Code Generator Compiler

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Welcome to Code Generator Compiler

Code Generator Compiler produces a Code Generator (a *.?CP file), from code generator source code (in a *.?
XT file).
The source code is written for particular CNC machine characteristics. It can be automatically written by Code
Wizard, from the CNC machine characteristics you enter in Code Wizard.
Alternatively you can write the source code yourself, either from scratch or by editing the Code Wizard source
code. More details are provided in the Code Wizard help.
Code Wizard has its own compiler, so you only need to use Code Generator Compiler if you have written your
own source code.
Note that to write your own source code you need a knowledge of CNC code, the source code language (as
detailed in this help file), and the mechanics of the Edgecam module(s) involved. Knowing a programming
language such as 'C', or BASIC would also be useful.
WARNING
To avoid any possible damage to your machine tools and material, test EVERY Code Generator File
THOROUGHLY before using it to cut material.
Edgecam User Guide
Generating CNC Code

Click the re-run button to, in one operation:
Re-compile the code generator, so it is up to date with the changes you made in the
source code.
Use this latest code generator compilation to re-generate the last CNC code file produced
by Edgecam (from the temporary files that Edgecam saves prior to processing them into
CNC code).
This means that you can quickly check the effects of your code generator source code changes
on the produced CNC code.
Edgecam User Guide
About Source Files

The Code Generator is a sequential ASCII file which, when compiled, becomes a binary file. The sequential
file, which can be edited, is usually referred to as the source text file. This file consists of a series of definitions
that each has a specific purpose.
A Code Generator is generally derived from a previously tried and tested source text file.
See Also
File Naming Conventions
Structure of Source Files
Variable Declarations
Setting the Machine Tool Environment
Macros
User-Defined System Variables
Format Table
System Variables List
Milling Cutter Radius Compensation
Multilevel Drilling
Edgecam User Guide
File Naming Conventions

The compiled file names will be the first eight characters plus the appropriate extension as listed below.
The Compiler recognises the type of Code Generator it is compiling by the source file extension. The extension
must always be ?xt where the ? is as follows:
Milling/Laser/Flame-cutting etc.
*.mxt
2-axis Turning
*.2xt
4-axis Turning
*.4xt
2 or 4-axis & C-axis Turning
*.cxt
Wire Erosion
*.wxt
The %MACHINE statement should be consistent with the extension to make recognition of the type of file
easier.
For example:
%MACHINE=MILL=...
NNCNC01.MXT compiles as
NNCNC01.MCP
%MACHINE=LATHE=...
NNCNC01.2XT compiles as
NNCNC01.TCP
%MACHINE=LATHE=...
NNCNC01.4XT compiles as
NNCNC01.TCP
%MACHINE=LATHE=...
NNCNC01.CXT compiles as
NNCNC01.TCP
%MACHINE=UVWIRE=...
NNCNC01.WXT compiles as
NNCNC01.WCP
The type of lathe Code Generator is determined by the Compiler by the existence of particular macros in the
source file. For example,. Macro 43 = C Axis file, Macro 23 = 4 Axis file.
The Compiler also outputs a *.doc file which can be given to customers with the Code Generator. This file can
be either in printed form or to be viewed using the standard Windows application Notepad.exe, as a reference
guide to the commands within the Code Generator. The Compiler outputs all lines starting with an asterisk to
the .doc file. Any remarks that are only for the applications engineer's reference should begin with a semicolon.
Edgecam User Guide
Structure of Source Files

