Starting a New NC Program

To begin NC part programming, press the Input key. Refer to Getting Started with WinMax Mill, Program Manager section, for information about saving, opening, and loading programs.

The NC file extension is set in User Preferences. Refer to Getting Started with WinMax Mill.

These steps help determine the most efficient tool movement and basic program structure to save time during programming:

  1. Determine the tool path on the print and label the points where the path direction changes.

  2. Make a chart showing the coordinates of each point identified in the previous step.

  3. Identify the spindle movements that will be necessary during cutting.

NC Programming Rules

Here are some basic rules to follow when creating NC part programs:

  • The axis letter always precedes the numeric information.

  • In most cases an integer works the same as a decimal or real number. In the following cases an integer is scaled by the appropriate scaling factor to maintain compatibility with existing NC programs:

Feedrate:     F (BNC only)

Rotation:     R (ISNC Only)

Dwell:            P, X (Both BNC and ISNC)

Scaling:       P (ISNC only)

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If an integer is below the acceptable range after scaling, a “Below Minimum Value” error message occurs.

  1. All axis dimensions are considered to be positive unless a minus sign is entered. When describing axis motion, the codes for the program block must contain the following information in order to move properly:

    1. Axis identification (e.g., X, Y, Z).

    2. Direction the axis will move (+ or -).

    3. Distance the axis will move (e.g., 4.0).

    4. Enter the speed preceded by the F address character to program a feedrate in a block.

    5. Include a Z parameter in the NC part program to permit the system to draw the part on the graphics screen. An absolute Z command must occur after a tool change before making another move command.