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DRO stands for “digital readout”.

This is called the “DRO” screen. It shows you the current tool position. Here you can use several DRO functions to set up your job. In fact, you can use this as a normal DRO when you use your machine manually.

Operation Manual

Page 2-1

DRO

MILLPWR

Finding Home

The ACU-RITE’s ENC150 precision glass scales included with your MILLPWR system are different from standard ENC150 glass scales because they have only one reference mark. The reference mark will be located between five and eight inches from the centerline of your scale. The reference mark will most likely be found in the positive count direction for both the X and Y axes; however, it may be found in the negative count direction depending upon how the scale(s) are mounted.

MILLPWR must find these reference marks after power-up in order to establish the farthest table travel, so you won’t crash the table. You must find home before you can run a program.

Once you are familiar with where the reference marks are, you can use the “MOVE TABLE” function to get close to them before you press "FIND HOME".

To find home, press the DATUM softkey, then the FIND HOME softkey. The table will move, one axis at a time, to find the reference positions.

If the table moves until it hits the hard stops and the servo motor stops, it means the table was already positioned past the home position. Use the handcranks to move the table away from the end and press FIND HOME again. Should the FIND HOME softkey be pressed immediately after home has been found, the table will move to the hard stops and the servo motors will disengage.

After home has been found, the DRO display will change. The absolute display shows the tool position from the most recent datum.

DATUM is a term for “workpiece zero” or “absolute zero”.

Page 2-2

Operation Manual

DRO

MILLPWR

DRO Functions

You can’t change to metric if you have an “inch” program active, and vice versa.

Reset an Axis

Pressing the ZERO X, ZERO Y, or ZERO Z softkey will zero the incremental position of that axis.

Inch - Metric

To change the measurement system between inches and metric units, press the SETUP key to get the INCH and MM softkeys. Select the system you want, and

press USE NEW SETTINGS.

Move Table

This function lets you move the table rapidly using the arrow keys. Pressing the MOVE TABLE softkey will caution you that the arrow keys no longer move around the screen, but will instead move the table.

Note that the arrow keys will move the table!

SERVO ON

FEED

0 100%

TOOL:

SCALE 1.0000

INCH

X 0.000INC

0.0000ABS

Y 0.000INC

0.0000ABS

Z 0.000INC

0.0000 ABS

! CAUTION

 

ARROW KEYS

 

WILL MOVE TABLE

 

PRESS CANCEL WHEN FINISHED MOVING TABLE.

MOVE

TABLE

Operation Manual

Page 2-3

DRO

MILLPWR

The table moves in the direction of the arrows. You can move in both X and Y at the same time.

MOVE TABLE AWAY

FROM YOU

It’s a REALLY good idea to fold in the handcrank handles before moving the table!

MOVE

MOVE

TABLE

TABLE

LEFT

RIGHT

 

MOVE TABLE

 

TOWARDS YOU

While the MOVE TABLE

softkey is pressed, the servo motors are on. Press it again to turn them off.

Establishing a Datum

A datum is a reference point that you establish as the workpiece zero. You need to set a datum for each job. The location on the workpiece that is to be used as the datum will be determined by the way the part is dimensioned on the blueprint. In general, you should select a datum location so that you may enter most dimensions directly, without calculations.

The datum position is not lost at power-down, so you can quit in the middle of a job at night and easily resume it the next morning.

The simplest datum location to set is where you can position the tool exactly at that location in all three axes.

Position the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERVO OFF

FEED

0 100%

TOOL:

 

 

SCALE

1.0000

INCH

 

workpiece so that the

 

 

SET DATUM

 

 

 

X 0.0000INC

 

0.0000

ABS

 

datum point is directly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Y 0.0000INC

 

0.0000

 

 

beneath the tool. This

 

Y:

 

 

 

 

ABS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

point might be a

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Z 0.0000INC

 

0.0000 ABS

 

corner, the center of a

 

Z:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

bolt hole pattern, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press the DATUM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

softkey and the Set

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Datum entry form will

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

appear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press the X=0, Y=0,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENTER THE NEW ABSOLUTE POSITION OF THE TOOL CENTER.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X = 0

 

Y = 0

Z = 0

 

FIND

 

USE

MOVE

 

and/or Z=0 softkey(s)

 

 

 

HOME

 

PROBE

TABLE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to establish workpiece zero.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press USE to lock in the workpiece zero.

