hnc HNC-18, HNC-19M Operator Manual

CENTURY STAR MILLING CNC SYSTEM

HNC-18/19M OPERATOR’S MANUAL

V2.01

Wuhan Huazhong Numerical Control Co., Ltd.

CONTENT

PRECAUTIONS................................................................................I

1 INTRODUCTION...........................................................................1

OVERALL LAYOUT ............................................................................ 1

MACHINE CONTROL KEYS ................................................................2

ALPHA NUMERIC KEYBOARD............................................................. 8

MENU TREE................................................................................... 10

2 SET UP.......................................................................................17

POWER ON.................................................................................... 18

RESET/ EMERGENCY STOP ............................................................ 19

HOMING (REFERENCE–POINT APPROACH).......................................20

SOFTWARE LIMITS DEFINITION......................................................... 22

TOOL DATA SETTING ....................................................................... 24

ORIGIN OFFSET............................................................................. 27

3 MANUAL OPERATION...............................................................29

JOG FEED.....................................................................................30

INCREMENTAL FEED ....................................................................... 35

MANUAL HANDWHEEL .................................................................... 39

SPINDLE OPERATIONS ................................................................... 42

AUXILIARY OPERATIONS................................................................. 45

4 AUTOMATIC OPERATION ......................................................47

PROGRAM LOADING.......................................................................49

PROGRAM TESTING ....................................................................... 51

RUNNING CONTROL ....................................................................... 53

REAK POINT OPERATION ............................................................... 57

B
MDI

OPERATION ........................................................................... 62

5 PROGRAM OPERATION ...........................................................65

PEN A PROGRAM ......................................................................... 66

O
C

REATE A NEW FILE ....................................................................... 67

ELETE AN EXISTED FILE ................................................................ 69

D
E

DIT A PROGRAM FILE .................................................................... 70

PROGRAM FORMAT ........................................................................ 72

6 DATA EXCHANGE VIA RS232...................................................73

CONFIGURATION............................................................................ 74

SET UP THE RS232 CONNECTION ...................................................76

I

UPLOAD DATA FILE TO NC..............................................................77

DOWNLOAD DATA FILE FROM NC .................................................... 80

7 SETTING AND DISPLAYING .....................................................83

POSITION AND COORDINATES CHOICE............................................. 83

VIEW OPTIONS .............................................................................. 84

8 DIAGNOSIS................................................................................88

ALARM DIAGNOSIS ........................................................................ 89

I/O CHECK....................................................................................90

REGISTERS WATCH........................................................................ 91

9 PARAMETERS...........................................................................93

PARAMETERS BROWSING ............................................................... 95

PARAMETERS OPERATION .............................................................. 96

PARAMETERS DESCRIPTION ............................................................99

II

Precautions

This section enumerates safety precautions for protecting the user
and preventing damage to the machine. Read the contents of this
part thoroughly before attempting to use the machine.

1. The working temperature for the Numerical Control (NC) unit
and its cable cabinet is 0 to 45°C (32°F to 113°F). No freezing is
allowed. The temperature variation should be less than 1.1°C/min
(2°F/min). Humidity should be kept below 90% Relative Humidity,
non-condensing and without frost; 75% Relative Humidity or lower is
more desirable.

2. For storage, the temperature range should be kept within
–20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F) non-condensing and without frost.
All devices should be placed indoors and away from sunshine, dust,
eroding gases and moisture.

3. Impact during transportation or other situations should be less
than 5.9 m/s (0.6 g) for vibrations in the range between 10 to 60 Hz.

4. Correct grounding is critical for the NC unit and other electrical
devices. No grounding or incorrect grounding may injure the
operator or damage components of the NC devices. If the devices
are not correctly grounded, inductive interference from electric
motors and appliances can give errors and unexpected results.

5. Filters are used on cooling fans to prevent dust from entering
into devices. However, after time filters become clogged, preventing
adequate cooling. Clean the filters every three months. In dusty
environments such as wood routers, clean the filters more often.

6. After a long period of non-operation, NC devices should be
cleaned and dried. Also check the wiring and ground connections.
Once power is resumed after non-operation, observe the operation
for several hours to make sure there is no unexpected behavior.

7. Never machine a workpiece without first checking the

I

machine's status. Before using the machine for a production run,
make sure that the machine operates correctly by doing a trial run
including, for example, a single block with a feedrate override or a
machine lock function. Another possibility is to do the trial run
without a tool or workpiece mounted. Failure to confirm the
correct operation with a trial run may result in unexpected motion or
behavior that can damage the workpiece, damage the machine, or
injure the operator.

8. Before operating the machine, thoroughly check the entered
data, including parameters, program and settings. Operating the
machine with incorrectly specified data may also result in
unexpected motion or behavior that can damage the workpiece,
damage the machine, or injure the operator.

9. Ensure that the specified feedrate is appropriate for the
intended operation. The appropriate feedrate varies with the
operation. Generally each machine has a maximum allowable
feedrate found in the machine's operation manual. If a machine is
run at other than the correct feedrate or if the maximum allowable
feedrate is exceeded, unexpected motion or behavior may result that
can damage the workpiece, damage the machine, or injure the
operator.

10. When using the tool compensation function, thoroughly check
the direction and amount of compensation for each tool. Operating
the machine with incorrectly specified data may produce unexpected
motion or behavior that can damage the workpiece, damage the
machine, or injure the operator.

11. Usually, there is no need to change the factory-set
parameters of the NC unit and PMC. However, when there is no
choice other than to change a parameter, be sure you fully
understand the function of the parameter before making any change.
Failure to set a parameter correctly may produce unexpected motion
or behavior that can damage the workpiece, damage the machine,
or injure the operator.

12. Immediately after switching on the power, do not touch any of

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the keys on the Manual Data Input (MDI) panel until the position
display or alarm screen appears on the NC unit. Since some of the
keys on the MDI panel are dedicated to maintenance or other special
operations, pressing any of these keys may prevent the NC unit from
entering its normal state. Starting the machine in the wrong state
may cause unexpected motion or behavior.

13. While the operator’s manual supplied with an NC unit provides
an overall description of the machine’s functions, some functions are
specific for that machine alone and may not be available for another
model. Check the specification of the machine if in doubt as to its
machine-specific functions.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

1 Introduction

Overall layout

The user operates the mill either through the Numerical Control Unit
(NCU) or a Hand Pendant (optional). RS232 allows the user to
exchange data between the NCU and other computers. A PS/2
connector in the Data Exchange Port lets the user plug in a
keyboard.

LCD

Screen

Alpha
numeric
keyboard

Soft keys

-+

Machine
control
keys

Front face of Numerical Control Unit (NCU)

MPG(Manual pulse
generator) unit is a hand
pandent that compose of
an Emergency Stop
button, an axis switch
and a pulse generator. It
can be used for the user
to operate the machine at
a convenient place.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

There are four main areas on the front face of NCU: LCD Screen,
Soft keys, Alpha numeric keyboard and Machine Control keys.
These are shown in detail below.

a) LCD Screen
The LCD screen in the upper right displays the machine’s status, the
tool’s position, the program’s content and other information.

b) Menu keys

Beneath the LCD screen are the “Soft keys” from F1 to F10. They
change their function depending on which menu is being used.

c) Alpha numeric keyboard
On the right side of the LCD screen is the Alphabetic keyboard.
These keys are used for editing a program, as well as changing or
viewing parameters.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

N

Alpha

umerical

keys

Function keys

d) Machine Control keys
At the bottom of the front panel are the Machine Control keys.

These keys operate the machine directly.

e) Other Controls

An emergency stop button is on the front panel to deal with abnormal
situations. Pushing down on the button stops the machine from any
further motion and sets the electronic brakes on the motor axes and
spindle. Pulling upon a stopped button resets the software system
and the machine can operate again under computer or manual
control

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

A green “Cycle Run” button starts the automatic machining process.

A red “Feed Hold” button pauses machining under computer control.

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1 Introduction

Machine Control Keys

a) Mode Selection Switches.

