Premature change of generator settings

In die sinking, the machining time can be determined by the process using specific erosion parameters. In this case, the NC program may not contain the required geometry before machining. It is therefore possible to abort an ongoing machining operation prematurely and start the next machining operation with new parameters.

If the point of the parameter change is in the geometry of the ‘’Erosion on the path‘’ phase, an M01 can be programmed at this point. This allows the command to be specified for a flushing motion of sufficient length. If the optional stop in the escape channel is activated by the relevant control unit, the system stops at this point.

A second option is to move to a selected generator change point by commanding a flushing motion where the required distance and floating distance are identical. A flushing motion can then be commanded to end immediately when the selected distance is reached.

As soon as the change point is reached via the escape channel, the remaining geometry can be deleted using the Delete distance to go control unit. The escape channel can then be initialised with the new generator parameters and machining can be continued in the down channel.

Programming Example

Changing the generator settings

An example of how to change generator settings is shown below. During the first geometry after N0100, the PLC commands a ‘Delete distance to go". This causes a jump to N0410 and inbetween, the escape channel is decoupled and recoupled with a different strategy. N0220 is taken into account since the current position (Y0 Z-40) fulfils the loop condition.