Glossary
Basic Functions
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Function Manual, 09/2011, 6FC5397-0BP40-2BA0
PCIN data transfer program
PCIN is an auxiliary program for sending and receiving CNC user data (e.g. part programs, tool offsets, etc.) via
a serial interface. The PCIN program can run in MS-DOS on standard industrial PCs.
Peripheral module
I/O modules represent the link between the CPU and the process.
I/O modules are:
• → Digital input/output modules
• → Analog input/output modules
• → Simulator modules
PLC
Programmable Logic Control: → Programmable logic controller. Component of → NC: Programmable controller
for processing the control logic of the machine tool.
PLC program memory
SINUMERIK 840D: The PLC user program, the user data and the basic PLC program are stored together in the
PLC user memory.
PLC Programming
The PLC is programmed using the STEP 7 software. The STEP 7 programming software is based on the
WINDOWS standard operating system and contains the STEP 5 programming functions with innovative
enhancements.
Polar coordinates
A coordinate system, which defines the position of a point on a plane in terms of its distance from the origin and
the angle formed by the radius vector with a defined axis.
Polynomial interpolation
Polynomial interpolation enables a wide variety of curve characteristics to be generated, such as straight line,
parabolic, exponential functions (SINUMERIK 840D).
Positioning axis
Axis that performs an auxiliary movement on a machine tool (e.g. tool magazine, pallet transport). Positioning
axes are axes that do not interpolate with → path axes.