To the right are shown the five
switches that select the operation
mode of the machine. Note that the small LED “activation” light on
the upper left of each key indicates in which mode the machine is
working.

KEY DESCRIPTION

Activation light

Automatic (AUTO) mode key: Pressing this key

switches to Auto mode. In AUTO mode,
workpiece can be machined automatically from a
program.

Single Block (SBL) mode key: Pressing this

key switches to “SBL” mode. In SBL mode, a
program can be run block by block.

Manual (MAN) mode key: Pressing this key

switches to manual operation or “jog” mode. In
manual mode, any axis of the tool can be
manually controlled.

Incremental (INC) mode key: Pressing this key

switches to “INC” operation mode. In INC
mode, the tool can be moved a number of steps
along any axis by either the Axis keys or the hand
wheel (Manual Pulse Generator). The number
of steps depends on which of the multiple-step
keys is selected.

Reference (REF) mode key: Pressing this key

switches to “Reference” mode. In Reference
mode, each motion axis can home exactly on its
reference position.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

b) Multiple Step Keys:

Shown on the right are the four multiple step selection keys used
during incremental operation. Again, the LED light on the key’s
upper-left corner indicates the corresponding multiple selected.
First the INC key is pushed to set the Incremental Mode, then the
desired number of multiple steps is pressed and finally the desired
Axis key is pressed.

The multiple step selection keys are:

KEY DESCRIPTION

Each key push moves that axis one step

Each key push moves that axis 10 steps

Each key push moves that axis 100 steps

Each key push moves that axis 1000 steps

A step is equal to one micrometer (1 μm) for each linear axis (X, Y, Z)

and 0.001 degrees for each rotational axis.

On the same row as the Multiple Step keys, is the Verify key used in
conjunction with the Automatic Mode key. When the Verify key is
activated, a program runs at a higher speed than during normal
machining. The operator can run a program quickly be sure the
program performs the proper function.

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1 Introduction

c) Spindle and Auxiliary Operation keys:

These nine keys usually function in Manual
mode. They control spindle, turret tool
selection, coolant and chuck functions.
These functions are activated only when no
program is running.

Details of the keys are shown below:

Coolant Switch key: This key opens or closes

the coolant flow

Lubrication key: Turn on the lubrication system

with this key.

Tool lock/unlock: After pressing this key, the tool

will be release if it is locked before and will be
locked if it is to be replaced in.

Spindle Clockwise Rotation key: Pressing this

key begins spindle rotation in the clockwise
direction (top of workpiece moves toward operator).

Spindle Stop key: Stop the spindle rotation by

pressing this key.

Spindle Counter-clockwise Rotation key:

Pressing this key begins spindle rotation in the
counter-clockwise direction (top of workpiece
moves away from operator).

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

d) Speed Adjustment keys:

By pressing these keys the spindle speed,
rapid traverse rate and feed rate
(machining speed) can be adjusted. The
first row controls the spindle speed, the
second row controls the rapid traverse
speed and the bottom row controls feed
rate.

These keys work by adjusting the speed relative to a ”base” speed.
Different modes (Automatic, Single Block and Manual) may have
different base speeds. The base speed is set by the G-code
program or the parameter setting.
For each row, pressing the center key sets the speed at 100% of the
base speed; the LED light in the key’s upper-left corner is lit to signify
that the machine is running in base speed. Pressing the minus (-)
key, decreases the base speed by a fixed percent; pressing the plus
(+) key, increases the base speed by a fixed percent. Below is an
example where the speeds are changed by 2%:

KEY DESCRIPTION

Pressing this key decreases the speed 2% for
each press. The current speed or rate is displayed
on the LCD screen.

Once this key is pressed, the override ratio is set
to 100%. The LED light indicates that the current
speed is the base speed.

Pressing this key increases the speed 2% for each
press. The current speed or rate is displayed on
the LCD screen.

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1 Introduction

e) Axis Operation keys:

These five keys select 1) the desired axis and 2) the direction of
motion in various modes. These keys only function in Manual
Mode, INC Mode and Reference Mode. The LED light in the
upper-left corner specifies which axis or direction is selected.

KEY

DESCRIPTION

In INC mode or Manual Mode, the tool moves the X
axis in the positive direction while +X is pressed
and in the negative direction while –X is pressed.
In Reference mode, pressing the +X key homes the
X axis (finds the machine reference on the X axis).

In INC mode or Manual Mode, the tool moves the Y
axis in the positive direction while +Y is pressed
and in the negative direction while –Y is pressed.
In Reference mode, pressing the +Y key homes the
Y axis (finds the machine reference on the Y axis).

In INC mode or Manual Mode, the tool moves the Z
axis in the positive direction while +Z is pressed and
in the negative direction while –Z is pressed. In
Reference mode, pressing the +Z key homes the Z
axis (finds machine reference on the Z axis).

This key speeds up tool motion in Manual mode. It
must be pressed in conjunction with one of the Axis
keys.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

f) Other keys:

The five keys below are other keys that control various machining
functions.

KEY

DESCRIPTION

Servo enable key: Press this key to enable

or disable the servo.

Block Bypass key: Activating this key

bypasses program blocks that start with a “/”

character

Program Stop key: Activating this key

enables the M01 G-code stop function,

stopping the program at a desired block.

Not used.

Machine Lock key: Activating this key

prevents any motion from the spindle, the tool

changer turret or any axis; it is used for system

testing

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1 Introduction

Alpha Numeric Keyboard

The Alpha Numeric keyboard lets the operator input either letters or
numbers for programs, parameters or conversational commands.

KEY

Delete keys

Page change keys

Cursor keys

DESCRIPTION

Backspace key deletes the

character in front of the cursor

Delete key deletes the character

at the cursor
There are two kinds of page change

keys:

PageUp key moves the page one

screen up

PageDown key moves the page

one screen down.

Right key: moves the cursor to

the right, selects a soft key to the right
or selects a column to the right.

Left key: moves the cursor to

the left, selects a soft key to the left or
selects a column to the left.

Down key: moves the cursor

down, selects a soft key on the bottom
or selects a row on the bottom.

Up key: moves the cursor up,

selects a soft key on the top or selects
a row on the top.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Shift Up key

The Shift Up key toggles the status of

double-character keys in the Alpha

Numeric keyboard. The LED light in the

upper-left corner indicates whether the

upper character is selected. When

the LED light is on, the upper character

is selected, otherwise the lower

character will be input. For example,

“X” will be input if is pressed

when LED light of

is off, while

“A” will be input when the LED light is

on.

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1 Introduction

Menu tree

For HNC-18/19 CNC system, there are seven function keys below
the alpha numeric keyboard that bahave as seven different function
keys.

They are:

KEY

DESCRIPTION

PROGRAM submenu key: Press this key to do

operations related with program such as open, edit
or test a part program.

SETTING submenu key: Press this key to

activate setting submenu.

MDI submenu key: Press this key to switch to

MDI (Manual Data Input) submenu.

OFFSET submenu key: Press this key to enter

into OFFSET submenu which enable the operator
to set a tool’s offset data.

DIAGONOSIS submenu key: Activating this key

will present DIAGONOSIS submenus, which can
help user to tell what is the cause of faults

happened.
POSITION submenu key: This key will bring up

the POSITION submenus. Which allow the
operator to choose different axes coordinates type

to monitor.
PARAMETER submenu key: Press this key to

enter into PARMAETER submenu, where the user

can check or modify the system’s parameters.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

There are six soft keys to navigate each of the above key. The
functions of the soft keys change according to which function key is
active.

Each function is corresponding to one submenu. Let’s go through the
seven submenus one by one.

a) PROGRAM SUBMENU

OPEN (F1)

TST (F3)

REW (F4)

BP (F5)

DNC (F6)

EDIT (F2)

NEW (F3)

SAVE (F4)

PRG

TST (F3)

REW (F4)

BP (F5)

ROW (F5)

STOP (F6)

SAVE BP (F1)

LOAD BP (F2)

DNC (F6)

BACK (F6)

The key “PRG” has six submenus.