There are four distinct sections to a source text file:
These all start with %DECLARE. They may appear anywhere within the file except within MACROS or the
FORMAT TABLE.
Machine Tool Macro
This gives information about the machine tool CONFIGURATION such as maximum feeds/speeds, and also
controls some elements of the menu configuration during the initial set up procedure within machining.
Macros
These groups of lines must all start with %MACRO={name} and end with %ENDM. One MACRO must exist for
each type of machining instruction to be used. Definitions must not be nested. MACROS may appear in any
order. %PROCEDURE={name} are a subgroup of MACRO definitions.
Format Table
This is a series of lines starting with the statement %FORMAT and ending with the statement %ENDF.
The format table must contain only valid instructions for formatting particular letter addresses.
Edgecam User Guide
Users may create their own variables which are referred to as user-defined variables. These are always
entered in upper case and may be of two kinds -numeric and string.
All user defined string and numeric variables must be declared using the statement %DECLARE=. The general
format for this is:
%DECLARE={variable1},{variable2},{variable3},......
Any number of %DECLARE= statements may appear in the post file. User defined string and numeric variables
may be declared within the same statement but for clarity it is better to separate them.
See Also
Numeric Variables
String Variables
Edgecam User Guide
Numeric Variables
All numeric variables have names beginning with a '#' and have a numeric value associated with them. This
has either been:
Declared explicitly, e.g. #BLOCK=10, or
Calculated, e.g. #BLOCK=#START+#COUNT, or
Requested from the user during code generating (using %ASK).
Edgecam User Guide
String Variables
The names for user defined character strings begin with a '$'. These string variables represent a string of alpha
characters which the user has supplied during the machining session or whilst code generating. The string will
be output by the Code Generator.
During compilation of a %MACRO, if a user-defined variable is encountered which has not been declared, then
the following error message will appear:
Variable has not been declared in {line of file in error}
User-defined variable names may be of any length but must consist solely of alphanumerics (A-Z and 0-9). It is
only necessary to declare user-defined variables, as system variables are predefined. Any attempt to declare
variables not starting with either a '#' or a '$' will result in the Code Generator compiler error:
'Invalid declaration in {line in error}'
Edgecam User Guide
Setting the Machine Tool Environment

The Code Generator source text file must contain the machine tool macro. This defines the default values
within the machining module; for example, maximum spindle speed, feedrate etc.
The macro can be used to define further options to be permitted during machining module initialisation.
The machine tool macro starts with a %MACHINE statement:
%MACHINE=[machine type]=[user defined text]
where [machine type] may be MILL, LATHE, or UVWIRE. The user-defined text may be up to 78 characters
long and will appear on the screen during code generating and would typically contain machine
tool/controller/user name information.
Here is an example layout for a turning centre:
%MACHINE=LATHE=Mori Seiki SL-35 (MM units) Fanuc 16TF controller
MM=1,4000,3000,400,1,1,1,0,0,3,50
MT=Upper Turret,10,200,0,300,500,500,1000,-500,-500,-100,2000,1000,10
MT=Lower Turret,10,-200,0,300,-200,0,300,500,500,1000,-500,-500,-100,1000,200,5
%ENDMACH
The remaining lines of the machine tool macro are Code Generator defined modifiers which can be used with
any of the Code Generator macros.
The machine tool macro is terminated by the %ENDMACH statement.
See Also
MM (Machine Details Line)
MT (Machine Tool Turret Details Line)
Edgecam User Guide
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MM (Machine Details Line)

MM=1,2,.......,40
Position
Information
Range
Module
Units
0 = Inches
1 = Millimetres
All
Maximum Rapid Rate
Value
All
Maximum Spindle RPM
Value
Mill+Turn
Maximum Angular Feed
Value in Degrees/minute
Turn
Two tapes
0 = No
1 = Yes
Turn
Rapid 3D
0 = No
1 = Yes
Mill+Turn
Resolve rapid movement
0 = Resolved
1 = Unresolved
Mill+Turn
Compatibility
See Compatibility
Mill
Axes of Rotation
Obsolescent - only used by

Mill
Edgecam where no machine tree
file (.tmc or .mmc) exists. See
notes for Rotary and Multiplane
milling and notes for Five Axis
Machining.
10
Plane Switching
0 = XY
1 = XY, ZX
2 = XY, ZY
3 = XY, ZX, ZY
Mill
11
Initial Plane
Value
Mill
12
Not used
13
Profile or Guide Height
0 = Profile
1 = Guide
UVWire
14
Z Top Guide
Value
UV Wire
15
Z Bottom Guide
Value
UV Wire
16
90 degree Lead in approach

move (factor * toolradius)
Value
Mill+Turn
17
Rotary output mode
See Rotary Output Mode
Mill+Turn
18
Maximum Programmable
Radius
See Maximum Programmable

