Southwestern Industries, Inc.
TRAK
EMX Knee Mill, Bed Mill & ProtoTRAK
EMX CNC Retrofit Safety, Programming, Operating & Care Manual
53
OVERRIDE
: the feedrate override, controlled by pressing the up or down arrow keys above and
below the soft keys.
10.4 Program Run Prompts
During Program Run, messages that direct you will appear in a green box. The ProtoTRAK EMX
will wait until you press Go before moving the servo motors. What you need to do is obvious in
most cases. Below is some supplemental information.
Check Z
: Means to make sure the quill is properly retracted because the next move will be
rapid. Press GO to continue. Not applicable to 2 ½ axis mode.
Set Z
: Means to drill and retract the quill for a drilling operation, or set and lock the quill to the
proper depth for a milling cut. Press GO to continue. Not applicable to 2 ½ axis mode.
Load Tool (green box):
The ProtoTRAK prompts you each time you need to change a tool. In
2 axis mode, you can rezero out this new tool at any time by lowering the quill to the top of your
part and pressing Z = 0 ABS SET. The setting of Z zero is not applicable in 2 ½ axis mode.
Run Over
: Means that the program run is complete. If you are running a second part that will be
fixtured/clamped in the exact same position as the first part, you do not need to relocate the absolute
0 and restart. Instead, press
the NEXT PART softkey when the conversation line states "Run Over"
and the system will proceed directly to Event 1.
10.5 Stop
At any time, pressing the STOP key will halt the program. This freezes the program at that point. To
continue, press the GO key.
10.6 Feedrate Override
The run feedrate may be changed at any time by pressing the up and down arrow keys to the right of
the LCD screen. Each press changes the programmed feedrate (as well as the rapid feedrate) in 10%
increments. The maximum overrides are from 10% to 150% of programmed feedrates.
10.7 Data Errors
A program must make sense geometrically. For example, you can't machine a .250 inch diameter circular
pocket using a .500 inch end mill. Data errors will nearly always be detected when the ProtoTRAK EMX
runs through a program--either as a trial run or on an actual part run.
The Error message displays the error number (not necessarily important to you) and the event where the
error was detected. This is not necessarily the event that is in error since the system often "looks ahead"
to make sure there is compatibility from one event to another.
In addition, an explanation is given for each data error type as well as a suggested solution.
10.8 Fault Messages
The ProtoTRAK performs a number of automatic checks or self-diagnostics. If problems are found it will
signal you through the display.