F1, corresponding to OPEN, picks which program is to be run or
edited. By default or switched from EDIT to OPEN, F3~F6 are
attached with TST, REW, BP and DNC.

TST, stands for PROGRAM TEST, verifies whether the opened
program has correct syntax and tool path.

REW, abreviation of REWIND, restarts a program from the first
block.

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1 Introduction

Y

Y

BP, means breakpoint operation, has three submenus, SAVE
BP(Save the break point information to a file), LOAD BP(Load
the break point information from a file) and BACK(Back to OPEN
function menus).

DNC, enable the NC to receive program from a computer.

F2, corresponding to EDIT, allows the user to do edit operation and
some running process control operation. When EDIT is active,
F3~F6 are used for NEW, SAVE, ROW and STOP(Stop the program
from running)

NEW, creates a new program.

SAVE, saves the current program.

ROW, allows the user to run the program from a specified row
rather than from the first.

STOP, Stop the program from running.

b) SETTING SUBMENU

SET

WCS (F1) G54~G59, RCS(PgUp PgDw)

X RST (F4)

RCS (F2)

RST (F5)

Z RST (F6)

X HPI (F4)

HPI (F3)

HPI (F5)

Z HPI (F6)

The key “SET” has three submenus.

F1, WCS, workpiece coordinate system. Lets the user to set
coordinates system’s origin offset for G54 to G59 and RCS.

F2, RCS, relative coordinate system. This function has two

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

A

submenus: X RST, resets the X position of RCS’s origin. Y RST,
resets the Y position of RCS’s origin. Z RST, resets the Z position of
RCS’s origin.

F3, corresponding to HPI(Home position input), also has three
submenus: X HPI, resets the X position of home point. Y HPI, resets
the Y position of home point. Z HPI, resets the Z position of home
point.

c) MDI SUBMENU

MDI

BAK.BP (F5)

LIGN TOOL (F6)

The key “MDI” has two submenus.

F5, corresponding to BAK BP, lets the tool go back to the break point
after an interactive intervention during automatic machining.

F6, corresponding to ALGN TOOL, allow operator to re-align the
tool’s dimension.

d) OFFSET SUBMENU

LEN Comp (F1)

OFT

DIAComp (F2)

The key “OFT” has two submenus.

F1, corresponding to Len Comp, allows the user to measure and set
the tool’s length compensation value.

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1 Introduction

A

F2, corresponding to DIA Comp, used for the user to input the tool’s
diameter compensation value.

e) DIAGNOSIS SUBMENU

I/O (F1)

REG. (F2)

DGN MSG(F3)

BT(F5)

JOB NOTE (F6)

NEW JOB (F3)

RST JOB (F4)

BACK (F6)

The key “DGN” has five submenus.

F1, corresponding to IO, displays the status of I/O points.

F2, corresponding to REG, presents the value of the system
registers.

F3, corresponding to MSG, lists the contents of alarms.

F5, corresponding to ABT(ABOUT), presents version information of
the software.

F6, corresponding to JOB NOTE, is a statistic function which has
three submenus, NEW JOB, RST JOB and BACK.

NEW JOB, allows the user to set the planned workpieces
number.

RST JOB, lets the user to reset the statistic value.

BACK, back to the previous menu.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

A

f) POSITION SUBMENU

POS

MCS (F1)

WCS (F2)

LL (F3)

TEXT (F4)

GRPH (F5)

GRPH PARM (F6)

The key “POS” has six submenus.

F1, corresponding to MCS, displays machine coordinate system.

F2, corresponding to WCS, displays workpiece coordinates system.

F3, corresponding to ALL, displays overall information of the axes.

F4, corresponding to TEXT, displays the G code of the program.

F5, corresponding to GRPH, displays the graphical figure of the part.

F6, corresponding to GRPH PARM, allows the user to set graphical
figure’s parameters.

g) PARAMETER SUBMENU

BACK PARM (F1)

LOAD PARM (F2)

PAR

DNC PARM (F3)

PASSWORD (F4)

BACK PLC (F5)

LOAD PLC (F6)

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1 Introduction

The key “PAR” has five submenus.

F1, corresponding to BACK PARM, makes a backup parameters.

F2, corresponding to LOAD PARM, loads a saved parameter file.

F3, DNC PARM, used to set the DNC parameters.

F4, PASSWORD, inputs the password to access the parameters.

F5, corresponding to BACK PLC, backs up the PLC program.

F6, corresponding to LOAD PLC, loads a saved PLC program.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

2 Set up

Before machining a part, the operator needs to set up the machine

coordinates, the work piece coordinates, define tools parameters

and other machine preparations.

The general setup procedure includes six steps:

(1) Power On

(2) Reset

(3) Reference home (point approach)

(4) Define software limits

(5) Set tool data

(6) Set workpiece coordinates

The first three steps are always necessary each time the machine is

powered on. Step 4 is necessary only when the machine is set up

for the first time. Step 5 is done for each tool cutter before it is

used to cut the parts. Step 6 is done each time a new program

used.

Let’s go through these steps in detail:

17

Power on

Sequence:

a) Check and make sure the machine is safe to run.

b) Press down the Emergency Stop button on the machine’s
front control panel.

c) Turn on the power supply of the machine (usually located
in back of the machine and/or beneath the control panel).

d) Make sure the fans run normally

e) Make sure the lamps on the MCP have been lighted on.

2 Set up

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Reset/ Emergency Stop

After Power On, reset the control
unit by twisting the Reset Button

Reset
button

on the front face clock-wise,
resetting servo and spindle power
to enable the machine to run.
Pushing the RESET button down
generates an Emergency stop
event and disables the servo and
spindle.

clock-wise

Turn

Feed motion from the axis motors
and the spindle motor will stop immediately when the Emergency
Stop (ES) button is pressed. This button can be used:

 when there is a machine malfunction

 before powering the system on or off

Once the ES button is pressed, the system enters into the “ES
Mode”. In this mode, no operation except reset is allowed. After
curing the cause of the machine malfunction or to enable the
machine after the machine is powered on, the emergency stop
button can be released by the RESET operation (twisting the ES
button clock-wise).

19

2 Set up

Homing (Reference–point Approach)

In homing (sometimes called reference point approach), there is a
reference point for each axis. These reference points are used to set
up the machine’s coordinate system. Homing should always be
performed each time the machine is powered on. By homing each
time the machine is powered on, the axis’ original positions are the
same as the previous time.
Shown below is a diagram of a typical axis homing. The present
location in red is a distance from the Origin. When the axis homes,
the axis motion moves the present location toward the origin until it
touches the Reference Switch (RSW).

Present location

Motion Axis

Reference
Switch (RSW)

Now it is roughly located near the origin. Next, machine control

Origin

moves the tool very slowly until the “home signal” encoder signal is
triggered. This is the exact location of the origin, accurate to the
resolution of the encoder.

Motion Axis

Tool location

20

Origin

Reference
Switch (RSW)

HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

For proper homing, the direction for reference point approach must
first be defined for each axis. This setup is done once only.5).

The button sequence for homing is as follows. First switch the
mode to Home mode by pushing the Home key on the control panel.
Next, press “+X” to home the X axis and last press “+Z” to home the
Z axis.

Switch the mode to home mode by
pressing the home key on the MCP.

Press “+X” to approach reference
point of x axis

Press “+Y” to approach reference
point of y axis

Press “+Z” to approach reference
point of z axis

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2 Set up

Software limits definition

Each axis has a hardware limit and a software limit on each end of
the axis. In the figure below, the hardware switches (shown in
black) are at the extreme left and right of the axis. Software
switches (shown in white) are interior to the hardware switches.
The limits on one end of the axis are the negative limits, those at the
other end are positive limits. By convention, the positive X axis
moves the cutter away from the workpiece in the crossfeed direction
while the positive Z axis moves the cutter away from the workpiece
along the spindle (i.e., turning) axis.
When the axis is commanded to go beyond these limits (overtravel),
first the software switch will be encountered. At this point motion
ceases and no further motion in this direction is permitted.