Page 2-4

Operation Manual

DRO

MILLPWR

If you can’t position the tool center right at the datum, you’ll need to enter a value for each axis. The value to use is the absolute position of the tool center from the new datum. For one axis at a time, position the tool to a known location, such as the edge of the workpiece. Without moving the tool, enter the desired location of the tool center and press ENTER. Then move to position the next axis. When all are entered, press USE.

The MILLPWR calculator helps a lot here---To set the datum for the X axis, enter:

0.3875/2+.005. Then, since the tool center is left of the datum, change the sign.

DISTANCE TO

ENTER

.005 SHIM

0.3875 TOOL

+

While you are setting the datum, you can use the MOVE TABLE softkey to help you with long moves.

Using A Probe

You may use a touch probe or edge finder to get very accurate edge locations. Make sure the diameter of the probe is correct (it’s found in the SET-UP list). Install the probe and connect it to the back of the Operator Console. Then, for one axis at a time, enter the absolute position of the edge to be touched into the datum form, press the USE PROBE softkey, and move the table slowly until the probe touches the workpiece. When the probe touches, the USE PROBE softkey will release. Press the USE key to set the absolute position of each axis.

TIP:

 

Right after you find

 

home, you

 

can move quickly to

 

your previous datum

 

using the position

POS

function:

GO

Operation Manual

Page 2-5

DRO

MILLPWR

One Time Milling Functions

Any of the milling functions, except BLEND, can be used “one time” without creating a program. Press the desired milling function key, fill in the information, and press

GO.

The information for each function will be remembered for the next time you use it.

Each function is described in the Program Steps section.

For many of the milling functions, such as a pocket, you will need to set the proper tool diameter. You can use the TOOL key as a one-time function to do this.

Page 2-6

Operation Manual

MILLPWR
MILLPWR

PROGRAMMING

MILLPWR

PROGRAMMING

Programming Considerations

Depth of Cut

Since the vertical Z-axis is not controlled by a servo motor, you must make changes to the depth of cut manually.

You don’t have to program the depth, but if you do, MILLPWR will preset the programmed value into the DRO for you. Then, when it’s time, will show you the DRO and ask you to set the depth.

If you are not programming depth, leave it set to 0.

Tool Offset

With MILLPWR, you never have to worry about the actual tool path. Because of MILLPWR ’s tool radius compensation capability, you program only the actual part dimensions. When you program a line, arc, or frame, use the TOOL OFFSET field to tell

which side of the cut you want the tool to be on.

Picture yourself standing behind the tool as it is moving. If the tool is on the left of the workpiece, use “left” offset. If the tool is to the right of the workpiece, use “right” offset.

By using left and right offsets,

you can program the

LEFT OFFSET

RIGHT OFFSET

dimensions of the part as

 

 

found on the blueprint.

 

 

MILLPWR will take care of

 

 

all cutter radius

 

 

compensation. You do not

 

 

have to program the tool

 

 

path.

 

 

If you use “center” offset, the programmed dimensions are for the center of the tool.

For some milling functions, like Frame and Arc, “inside” and “outside” offsets help you visualize where the tool is.

Operation Manual

Page 3-1

PROGRAMMING

MILLPWR

“From” and “To” Points

FROM

T O

MILLPWR lines and arcs are defined by both FROM and TO points. MILLPWR will automatically go to the start point before it asks you to set the depth.

 

FROM

 

 

 

 

X1

ABS

 

Y1

ABS

 

 

 

 

TO

 

 

 

 

X2

ABS

 

Y2

ABS

 

 

 

Datum Selection

The datum is the point where all absolute dimensions are measured from. You must look at the blueprint of the part and decide what to use as a datum. You should pick a point which will let you enter most of the dimensions directly, without calculations. However, any point you select will give the same results.

Absolute and Incremental Dimensions

To help you enter dimensions directly from the blueprint, MILLPWR allows direct entry of both absolute and incremental dimensions. Any dimension measured from the point you select as the datum is called absolute.

A dimension measured from any other point is called incremental. This “other point” is called the incremental reference point.