Radius
Mill+Turn
19
Radial Arc Output

(Rotary mode)
0 = Disabled
1 = Enabled
Mill+Turn
Edgecam User Guide
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20
CX Interpolation
0 = Disabled
1 = Enabled
Turn
See CX Interpolation
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Spline output support
0 = Disabled
1 = NURB (Fanuc)
2 = Spline (Heidenhain)
3 = Siemens 840D
Mill
See Spline Output

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Helical arcs
0 = Not supported; output as

Mill+Turn
linear feed moves.
1 = Single Pitch at a time; helical
arc is limited to 360 degrees
maximum.
2 = Multi Pitch; complete helix
output as one arc move.
27
Default CNC Code filename

extension
The text of the extension.
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Machine coordinate output

(Non-Orthogonal planes)
0=no
1=yes
(Not yet in use)
Mill
29
Machine coordinate output

(Orthogonal planes)
0=no
1=yes
(Not yet in use)
Mill
30
Pivot Point
0=Pivot around Tooltip

1=Pivot around Rotary axis
Mill
31
5 axis cycle
1=Abs Pivot Point

2=Part Coords
3=Baxis ToolTip
4=Baxis Pivot Point
Mill+Turn
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Version
1 = EC10.5 style
Mill only
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Inverse Time Feedrates
0=Not inverse
1=Inverse
Mill+Turn
34
Use IJK in 5 Axis
0=no
Mill+Turn
1=yes (Sw 31 must be set "2" for
IJK)
35
CRC Corner Display
0=round
1=sharp
36
Multi-plane nutated
0=Orthogonally aligned
1=Machine axis aligned
37
Multiplane coordinate output
0=CPL Coordinates
1=Machine Coordinates
All
See Default CNC Code Filename

Extension.
Edgecam User Guide
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38
Pivot about Tool Tip
0=no
1=yes
39
Always Reset Rotary Datum

after 5 axis milling cycle
0=no
1=yes
40
CRC support in helical milling
0=no
1=yes
Here is an example MM line:

MM=1,4000,3000,400,1,1,1,0,0,3,50
So, the Maximum RPM is specified as 3000 RPM (position 3=3000).
See Also
Compatibility (Position 8 of the MM Line) Axes of Rotation (Position 9 of the MM Line)
Code Generators Configured for Rotary and Multiplane Machining
Code Generators Configured for Five Axis Machining Cycles
Rotary Output Mode (Position 17 of the MM Line)
Maximum Programmable Radius (Position 18 of the MM Line)
CX Interpolation (Position 20 of the MM Line)
Spline output (Position 21 of the MM Line)
Default CNC Code Filename Extension (Position 27 of the MM Line)
Edgecam User Guide
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Compatibility (Position 8 of the MM Line)

Position 8 in the MM (Machine Details) line sets a bitwise flag that determines which compatibility settings are
to be used:
Bit
Meaning
Simple Index disabled. (Milling only)
Simple Index enabled. (Milling only)
Visit the Reset macro once the Mirror macro has finished. (Milling only)
Enables Reverse Offset. (Milling only)
This reverses the tool side in cases where a single 45-degree line is being profiled.
(Turning only)
16
Enable true NEXTMOVE look ahead within the Toolchange Macro. (Turning and
Milling)
See Note below.
32
Enable Edgecam Version 4 controller compensation enhancements. (Milling only)

Note: This bit should only be set in Code Generator files intended exclusively for use
with Edgecam Version 4.0 or later.
Note
There is a limitation with the NEXTMOVE system variables within the toolchange macro (%MACRO=15). If a
two stage rapid move is created directly after the toolchange (in the case of Turning by applying a Safe
Approach) the NEXTMOVE variables are set to the intermediate point rather than the final destination point.
To enable the ability to set the NEXTMOVE variables to the next destination point, you should add 16 to the
MM line switch 8. Although this feature gives improved look ahead, the logic in existing code generators can
be upset unless they are modified to take into account this change.
Edgecam User Guide
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Code Generators Configured for Rotary and Multiplane Machining