Tool location

Motion

Hardware Limit (-)

Software
Limit (-)

Software
Limit (+)

Hardware Limit (+)

The tool can be retrieved from a software overtravel by using manual
or incremental commends to move the tool back towards the middle
of the axis.

Software limits are defined for each axis using machine parameters.
With software limits set, the control unit can decelerate and stop the
tool safely before the tool gets to the hardware limit switches.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

If the tool goes beyond the software limit, the hardware limit switch is
encountered. This can occur if the software switches are not set
properly of if the tool is moving too fast to stop when the software
limit is reached.

Hardware Limit (-)

Software
Limit (-)

Tool location

Motion

Software
Limit (+)

Hardware Limit (+)

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2 Set up

Tool data setting

There are three kinds of tool data, length compensation value,
radious compensation value and life expectancy. To access the
tool data, click OFT from the function keys of the alpha numeric
keyboard to get to the Offset Data screen:
Here, the tool data input windows displayed.

Sequence to set tool length compensation value:

a) Press F1 (corresponding to LEN Comp) under OFT function.
b) Move the cursor to the tool’s row with ▲or ▼.
c) Press “Enter” to make the tool’s length editable.
d) Enter the tool’s length compensation value.
e) Press “Enter” again to confirm.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Sequence to set tool diameter compensation:

a) Press F2 (corresponding to DIA Comp) under OFT function.
b) Move the cursor to the tool’s row with ▲or ▼.
c) Press “Enter” to make the tool’s diameter editable.
d) Enter the tool’s diameter compensation value.
e) Press “Enter” again to confirm.

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2 Set up

Sequence to set tool life expectancy:

a) Press ► under OFT function to move the cursor to tool’s life
column.
b) Move the cursor to the tool’s row with ▲or ▼.
c) Press “Enter” to make the tool’s life editable.
d) Enter the tool’s life expectancy value.
e) Press “Enter” again to confirm.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Origin Offset

Usually workpiece coordinates system (WCS) instead machine
coordinates system(MCS) are used to simplify programming. User
can define 6 workpiece coordinates with G54~G59. To use these 6
workpiece coordinates, user need to define the offset of their origin
to machine coordinates’ origin.

Sequence:

a) Press “SET” key to enter into the setting submenu.

b) Press F1, corresponding to WC.S on the LCD screen, gets into

Press this key to SETTING submenu

the coordinates system setting interface.

Press F1 [WCS] to bring out WCS

creen

27

2 Set up

c) Press PgUp or PgDw button on the alpha numerical keyboard to
browse the six WCS offsets (origin position of G54~G59) and RCS
offset.

d) Input the offset value on the command row. For example, if the
offset of G54 is 100 and 100, type in “X100 Z100”

Type in the WCS value
for G54 at this area

e) Press Enter to confirm.
f ) The new origin position of the W.C.S will be displayed on the
screen

The new origin
position take effect.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

3 MANUAL OPERATION

Manual Operation (MAN) uses various input devices to carry out

operations much like those of a manual mill. While the internal
computer is actually controlling the machine tool during these
operations, they are familiar to an operator that has machined parts
on a manual mill.

MAN operations are primarily used for setting up parts. In MAN

mode, the cutter can be moved into position near the workpiece
where sample cuts can be made for setting the workpiece reference.
In addition the cutter can be moved out of the way to get access to
the part for measuring. For an experienced mill operator that has
little or no experience on an NC mill, these operations are a good
place to start. You can understand how familiar operations are
implemented on an NC machine.

The five MAN operations include:

JOG feed: Moving the cutting tool along a motion axis while an

axis button is being pressed.

INCremental feed: Moving the cutting tool a fixed amount along

a motion axis

Manual Handwheel: Move the cutting tool by manually

rotating the handwheel

Spindle operation: Turn spindle rotation clockwise,

counter-clockwise or off.

Auxiliary operation: Change other devices such as chuck,

coolant and turret

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3 MANUAL OPERATION

Jog Feed

JOG feed is used to move the cutting tool along a motion axis. The
motion continues as long as the axis key is pressed. In JOG,
pressing a feed axis with its direction on the machine control panel
continuously moves the tool along the selected axis in the selected
direction.

The feedrate in JOG is a fixed fraction of the rapid traverse rate.
The factory default fraction is one third (1/3): the JOG feedrate is one
third of the rapid traverse speed. However, other fractions for each
axis can be set using the axis parameter (See Chpt. 8, Parameters).
For example, if the rapid traverse feedrate were set at 600 in/min,
the JOG feedrate would be 200 in/min using the factory default
setting.

In addition, the JOG feedrate can be adjusted with the manual feed
"override ratio". Pressing the rapid traverse key and an axis key at
the same time moves the tool at the "rapid traverse feedrate" (also
called the "rapid traverse speed"). This let's you move the cutting
tool quickly during setup or other manual operations. The rapid
traverse speed in MANual mode can also be adjusted by the
override keys.

JOG Feed Functions: Below are details of each of the five

JOG feed functions.

Requirements: The machine is in JOG mode. If not, switch to JOG
mode by pressing on the Machine Control Panel (MCP)

key area on the bottom of the front panel:

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

JOG mode LED indicator light

JOG mode key

After pressing the JOG mode button, the LED indicator light on that
key lights to verify that you are in the JOG mode.

JOG feedrate: Press one of the feed axis keys: +X, -X, +Y, -Y, +Z
or -Z. For moving the cutting tool toward the workpiece use a
minus key (-X, -Y, -Z). For moving the cutting tool away from the
workpiece use a plus key (+X, +Y, +Z). The tool will continue to

move at a fixed rate (the JOG feedrate) along the selected axis so
long as the key is pressed. The tool motion stops when the axis
key is released.

For example, this key moves the X axis

continuously in the plus direction (away
from the workpiece)

This key moves the X axis continuously

in the minus direction (toward the
workpiece)

Adjusting JOG feedrate: The JOG feedrate is adjusted with the

feedrate override keys located in the middle of the Machine Control
Panel (MCP) key area on the bottom of the front panel. Below are

the three override keys that control the JOG feedrate: a minus (-) key
on the left, the 100% key and a plus
(+) key on the right. As in other keys, an LED light in the upper left

31

3 MANUAL OPERATION

corner of the 100% key specifies that the feedrate is set to full value

(i.e., 1/3 the rapid traverse value for factory default).
Note the feedrate icon that tells that the JOG feedrate is being
adjusted:

LED light shows
when feedrate is 100%
of full value

Feedrate icon

Pressing the 100% key sets the JOG feedrate at full value. Pressing
the minus (-) key reduces the feedrate by the factory default amount
of 2% of the 100% JOG feedrate. By pressing the minus (+) key,
the JOG feedrate is increased by the 2% factory default amount.
For example if the JOG feedrate were 200 in/min and you pressed
the plus (+) key, the new feedrate would be 204 in/min.

Decrease the JOG feedrate by 2%.

Set the JOG feedrate to its full value—1/3 of the
axis’s rapid traverse speed.

Increase the JOG feedrate by 2%.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Rapid Traverse feedrate: The icon for the Rapid Traverse key is

The Rapid Traverse feedrate moves the cutting tool at the Rapid

Traverse rate. As explained above (see Adjusting JOG feedrate
above), the Rapid Traverse speed is the maximum feedrate on each

axis that the machine can move. By contrast, the feedrate for JOG
functions is usually set at a small fraction of the Rapid Traverse
speed (factory default set at 1/3).

To move the cutting tool at the Rapid Traverse speed, press the
Rapid Traverse key while simultaneously pressing one of the feed

axis keys: +X, -X, +Y, -Y,+Z, -Z. Like the JOG feedrate, a minus
key (-X, -Y, -Z) moves the cutting tool tow ard the workpiece while a
plus key (+X, +Y, +Z) moves the cutting tool away from the

workpiece. In either case, the motion will be at the Rapid Traverse
speed.