For the part drawn below, if we put the datum in the center of the hole (point F), all dimensions are absolute.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.123

 

 

Point

 

X

Y

 

D

4.893

3.421

C

 

 

 

 

A

-7.123

ABS

-3.936

ABS

 

 

 

3.603

B

3.421

ABS

-3.936

ABS

E

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C

3.421

ABS

3.603

ABS

D

-4.893

ABS

3.603

ABS

1.011

F

2.96 DIA

THRU HOLE

3.936

E

-7.123

ABS

1.011

ABS

F

0.00

ABS

0.00

ABS

A B

Page 3-2

Operation Manual

PROGRAMMING

MILLPWR

If we use point A as our datum, many of the given dimensions are incremental because they are measured from the incremental reference point F and not from the datum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.123

 

 

Point

 

X

Y

 

D

4.893

3.421

C

 

 

 

 

A

0.00

ABS

0.00

ABS

 

 

 

3.603

B

3.421

INC F

0.00

ABS

E

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.011

 

 

 

C

3.421

INC F

3.603

INC F

 

 

F

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D

-4.893

INC F

3.603

INC F

2.96 DIA

 

 

THRU HOLE

 

 

 

 

 

3.936

E

0.00

ABS

1.011

INC F

F

7.123

ABS

3.936

ABS

A

B

 

Continuous Milling

MILLPWR will display marks to the right of each program step number for continuous contours.

When you program a continuous contour made up of lines and arcs,

MILLPWR

will mill the contour without stopping. MILLPWR will detect a continuous contour

automatically. There are no special keypresses or

different functions to learn.

For lines and arcs to be continuous, they must:

FROM

TO

∙ have the same Z depth,

 

 

 

 

FROM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

be cut with the same tool,

TO

be cut on the same side,

∙ and, of course, they must “touch”--the end of one must be the same as the start of the next.

When you follow one line (or arc) with another, MILLPWR assumes that you want them to be connected. It automatically fills in the FROM point, Z depth, and tool offset. All you have to do is fill in the TO point, and press USE.

You can have different feedrates within a continuous contour by entering the feedrates you want in each step of the contour.

Operation Manual

Page 3-3

PROGRAMMING

MILLPWR

Creating a Program

Press the PGM key, and the following program screen appears.

SERVO OFF

FEED

0 100%

TOOL:

SCALE 1.0000

INCH

CURRENT PROGRAM

END OF 0

PROGRAM

CLEAR

EXPLODE

MORE

 

RUN

FUNCTIONS

PROGRAM

STEPS

 

OPTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You create a program by creating a list of milling steps to be performed. As you add to your list, each step will be drawn immediately on the screen so you can see a picture of your part in progress.

To enter a milling step, press the appropriate milling function key. The function you select will appear in the program listing, and you can enter the information

SERVO

OFF FEED

0

100%

TOOL:

 

 

SCALE

1.0000

INCH

 

CURRENT PROGRAM

 

MILL ARC

002

 

 

 

001

SET TOOL

 

 

FROM

 

 

 

 

 

002

X MILL ARC

 

 

X1

 

ABS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Y1

 

ABS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TO

 

 

 

 

 

Program

 

 

 

X2

 

ABS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Y2

 

ABS

 

 

 

Step

 

 

 

DEPTH

 

 

 

 

 

Listing

 

 

 

Z

 

ABS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RADIUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIRECTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CCW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOOL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.500

DIAMETER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FL END ML

TYPE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CENTER

OFFSET

 

 

 

 

2 OF 2

 

 

FEED

10

IPM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEACH

POLAR

 

MORE

 

 

 

 

 

POSITION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enter information about the arc into this form.

Page 3-4

Operation Manual

PROGRAMMING

MILLPWR

describing the step into the form.

After entering all the data for a step, press the USE key to accept the data. This updates the picture and moves down for the next step.

SERVO OFF

FEED

0 100%

TOOL:

SCALE 1.0000

INCH

CURRENT PROGRAM

001 SET TOOL

002 MILL ARC

END OF 2

PROGRAM

CLEAR

EXPLODE

MORE

 

RUN

FUNCTIONS

PROGRAM

STEPS

 

OPTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To change a step, use the arrow keys to move to the step and press USE or ENTER.

When you have made your changes, press USE to put the changed step back into the program.

To delete a step, move to the step and press the DEL key.

To insert a step, move to where you want the new step to go, and press the new milling function key.

If you decide not to use a milling function that you have selected, press the CANCEL key.

In addition to the milling functions, the MORE STEPS softkey lets you pick from a number of other useful steps, such as REPEAT and ROTATE. All steps are described in the Program Steps section.

Operation Manual

Page 3-5

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