TRAK Machine Tools
Southwestern Industries, Inc.
The ProtoTRAK DXF Converter Operating Manual
11
Continuing with the example above, say that you want to counter bore the same five
locations. The locations are the same, but you want to use a different tool, different
RPMs and different Z dimensions. Therefore, you will establish a different event group.
After you establish the first event group you can either click the Event button and
program the data for the first group, click on the drill softkey again, or click on
something other than Drill, and then select Drill again. You will now be working on a new
event group.
3.6.4 Chaining
Chaining is a powerful feature of the DXF Converter that enables you to program pockets
and profiles quickly and easily. You will be asked if you want to chain when you select
Pocket or Profile. To use chaining select Yes, then click on the first line in the pocket or
profile. The first line you select will determine where the ProtoTRAK begins to machine.
You will then be prompted to continue. This second line tells the ProtoTRAK which
direction to go.
Once the chaining begins, it will continue in the direction you choose until it encounters
one of the following:
•
An end point that is the same as the beginning of the profile or pocket event. This
signals the completion of an enclosed shape.
•
A gap that exceeds the gap tolerance (see Section 3.3.3).
•
An intersection or branch that requires a decision from you. If this is encountered,
the system will prompt you to select the direction by clicking the next line or arc
segment you want included in the pocket or profile.
To end the chaining process on a profile that does not close (does not have the same
start and end point) simply select the Event button to fill in the additional event data,
select the same event type or another event type. You can use the Undo button to un-
select any number of steps in the chain, one step at a time.
3.6.5 Color Schemes and Status Flags
Through out the conversion process geometry changes colors from white, to purple, to
blue to green.
White
–
Geometry not yet associated with any ProtoTRAK event.
Purple
–
Geometry has been associated with a ProtoTRAK event; the event type is still
current and the Undo feature active for that event.
Blue
–
Geometry has been associated with a ProtoTRAK event; the event type is no
longer current (you changed event types) or the Event button has been pressed.
Additional information needs to be entered before the event is complete. Undo feature
does not work on the event.
Green
–
The event has been completely defined, no further input is needed.
When you click on the Event button to enter data necessary to complete an event, you
will notice the
“Not OK” flag at the top
right-hand corner. Once the event definition is
complete, the
flag changes to “OK”.
This geometry color and flag status scheme will be the same for all events throughout
the entire DXF converter process.