The override keys can be used for Rapid Traverse feedrate in a

similar manner as the JOG feedrate. Pressing the 100% key, sets

the Rapid Traverse speed at its full value. The LED indicator light in
the upper left corner lights to indicate that the speed is at its full
value.

LED light shows
when feedrate is 100%
of full value

Rapid Traverse icon

The Rapid Traverse speed can be used and adjusted in a similar
manner as the JOG feedrate.

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3 MANUAL OPERATION

Adjust Rapid Traverse speed: The rapid jog feedrate can be

adjusted with the rapid traverse feedrate override keys.

Decrease the Rapid Traverse speed by 2%.

Increase the Rapid Traverse speed by 2%.

Set the Rapid Traverse speed to its full value—1/3 of
the axis’s rapid traverse speed.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Incremental Feed

INC feed is used to move an axis a fixed increment of travel.

Pressing a key in incremental or INC mode, moves the cutting tool

one increment in that axis and direction. When in INC mode, the
cutting tool moves at the JOG feedrate (See JOG Feed Functions
above for adjusting the JOG feedrate).

Pressing an axis/direction key on the Machine Control Panel (MPC)
keys moves the tool one "minimum step" along the selected axis in
the selected direction. The minimum step can be magnified by 1,
10, 100, or 1000 times giving a "step length".

The INC feed is useful for adjusting the cutting tool a small fixed
amount from a surface being turned or faced. For example, in
making a sample cut, the cutting tool can be adjusted toward the
workpiece until it just begins to cut. Then using a small (say 5 thou)
incremental -X movement lets the operator clean up surface of the
workpiece by removing 5 thou from the diameter.

Requirements: The machine is in INC mode. If not, switch to INC

mode by pressing the INC mode key in the Machine Control Panel
(MCP) key area on the bottom of the front panel. The icon

for the INC mode is

After pressing the INC mode button, the LED indicator light on that
key lights to verify that you are in the INC mode.

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3 MANUAL OPERATION

INC mode LED indicator light

INC mode key

For each press of the feed axis keys: +X, -X, +Y, -Y , +Z or -Z, the tool

cutter moves a certain distance. To move the cutting tool toward

the workpiece use a minus key (-X, -Y, -Z). For moving the cutting
tool away from the workpiece use a plus key (+X, +Y, +Z).

Step length selection: Step length is the amount of INC
movement that occurs for each press of the feed axis keys: +X, -X,
+Y, -Y , +Z or -Z. To move the cutting tool toward the workpiece use
a minus key (-X,-Y, -Z). For moving the cutting tool away from the
workpiece use a plus key (+X, +Y, +Z).

The "minimum step" is the smallest distance that an axis can move.
It is determined by the machine's encoder. The minimum step is a
certain rotation of the ball screw moving each axis. Depending
on the number of steps on that axes' encoder, the step size is either
in English or metric units. For an English unit encoder, the
minimum step is 50 millionths of an inch (half a tenth of a thou). For
a metric unit encoder, the minimum step is 1 micron (0.001 mm).

The step length is a "magnified" length. The distance moved in a
step length is the minimum step multiplied by the magnifier value.

For example, if the magnifier were set at 1 and you pressed the +X

key twice, the distance moved would be 1 X 2 = 2 minimum steps.
In English units, that's a tenth of a thou, in metric units that's 2
microns. But if the magnifier were set at 100, the distance moved
would be 100 x 2 = 200 minimum steps. In English units, it moves ten
thou (0.012 inch), in metric units it moves 200 microns (0.2 mm).

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

The distance is the number of minimum steps times the magnifier
value.

The four keys below select the step length magnification in the INC

mode. Pressing any key changes the magnification of the
corresponding distance. As before, the LED light associated with
the selection lights up indicating which magnification is chosen.

LED light shows which
magnification is selected

100 X magnification

No magnification; each key press moves one
minimum step.

Each key press moves ten minimum steps.

Each key press moves one hundred minimum
steps.

Each key press moves one thousand minimum
steps.

Incremental feed: Press one of the feed axis keys: +X, -X, +Y, -Y ,
+Z or -Z to move the cutting tool one step in the desired direction.

As in JOG feedrate or Rapid Traverse speed, for moving the cutting

tool toward the workpiece use a minus key (-X, -Y, -Z). For moving
the cutting tool away from the workpiece use a plus key (+X, +Y, +Z).

The tool will move one step for each press of the key. Remember:
each step length consists of the "minimum step" multiplied by the

magnifier (see Step length selection above).

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3 MANUAL OPERATION

For example, this key moves
the X axis one step in the plus

direction (away from the

workpiece)

This key moves the X axis one
step in the minus direction

(toward the workpiece)

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

A

Manual Handwheel

In the handwheel mode, the cutting tool can be moved small
amounts by rotating the handwheel on the handwheel unit. During
part setup with the handwheel, the operator can adjust the cutting
tool from closer to the workpiece than from the front panel. There
are two selection switches on the handwheel unit. One is for axis

selection (X, Y, Z) and the other is for magnification (X1, X10, X100,
X1000).

Handwheel unit

Magnification selection knob

To use the handwheel unit, press the same INC mode key as
for INCremental feed. When the handwheel is enabled, the INC

mode on the front panel is disabled (i.e., the incremental feed
operation is disabled).

xis selection/ OFF knob

Handwheel

Handwheel Feed Functions:

Requirements: The machine is in INC mode. If not, switch to INC
mode by pressing the INC mode key in the Machine Control Panel

(MCP) key area on the bottom of the front panel. The

icon for the INC mode is
After pressing the INC mode button, the LED indicator light on that

key lights to verify that you are in the INC mode.

39

3 MANUAL OPERATION

p

INC mode LED indicator light

INC mode key

Once in INC mode, the handwheel unit is activated by turning the

Axis Selection knob from the OFF position to one of the mill's axes.

Axis selection/ OFF knob: The left knob on the Handwheel unit is

the Axis Selection/ OFF knob. By rotating the knob, you both turn
on the Handwheel unit and also select the axis of handwheel motion.

OFF: The handwheel unit is disabled;
control is through the INC mode on the front

anel.

X: Handwheel movement controls the X

axis.

Y: Handwheel movement controls the Y

axis.

Z: Handwheel movement controls the Z

axis.

Magnification selection knob: The right knob on the Handwheel

unit is the Magnification Selection knob. By rotating the knob, you
select the amount of magnification to the step length for each
increment of handwheel motion. The amount of magnification can
be 1, 10, 100 or 1000.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

X1: No magnification; each click of the

handwheel moves one minimum step.

X10: Each click of the handwheel

moves ten minimum steps.

X100: Each click of the handwheel

moves a hundred minimum steps.

X1000: Each click of the handwheel

moves a thousand minimum steps.

Note:

A minimum step for linear axes is 0.5 tenths (English encoders), one
micron (metric encoders) or 0.001 degrees for rotational axes.

Handwheel rotation: Rotating the handwheel on the handwheel

unit moves the selected axis one step length (minimum step times
magnifier) for each click of the handwheel. Clockwise rotation

moves the selected axis away from the workpiece (positive axis
direction: +X, +Y, +Z). Counter-clockwise rotation moves the
selected axis toward the workpiece (negative axis direction: -X, -Y,

-Z). Always be cautious when moving the handwheel

counter-clockwise because you are moving it toward the cutting
zone.

Clockwise Rotation (CW): Moves the cutting
tool away from the workpiece (i.e., positive axis

direction) on the selected axis.

Counter-clockwise Rotation (CCW): Moves
the cutting tool toward the workpiece (i.e.,

negative axis direction) on the selected axis.

Step length: The motion is one step length

(minimum step times the magnifier) per click of the
handwheel.

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3 MANUAL OPERATION

Spindle Operations

The middle keys of the Manual Control Panel (MCP) area of the front
panel manually operate the spindle and other common auxiliary
devices.

