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MANUALS

Overview of the CNC-7

This chapter provides an overview of the CNC-7 controller, explains its features, and tells how to use them.

The CNC-7 Controller

The CNC-7 monitor and keyboard sit atop a console. On CNC-7's which are integrated into the machine (such as the Concept-IV and MK-VII) a swing arm is used, allowing you to move the CNC-7 closer to or farther away from the base of the machine.
The features of the control include:
o Monitor o Touch sensitive display screen (Touchscreen) o Operator's keyboard o Floppy disk drive o System power and Servo buttons o Emergency Stop button The CNC-7 controller is a computer that you use to control the Drilling/Routing machine. The controller operates the machine using programs which are loaded through devices such as the floppy disk drive. The CNC-7 will operate similarly regardless of which drilling/routing machine it is used on.

console

The Monitor, Touchscreen, and keyboard

Monitor and Touchscreen

Each CNC-7 is equipped with a 14 inch color monitor. The monitor is equipped with a touch sensitive display screen (touchscreen). All drilling/routing machine operations may be controlled using the touchscreen. You can move the machine table, select a drill program, choose tools, and run a program simply by touching the screen. You'll receive a constant update on job status, and messages appear if something goes wrong. The amount of information available on the CNC-7 is far too much to show on one display page. Therefore, the information is broken up into several different pages. Each page deals with a specific program function. The next chapter gives a brief explanation of the Front Panel page, and tells you how to move from on page to another.

Keyboard

Each controller is equipped with a keyboard. The keyboard is similar to a typewriter keyboard, but has extra keys added for computer operations. The CNC-7 keyboard has three primary uses: Logging in and out of the controller, entering a new part program name, and editing an existing program.
Two keys on the keyboard will help you when you're entering data. These keys are:
RETURN - The RETURN key is used to enter data into the CNC-7. After you've typed in something (like a password), press the RETURN key to begin processing the data or command.
DEL - The DEL (delete) key is used to correct mis-typed information without erasing all of it. Each time you press DEL, the cursor will move one space to the left and erase the character in that space.
NOTE: Most machine operations can be performed using the keyboard (as with the CNC-6 console) rather than the touchscreen. Touchscreen operation is much easier and is therefore recommended.

Disk Drives

The CNC-7 is normally equipped with one floppy disk drive and one hard disk drive. These devices are located in the rear enclosure and are used to load system software into the computer. Up to two optional floppy disk drives (5.25 or 3.5 inch) may be added to the console portion of the machine. These devices are used to allow the operator to load part program information into the machine.

Power and Servo On-Off Buttons

The POWER ON-OFF and SERVO ON-OFF buttons are located on the CNC-7 console. The POWER ON-OFF buttons control activation of electrical power to the CNC-7 and the drilling/routing machine. The ON button must be depressed to begin CNC-7 operation. The SERVO ON-OFF button controls the activation of electrical power to the machine's servo system. Once powered, the servo system controls worktable movement.
CAUTION: The SERVO ON button should not be depressed until all personnel are clear of the worktable. The drilling/routing machine is equipped with safety devices to prevent injury to the operator. If one of these safety devices is activated, the SERVO ON-OFF button will switch to the OFF position and must be manually reset.

Emergency Stop Button

The EMERGENCY STOP button is located on the CNC-7 console. This button is a push type and, when activated, will cut off electrical power to the CNC-7 console and the drilling/routing machine. This button is for emergencies only, and should not be used as an ON-OFF button for the CNC-7 or the machine.

mcstatus

Machine Status Light

The drilling/routing machine comes equipped with a color coded machine status light. This light is normally mounted on top of a rod, visible from anywhere in the shop. The light has three colors: green, yellow, and red. Machine status can be determined by checking which light is illuminated.
Light combinations:
o Green - Machine is running o Green flashing - Machine is nearing the end of program o Yellow - Machine has reached the end of program o Yellow flashing - Machine is paused within a program o Red flashing - Machine is paused within a program and a feedhold condition exists, or an error has been detected that will not allow the machine to complete the program

Green Light

The green light will illuminate during part program execution. The light will begin flashing when nearing the end of the program (only a certain number of hits remaining).

Yellow Light

The yellow light operates in two modes: flashing and non-flashing. A flashing yellow light indicates the machine has paused within the part program due to a programmed halt or other reason. A non-flashing yellow light indicates the machine has reached the end of the part program. The yellow light will extinguish when the program is restarted or the machine is reset.

Red Light

The red light will flash if the machine must stop due to a feedhold condition (such as low air), or the machine is unable to complete the program (for example, an invalid part program code is found). In the case of a feedhold, the flashing red light will be replaced by a flashing yellow light when the condition clears, indicating the program may now be restarted. The red light will also extinguish if the machine is reset. EXCELLON Automation Co., a division of
Esterline Technologies, Inc.