In Rotary and Multiplane machining the secondary axis will be 'free' (that is dependent on the primary axis).
Calculate the value for position 9 of the MM line by adding the primary and secondary axis values:
PRIMARY
SECONDARY (FREE)
A AXIS
B AXIS
2 ( DEFAULT)
16
C AXIS
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For example, a machine tool which has a fixed axis primary A and a free axis secondary B would give:
System variable MACHTYPE = 1(A) + 16(B) = 17
AMOVE BMOVE and CMOVE hold the rotational value of the primary and secondary axes dependant upon the
definition in the %Machine statement (position 9). From the above example, the machine type = 1(A primary) +
16(B secondary) = 17, therefore:
AMOVE = ROT1
BMOVE = ROT2
CMOVE = #FUNNY
ROT1 and ROT2 will always be identical to two of the variables in both planar and rotary modes. For turning,
CMOVE will always be the primary axis. These variables are accessed through the Index macro.
When rotary mode has been selected, all rotary system variables will be available in the Feed, Rapid and
Edgecam User Guide
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Move Angular macros.
Edgecam User Guide
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Code Generators Configured for Five Axis Machining Cycles

This information refers to the pre-Version 10.5 Five Axis Milling cycles that use PDI technology in pre-adaptive
(non-Code Wizard) templates.
For these cycles the secondary axis will be 'fixed' (that is independent of the primary axis).
Specify the value in position 9 of the MM line by adding the primary and secondary axis values:
Primary
Secondary (fixed)
A axis
64
B axis
2 (default)
128
C axis
256
Edgecam User Guide
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Edgecam User Guide
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Rotary Output Mode (Position 17 of the MM Line)

Toolpath cycles that have been generated using wrapped geometry can output the NC co-ordinates either at
the cycle depth, at the Wrapped radius or as unwrapped data. As this is a controller function, the MM line
switch number 17 is used.
0= Output NC co-ordinates at specified cycle depth. (Current default for Caxis)
1= Output NC co-ordinates at Wrapped Radius.
2=Output NC co-ordinates as the original unwrapped data
The Profile Milling command supports six different toolpath outputs dependent upon Switch 17 on the MM line
and the Compensation modifier.
Tool Centre path at depth: The wrapped toolpath outputs the NC co-ordinates by outputting the tool centre
position at the specified depth of the cycle.
MM 17= 0 , Compensation = Pathtrace
Tool Centre path at Wrap level: The wrapped toolpath outputs the NC co-ordinates by outputting the tool
centre position at the wrapped level of the specified entities.
Tool Centre path at Unwrapped: The unwrapped toolpath outputs the NC co-ordinates by outputting the tool
centre position of the unwrapped specified entities.
Tool Reverse offset at depth: The wrapped toolpath outputs the NC co-ordinates by offsetting the tool centre
position by the radius of the tool back towards the geometry boundary at the specified depth of the cycle.
MM 17= 0 , Compensation = Controller
Tool Reverse offset at Wrap level: The wrapped toolpath outputs the NC co-ordinates by offsetting the tool
centre position by the radius of the tool back towards the geometry boundary at the wrapped level of the
selected entities.
Tool Reverse offset Unwrapped: The unwrapped toolpath outputs the NC co-ordinates by offsetting the tool
centre position by the radius of the tool back towards the geometry boundary of the selected entities.
Edgecam User Guide
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Edgecam User Guide
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Maximum Programmable Radius (Position 18 of the MM Line)