Spindle Control Keys

The spindle is the most important of these keys since no cutting
takes place unless the spindle is rotating. For most mills, the
spindle can be manually operated when the mill is not machining.
However, some mill manufacturers do not allow manual operation of
the spindle except in JOG mode.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Spindle keys:

Requirements: The machine is in JOG mode. If not, switch to JOG

mode by pressing the INC mode key in the Machine Control Panel
(MCP) key area on the bottom of the front panel. The icon for the

JOG mode is .

JOG mode LED indicator light

JOG mode key

After pressing the JOG mode button, the LED indicator light on that
key lights to verify that you are in the JOG mode. Make sure there

is no potential danger from the spindle turning before you run the
spindle manually.

Spindle Operation: The four keys shown below control the spindle

operation. The lower left key starts spindle rotation in the clockwise

(CW) direction, the middle key stops the spindle manually and the
right key starts spindle rotation in the counter-clockwise (CCW)

direction. The upper spindle key turns on the spindle only for as
long as it is pressed.

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3 MANUAL OPERATION

RUN SPINDLE CW: Rotate the spindle in clockwise

direction. The LED is lit if the spindle is running.

STOP SPINDLE: Stop the spindle manually.

RUN SPINDLE CCW: Rotate the spindle in

counter-clockwise direction. The LED is lit if the spindle
is running.

Note:

If the spindle is turning one way and you want to change the rotation

direction to the other way, you must first stop it and then press the

desired rotation direction.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Auxiliary Operations

The middle keys of the Manual Control Panel (MCP) area of the front
panel manually operate the auxiliary devices: Coolant, Lubrication,
Turret and Chuck functions.

Auxiliary Function keys

Auxiliary keys:

Requirements: The machine must be in JOG mode. If not, switch
to JOG mode by pressing on the JOG key in the Machine Control

Panel (MCP) key area on the bottom of the front panel.

The icon on the JOG key is:

JOG mode LED indicator light

JOG mode key

After pressing the JOG mode button, the LED indicator light on that
key lights to verify that you are in the JOG mode.

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3 MANUAL OPERATION

Auxiliary Operation: The five keys shown below control auxiliary

operation. The upper left key turns coolant flow on while the other

two upper keys rotate the tool changer clockwise (CW) and
counter-clockwise (CCW). The bottom two keys control the chuck:

the right key clamps the chuck and the left key selects the chuck.

Coolant key

LUB key

Tool key

COOLANT ON/OFF: Press this key to start

coolant flow. Coolant flow is ON if the LED light is
lit and OFF if the LED light is off.

LUBRICATION ON: Turn on the lubrication

system.

TOOL LOCK/UNLOCK: Provided the tool is

exchangeable, once this key is pressed, the
tool will be release if it is locked before and will
be locked if it is to be replaced in.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

4 AUTOMATIC OPERATION

Automatic (AUTO) operation is used to machine parts under

program control. In an NC machine tool, most production

machining is done as an AUTO operation. In Automatic mode, you

can execute part programs fully automatically. If you are a manual

mill operator, it is the AUTO operations that will be most unfamiliar to

you.

AUTO operation requires a program to execute. Several sample

programs are already included in the controller's memory. If you

are a beginner, execute one of the sample programs in AUTO mode.

If you are an advanced NC operator, execute a program that you
have written yourself.

Softkeys:

keys whose function changes depending on the key’s description on
the LCD screen. The physical keys are located just below the LCD
screen. Each softkey function shown on the LCD screen is
actuated by pushing the corresponding physical key just below:

Programming functions require “softkeys”. These are

Softkey description on LCD screen

Physical keys

Corresponding physical key

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

After pressing the physical key, the softkey descriptions will change
to bring in functions only available when the physical key is pressed.

Requirements:

1. The mill has already been homed. That is, the “Reference Point
Approach” procedure has been completed.

2. The part program has already been stored in the mill's memory

3. You have verified or entered tool data (offset and compensation
values), zero offsets and other necessary data.

4. Machine lock is off.

5. Machine is in AUTO mode. If not, switch to AUTO mode by

pressing on the Machine Control Panel (MCP) key area

AUTO mode LED indicator light

AUTO mode key

Automatic operation includes five parts:

Program Loading: putting the program into the lathe’s

memory computer

Program Verifying: finding errors in a new program
Running Control: running part of the program to debug it
Single block running: running one block of the program

at a time; a block is one or more operations that fits on one
line of the program

Manual Data Input (MDI): operating the lathe by typing

blocks into the lathe’s computer by hand

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Program Loading

A program file must be “loaded” into the mill’s memory before it can
be “executed” (i.e., cut a part or do some other operation
automatically). The program file itself is a series of program lines
called blocks that direct the mill through a series of various
operations automatically. The programmer who writes the program
file sets these operations.

Only one program at a time can be “loaded” for execution by the mill.
Usually many programs that have been written are stored in the mill’s
computer. “Loading” is the process of picking one of these
programs to be executed.

Sequence: The following steps are used to load a program for

execution.

1) From the physical keys located below the Alpha numerical

keyboard, press the PRG.

This Key directs to PROG function

There six soft keys for PROG function. They are displayed on the
LCD screen once “PRG” is pressed.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

2) Now press the F1 physical key, which correspond to OPEN
softkey.

F1 OPEN softkey

3) On pressing the OPEN softkey, the LCD screen shows a file

directory: a list of program files like the ones below. The left
column shows the name of the program file, the middle column
shows the size of the file and the rightmost file shows the last date
the file was changed. Note that program files always start with
the letter “O”. The example below has 2 program files, each 1K
long (one kilobyte).

4) Use the up-down keys

to select one of the
program files from the program file directory. Each press of the
down key moves the blue selected line to the next file down in
the file listing.

5) Last, press the Enter key in lower right corner of the keyboard

area to load the selected program to memory.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Program Testing

A program which has just been created or changed should be tested
or tested before it is actually used to cut parts. Program verifying
can find errors in the program without actually running the machine
and possibly damaging the mill or the workpiece.

Sequence:

1) Load the program to the mill’s memory as shown above.

2) To verify, you must be in either AUTO mode

or SBL

mode (Single Block mode).

3) Press the F5 key corresponding to TST (ProgramTest) in
the Program Functions submenus.

F5 PRogram Test softkey

4) Press the Cycle Run button on the Machine Control
Panel (MCP) keys area to start the VERIFY process.

5) As the program is tested, the lines of the program are
displayed. The line being tested is highlighted in yellow.
As testing progresses, the yellow line moves line-by-line
from the top to the bottom of the program. The LCD
screen will display an error message if an error is found.
Otherwise the cursor (yellow highlighted line) will return to
the start of the program.

51

4 AUTOMATIC OPERATION

Note that there is no motion of the cutter or any other action that

takes place. The TEST process is a simulation of the motion or

action that would take place.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Running Control

Once tested successfully, the program can be confirmed by

executing automatically with AUTO mode or by stepping
through each block of the program in the SBL mode (Single Block

mode) . This confirmation is important on new or recently
modified programs to be sure the cutting tool does not run into
fixtures and that the feeds and speeds are properly set. Most

operators will step through the program in Single Block (SBL)
mode before trying it in AUTO mode.

The program running process – either testing or executing -- can be
paused, canceled or run from the start again. You can also run the
program from a specific location in the program other than from its
start to more easily confirm the program a section at a time.

There are four softkey functions for running process control.
REW(Rewind) and BP(Break point operation) are visible when
OPEN is pressed. ROW(Run from speicfied row) and STOP are
visible when EDIT is pressed.

These are the four softkey
functions for running
process control

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4 AUTOMATIC OPERATION

Beside these four softkey functions, there are two hard key functions
to control the running process. Totally there are eight different
operations to control the running process:

Cycle Run: cycles through the program
Feed Hold: stopping the motion of the program with a softkey

press
Restart: begin the program operation again after a pause
Pick Start Block: begin the program at other than its first line
Save Break Point: shut down the machine and save the

restart point

Load Break Point: load the restart point after machine

shutdown

Break Point recover: restart after machine shutdown
Align Tool: change tools and realign the new cutter at the

same location

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Cycle Run: This function begins program execution.

