20. Service Macros

The Service Macros add new features to the system by supporting activities such as Plasma Cutting, Probing, Threading, Custom Cycles, etc.
Anyone can create Service Macros and here are described what we already made for end-user.

With plasma cutting, especially on large processing surfaces, there is a need to manually cut the remaining scraps.
This is either to optimize the waste material for other uses or due to the difficulty of manually removing what remains on the work surface.
The macro is useful also to manually cut simple material forms as well as lines, squares, diagonals, without the need for a CAD/CAM to create the toolpath.

With the plasma_manual_cut.ngc is possible to acquire a continuous series of reference points directly on the material to cut.
When the needed cut points are acquired the macro can start the automatic cut of the resulting path in reverse order applying probing height and THC.

The macro requires:

• A pulse switch, connected with a User Input, to acquire a cut point or to reset all acquired cut points.
• A pulse switch, connected with a User Input, to execute the cut with the acquired cut points.
• An optional light indicator, connected with a User Output, to notice to the operator:
  • The acquiring of a cut point.
  • The reset of the acquired cut points.
  • The execution of acquired points.
• The macro 6000.ngc to manage TORCH ON (with probing and THC).
• The macro 6001.ngc to manage TORCH OFF (with THC).
• A macro macro_nn.ngc (where nn stay for the number of Macro from Input) called by the pulse switch for acquiring cut point.
• A macro macro_nn.ngc (where nn stay for the number of Macro from Input) called by the pulse switch for the execution of acquired cut points.
• The correct setup of #4000..4015 parameters to define the macro behaviors.