Import / Export Functions

Im port / Export Functions

Import Functions imports Part Setup, Tool Setup, Program Parameters, Part Program information, and/or NC states from an existing Conversational program or NC State file into the active part program. Tool lists and Tool and Material Database can also be imported or exported from this menu (with the Tool & Material Library option installed).

Select the Import / Export Functions softkey from the Input screen.
Select the appropriate softkey to import from a Conversational file, or to import or export NC state or Tool Library.
Choose the origination or destination file, or select an operation for the Tool Library then select the appropriate file.
Select the Import or Export softkey.
Choose one or more components from the list and select the Begin Operation softkey.

Conversational Components

These are the Conversational components that can be imported from an existing part program into a new part program:

Part Setup—imports the Part Setup from the selected program into the current part program.
Tool Setup—imports tools from the Tool Setup of the selected part program to the current tool setup on the machine. If the Tool & Material Library option is enabled, unique tools are added as Manual and other tools may be matched (see Tool Matching).
Program Parameters—imports the Program Parameters from the selected program into the current part program.
Part Program—imports the part program from the selected program into the current part program.

NC States

NC components are stored in the NC State file on the control. Only one NC State file exists on a control, and it is updated as changes are made to current or new NC programs.

When transferring an NC program from one machine to another the NC State file from the can be imported or exported using the Import (or Export) NC State From (To) File softkey. These are the components that can be imported into an NC file:

Program Parameters—imports the Program Parameters.
Part Setup / Work Offsets—imports the Part Setup and Work Offsets.
1. When the active program is NC, Part Setup and Work Offsets are imported together.
2. When the active program is Conversational, the Part Setup (Work Offset G54) selection will import G54 from the file as the conversational part setup, but will not import any other work offset values. The Work Offsets selection will import the work offset table, but will not replace the conversational part setup with G54. Both may be used at the same time.
Tool Setup—imports tools from the Tool Setup of the selected part program to the current tool setup on the machine. If the Tool & Material Library option is enabled, unique tools are added as Manual and other tools may be matched (see Tool Matching).
Tool Offsets—imports Tool Offsets.
NC Parameters—imports the NC parameters.
NC Variables—imports NC variables.

The imported components will replace the current components from the open program; they are not merged together.

NC States are saved as follows:

Select the Import / Export Functions softkey from the Input screen.
Select the Save NC State To File softkey.
Choose the location to which the file will be saved in the Save State File screen.
Type the name of the file in the FILE NAME field, or use the default, ncstate.ncsx, which appears automatically in this field.

It is recommended to rename the NC States file to match the active part program. When renaming, you must retain the .ncs extension at the end of the file name. For example, Program Name.ncsx.

Select the SAVE F1 softkey to save the NC States file. A message that the file saved successfully will briefly appear on screen.

Importing NC States into Conversational Programs

NC States information that is valid for Conversational programs (the Part Setup, Tool Setup, and Program Parameters) can be imported into a Conversational program.

Make sure the current part program is Conversational.
Select the IMPORT FUNCTIONS softkey from the Input screen.
Select the IMPORT NC STATE FROM FILE softkey.
Choose the NC States file from which components will be imported and select the LOAD F1 softkey. Either file may be used to import any component.
Choose one or more components from the list and select the BEGIN OPERATION softkey.
Select OK to continue the import operation.

Import and Export Tool Library

Import and Export Tool Library functions are available only with the Tool and Material Library option.

The Import / Export Tool Library softkey allows you to move tool information from the WinMax control to other locations and vice versa.

Import / Export Tool Library submenu softkeys are:

Export Auto And Manual Tools—save Auto and Manual tools to a different directory.
Export Manual Tool List—save only the Manual tools to a different directory.
Append Tools to Library— loads tools into the tool library from an external file. Existing tools in the tool library remain unchanged. New tools are assigned the next available tool number. If a tool in the library has an exact match (same tool type and diameter) as a tool in the external file, the tool is not added.
Merge Tools Into Library—loads tools into the tool library from an external file. If a tool in the library has the same tool number as a tool in the external file, the tool in the external file replaces the tool in the library. Replaced tools used in loaded conversational programs are retained in the library as unmatched tools.

Use Merge Tools Into Library only when you want to add all tools in the external file to the library.

Export Tool and Material Database—save tool templates and materials to a different directory.
Append Tool and Material Database—load tool templates and materials into the control from a directory. These are added to the existing database on the control.
Replace Tool and Material Database—load tool templates and materials into the control from a directory. The existing database is replaced.