Requirements:

1) The program has been successfully tested.

2) The machine is in Single Block (SBL) mode or

Automatic (AUTO) mode.

Sequence:

1) Press the green Cycle Run button and the

program will be executed.

2) If the machine is in AUTO mode, the machine will keep
running until it is finished or until the FEEDHOLD
softkey is pressed to cancel the AUTO mode.

3) If the machine is in SBL mode, the machine stops after

each block of the program is executed. Press

Feedhold:

Requirements:

1) The program has been successfully tested.

2) The machine is in Single Block (SBL) mode or

Automatic (AUTO) mode.

Sequence:

1) During execution, pressing the red

Cycle Run again and the next block in the

program will be executed.

Feedhold button pauses the
program. Pressing the Cycle
Run button recovers the running process again.
These two – Cycle Run and Feedhold -- work

together to stop and restart the program being
executed.

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4 AUTOMATIC OPERATION

2) After the Feedhold button is pressed, you can stop all

action by pressing the Emergency Stop button. If

you just want to exit the program, cancel it with the

PAUSE operation below.

Restart: If the program has been canceled, it can be restarted

from the program beginning by pressing the REW(REWind) softkey.

Sequence:

1) Press F4, corresponding REWind, under PRG
function.

Press REW softkey to restart a program

2) Now press the Cycle Run button on the Manual

Control Panel (MCP) and the program will be
executed from the beginning.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

p

Break point operation

For complex or large parts, more than one day may be required to
finish machining. You may need to power off the machine before
it’s done. In this case, the mill’s memory should store the current
block location and recover from this location to continue machining
later. Break point functions do this.

B.P. SAVE: The first of the three break point functions is saving

the break point when you stop the mill.

Sequence:

1) Press Feedhold button to pause the machine.

2) Press the F5 [BP] softkey to bring out the break

operation functions keys.

Press BP to enter into break

oint operation submenu

The softkeys will changed to these:

3) Press F1[SAVE BP] to save the breakpoint to a file.
The system will give a default name for the
breakpoint information file. But the user can name
the file as he would.

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4 AUTOMATIC OPERATION

User can rename the
breakpoint information file
here

4) Here we adopt the default name “OTEST1” perhaps

naming the part number being machined

5)

Press Enter to confirm the operation. The mill will
store the current status information to the typed file.

B.P. LOAD: If you haven’t turned the mill power off after the B.P.

SAVE, you can restore the breakpoint directly with B.P. LOAD. For
example, if you just leave for a lunch break, you can do a B.P. SAVE

before you leave and then resume again quickly when you return.

However, If machine has been powered off after a B.P. SAVE

operation, you must recover the break point: first the mill must be
homed (i.e., perform the “Reference Point Approach” procedure)
after turning the power back on. Since the workpiece will still be in
the chuck, you should be careful on which axis you home first (X, Z
and perhaps C) to avoid a collision between the cutting tool and the
workpiece.

Requirements:

1) The break point program has been loaded into
memory.

Sequence:

2) Press the F6 B.P. LOAD softkey to load the break

point file.

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Break point file

HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Date last saved

Size in Kilobytes

B.P. LOAD softkey

3) After pressing the B.P. LOAD softkey, a table of

break point files is displayed. The first column is the
name of the file, the second is the size of the file in
Kilobytes and the last column is the date on which
the break point file was last saved.

4) Use the up/down keys to select the
desired break point file.

5) Press Enter to confirm your selection

6) If there were absolutely no changes since the B.P.

SAVE operation, press Cycle Run button to continue

the machining process. Otherwise switch to the

MDI mode to recover the breakpoint

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4 AUTOMATIC OPERATION

B.P. Recovery: If there have been ANY manual operations of

the mill or if the mill power has been turned off, you must move the
tool back to where it was before the break point in order to run the
machine again using the break point file.

Sequence:

1) Move the cutting tool near its position at the break
point, making sure there won’t be a collision during
this operation.

2) Switch to the MDI mode by press MDI function key

below the alpha numerical keyboard.

3) Press the F5, corresponding “BAK BP”(BACK TO

Switch to MDI by pressing this key

B.P.) softkey

Press F5[BAK. BP] softkey to

move back to break point

4) Press PRG in order to exit the MDI mode and go into

PROG mode

5) Now press the Cycle Run button on the Manual

Control Panel (MCP). The mill will go automatically to
the break point position when it was saved before
powering off

6) After the machine has stopped at
the saved break point, press the

Cycle Run button to continue

machining from the saved break
point.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

ALIGN TOOL: Another use of break points is when the cutter

gets dull and the mill must be stopped to change cutters. To install

a new cutter you first stop the mill and B.P. SAVE before you

remove the old cutter. However , when you put the new cutter
back into the toolholder, the tool must be realigned so the new cutter
is in the same position as the old one.

Sequence:

1) Move the new tool near the position of the break point,
making sure the cutter could not collide with the
workpiece or fixturing during this operation.

2) Switch to the MDI mode by press MDI function key below

the alpha numerical keyboard.

Switch to MDI by pressing this key

3) Press F6, corresponding to ALIGN TOOL submenu and

press Cycle Run button on the Manual Control Panel

(MCP). the mill will align the tool automatically and update
the tool data.

4) Press the Cycle Run button on the Manual Control Panel

(MCP). the mill will align the tool automatically and update
the tool data.

5) Press PRG in order to exit the MDI mode and go into

PROG mode.

After the machine has finished the tool alignment operation, press

the Cycle Run button to continue machining from the break point.

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4 AUTOMATIC OPERATION

MDI Operation

The Manual Data Input (MDI) mode is used to set mill data values

and operations without using a program. G-codes, M-codes and
T-codes can all be entered manually through the keyboard. The

MDI mode is useful not only for break point recovery as was done
above

Sequence:

1) From main function keys, press MDI and the mill will
enter MDI.

MDI Function key

2) The MDI screen show the previously executed
G-codes which set the functioning of the mill. Also
shown are values of different parameters such as
feedrate, spindle speed and axis position.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

3) Input one or several commands representing one
block of data on the MDI RUN command input line.
In this example, the manually input G-code
commands will set the mill for linear interpolation
(G01), set the X position from zero to 100 (X100),
and set the feedrate from 500 to 1000 (F1000).
Note that only one block of commands can be
executed for each cycle run.

MDI RUN command

Input line

4) Press Enter to confirm the commands.

5) Press Cycle Run button to execute the commands.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

5 PROGRAM OPERATION

Operator can create new Program and modify existed programs
stored in CF. On how to write a new program, please refer to the
PROGRAM MANUAL.

Besides program file operations such as create, delete and rename
a file, editing and testing functions are also grouped as program
functions under PRG function.

PRG, PROGRAM FUNCTION KEY

From function keys, press PRG, the program file management
submenus are displayed.

Functions:

F1[OPEN]: open a program file existed in CF.
F2[EDIT]: Edit the current program file.
F3[TST]: Test a program before it actually make the cut.
F4[REW]: REWind a program to its start line.
F5[BP]: Breakpoint operation.
F6[DNC]: Direct Numerical Control, run the program
receiving from a computer.

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5 PROGRAM OPERATION

Open a program

Before machining a part, or editing an existed part program, you
need to load the program to the memory. This operation is realized
by OPEN.

Sequence:

1) From PRG’s submenu menu, press F1, which is
corresponding to OPEN in the submenu.

Press OPEN to browse the program
files stored in CF

And the program files browsing dialog is displayed as
following:

2) Use to select an existed file at the source

directory.
Press “Enter” to open the file. The contents of the program
will be listed on the screen.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Create a new file

Usually, the user need to machine a new part. This request the user
to write the part program and type the code to the program memory.
And the program is different from the existed ones, so the user need
to create a new program file to store the new part program.

Sequence:

1) From the PRG submenus, press F2, corresponding to
EDIT, to enable the “NEW” submenu

Press EDIT to bring out he
NEW function

2) Then Press F3, corresponding to NEW, to create a new
program file.

3) Give the new file’s name and type it in.

4) Confirm the name by “Enter” and edit the new file.

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5 PROGRAM OPERATION

6) Once finished editing, just Press F4 and Enter to
save it.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Delete an existed file

Some time it is necessary to delete some useless files on
the CF to save some disk space for new program file. In this
case, the operator need to delete an existed file from the
program list.

Sequence:

1) From the PRG submenus, press F1, corresponding to
OPEN, to browse the program file list:

Press OPEN to browse the file list

And all the program files on the CF or the memory will be
displayed on the screen.

2) Use or to select the file you want to delete.

3) Press “Del” key on the alpha numerical keyboard or a
PS/2 keyboard connected with the NCU. The file will be
deleted.

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5 PROGRAM OPERATION

Edit a program file

This part describes how to edit a program in the CNC. Program edit

operation involves editing, deleting, finding and replacing characters

in a program file.

User can either edit an existed program file or create a new one and

then edit it.

Character Input

The basic EDIT operation is to input the character to the memory

through keyboard. For HNC-18/19’s operators, the alpha numerical

keyboard at the front face of the NCU is usually used to input

characters.

There are 45 keys on the alpha numerical keyboards. Except the

letters and numbers, there are 12 keys used for locating the edit

position, delete and content browsing operation.

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These keys are:

HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Name

Delete

BS

Page Up

Page Down

Left

Right

UP

Down

Key Explanation

Delete a char that behind the cursor,
while the cursor holding still and the other
chars which behind it left move a char
position;

Delete a char that before the cursor, while
the cursor and the other chars which
behind it left move a char position;

Roll the program upward, while the cursor
holding still.

Roll the program downward, while the
cursor holding still.

Left-move the cursor on the screen;

Right-move the cursor on the screen;

Up-move the cursor on the screen;

Down-move the cursor on the screen;

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5 PROGRAM OPERATION

Program format

A program must have its start symbol and end symbol.

The start symbol should be “%” or “O”. Following by a program

number.

The end symbol should be M02 or M30.

Characters after “;” or between “(” and “)” are interpreted as

comments. All the comments are printed in green color.

Letters and symbols are printed in white color and numbers are in

yellow.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

6 DATA EXCHANGE VIA RS232

For simple program, user can edit it with the alpha numerical
keyboard on the NCU’s front face. For complex program that may
generated from CAM software, RS232 is usually used to upload the
program to HNC-18/19 from a desktop computer. Besides part
program file, PLC program, parameter data and configuration data
file are also uploaded to HNC-18/19 via RS232 cable.
The steps to upload a file from a desktop computer to HNC-18/19
are as following:

1 Configuration
2 Set up the RS232 connection
3 Upload data file to the HNC-18/19
4 Download data file from the HNC-18/19

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6 DATA EXCHANGE VIA RS232

r

Configuration

The baudrate and port number must be same between the computer
and the NC system to ensure the communication between a
computer and the NC system.
The sequence to check and set the parameters for RS232 at the NC
system is as following:

1 Enter into SETTING submenu

Press PAR to ente

into PARAMETER

submenu

2 Press F3[DNC PARM] to get into the configuration

interface

74

Type in

number

HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

port

here

Type in
baudrate
value here

3 Type in the port number and baudrate as the above

figure illustrated. And confirm by “ENTER”.

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6 DATA EXCHANGE VIA RS232

Set up the RS232 connection

To set up the RS232 connection at the NC system’s end, you need to
get into the “PROGRAM” submenu.

Here, Press F3, which is corresponding to DNC” to let the NC

Press F6 [DNC]

system be waiting for a connection message from the computer. The
following figure is the waiting interface.

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Upload data file to NC

With RS232, the user can upload data file such as G code program
file, PLC program or parameter file from the computer to the NC
system. Here is an example on how to upload a G code file to the NC
system from a desktop computer.

1 Let the NC system be waiting for RS232 connection as

illustrated above.

2 At the end of the desktop computer, run the HCNC COM

SOFT (WINDNC.EXE) program provided by Wuhan

Huazhong Numerical Control Ltd.

3 Configure the RS232 to let its baudrate and port number

same as the NC system. Click the button, a
parameter dialog will pop up.

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6 DATA EXCHANGE VIA RS232

4 Click the button, an “OPEN FILE” dialog will pop

up.

5 Select the G code file you want to send and double click it.

The file will be uploaded to the NC system.

At the NC system’s end, the interface would looks like

this:

78

turn gray.

The file’s

name

displayed

here

HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

While at the computer’s end, the “SEND button would

This button
turns gray

Data bytes been sent out

6 Once the uploading process is finished. Words at the NC

system would tell you how many bytes have been
received and how many files have been accepted. And it
turns ready for next connection. If there no more file to
upload, just press F3 to exit as it prompts.

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6 DATA EXCHANGE VIA RS232

Download data file from NC

When more than one machine tools of the same model are to
equipped with the same kind of controller, it would be convenient to
do configuration and calibration only on one machine, and clone the
parameters to others. In this case, the user needs to down load
parameters from the NC to a computer and the upload the files to
other controllers. Here are the steps on how to download a
parameters file from the NC to the computer. And the uploading
parameters file to NC is identical with the operations for G code
program file.

1 Prepare the NC to let it be ready for connection.
2 Click “Download PARA” button

Click

download

PARA

button here

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

r

3 In the pooped up directory dialog, choose the directory

where the parameters are to be downloaded in.

4 Double click the selected directory, the transferring

process will begin. At the end of NC, the interface will
looks like this:

The parameter

file’s numbe

downloaded

This number is
data bytes sent
out

being

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6 DATA EXCHANGE VIA RS232

5 When the downloading process is finished, the interface

at the NC will be ready for next connection.
And at the computer’s side, it will prompts that the
receiving process has been finished and the file size will
be printed out.

Here
prompts that
receiving is
completed

This
number
says how
many data
bytes
received

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

7 SETTING AND DISPLAYING

Machine tool’s status is changing dynamically during operation, user
can select the certain information to focus or choose his favorite
visualization style. There are four kinds of information can be
displayed to show the machining progress: graphical figure,
numerical figure, overall positions and G code. Different positions or
value such as command position, actual feedback position, distance
to go, track error and compensation value are available for choosing.
Also, the tool’s position can be expressed in either workpiece
coordinates system(W.C.S), machine coordinates system(M.C.S) or
relative coordinates system(R.C.S).

Position and Coordinates Choice

From the seven function keys below the alpha numerical keyboard,
select “POS” .

Press POS to enter into
POSITION submenu

.

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7 SETTING AND DISPLAYING

View Options

Four kinds of information contents are available for choosing to be
displayed in the center of LCD screen. They are graphical figure,
numerical figure, overall positions and G code. Press F9 to switch
among these four options.

The default view is numerical figure.

Default
option is to
display the
position in
large sized
numerical
letters

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HNC-18/19T Operator’s Manual

Overall positions figure:

Press F3[All] to have an
overall displaying of the X
and Z positions

There are four types of positions displayed in the overall option:

¾ MCS: position in machine coordinates
¾ WCS: Tool’s position in workpiece coordinates
¾ RCS: Tool’s position in relative coordinates
¾ Left to go: Left distance to go of the current block

Sometime it is helpful to know which block is going on during testing
or machining. In this case, the user can switch the displaying type to
G code option.

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7 SETTING AND DISPLAYING

Press F4[TEXT] to display G
code on the screen

When the G code is selected to be displayed, other useful
information are also displayed:

¾ WCS: Tool’s position in workpiece coordinates
¾ Left to go: Left distance to go of the current block
¾ M/S/T/F: The M code/S code/T code and the current

feedrate.Graphic figure, presents a the toolpath in 2D
graphic realtime.

Press F5[GRAPH] to display
toolpath in realtime

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