Most machine tools have a Maximum Programmable Radius (MPR), usually limited by the controller format.
The MPR can be entered into position 18 of the MM line as shown in these examples:
*...|16 |17| 18 |19|20
MM=...,1.5,1 ,9999.999,1 ,0 (MPR set to specific value)
*...|16 |17|18|19|20
MM=...,1.5,1 ,0 ,1 ,0 (MPR set to zero will convert all arcs to feed moves)
*...|16 |17|18|19|20
MM=...,1.5,1 ,-1,1 ,0 (MPR set to -1 removes any limitations)
The MPR should be entered in the same units as set in switch 1 of the MM line. If non-default units are used in
a part program, the decimal place for the MPR will be moved up or down 1 place accordingly.
Edgecam User Guide
21
CX Interpolation (Position 20 of the MM Line)

%CXCYCLE can be used when axially machining on a lathe. If this directive is not used within a Code
Generator, switch 20 on the MM line will allow you to disable this functionality, giving a timesaving when
generating CL data within Edgecam.
%CXCYCLE Enabled = 1
%CXCYCLE Disabled = 0
Edgecam User Guide
22
Spline Output (Position 21 of the MM Line)

A macro is defined in the Code Generator called:
%MACRO=SPLINES
Within this macro, a number of system variables will be set, depending on the type of output required.
0 = Disabled
1 = NURB (Fanuc)
2 = Spline (Heidenhain)
3 = Siemens 840D
The spline output from Edgecam depends on the machine type selected, as the spline formats of the Fanuc,
Heidenhain and Siemens controllers are different. The Fanuc controller accepts any NURB spline up to degree
3, the Heidenhain controller requires a cubic polynomial parameterised over the range [1..0], and the Siemens
controller requires a cubic polynomial paramaterised over the range [0..1]. (It also accepts NURB splines of
degree 2 or 3, but Edgecam does not output these for the Siemens controller.)
See Also
Fanuc-Style Spline Output
Heidenhain-Style Spline Output
Siemens-Style Spline Output
Edgecam User Guide
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Default CNC Code Filename Extension

Switch 27 on the MM line is a default extension for CNC code files (without the dot).
To set an extension of 'TNC' for example:
; 1|2 |3 |4|5|6|7|8|9|0|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|
8 |9|0|1|2|3|4|5|6|7
MM=1,30000,2000,0,0,0,1,39,2,0,20,0,0,0,0,1,0,9999.999,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,TNC
This is used if you leave the extension of the CNC code filename unspecified, when generating CNC code. It
takes precedence over the default extension specified using Options menu Preferences Toolpaths tab
Default NC File Extension.
Omit the extension, leaving a double comma ('...0,0,,0' for example), if you do not want to set it and you are
adding further switches to the line.
Edgecam User Guide
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MT (Machine Tool Turret Details Line)

MT=1,2,...,36
Position
Information
Range
Module
Turret Name
String
All
Number of stations
Value
Mill+Turn
Toolchange X position
Value
All
Toolchange Y position
Value
All
Toolchange Z position
Value
Mill+Turn
Tool home X position
Value
All
Tool home Y position
Value
All
Tool home Z position
Value
Mill+Turn
Maximum X value
Value
All
10
Maximum Y value
Value
All
11
Maximum Z value
Value
All
12
Minimum X value
Value
All
13
Minimum Y value
Value
All
14
Minimum Z value
Value
All
15
Maximum Primary feedrate
Value
Mill+Turn
16
Maximum Secondary feedrate
Value
Mill+Turn
17
Toolchange dwell or Wire Threading dwell
Value in Seconds
All
18
Number of load points, on a single slide
Currently only
2 supported
Turn
19
Separation of tools in Z for single slide. For B Value

Axis machines this field contains the B Axis
swing distance.
Turn
20
Separation of tools in X for single slide
Value
Turn
21
B-axis Swing Configuration
Currently only upper Turn

turret supported
22
Default Spindle Id
0 or 1
Turn
23
Min B axis extent
Value
Turn
24
Max B axis extent
Value
Turn
25
Angular Increment of B Axis
Value
Turn
26
B axis angle at Tool Change
Value
Turn
27
Tool Set X
Value
Mill+Turn
28
Tool Set Y
Value
Mill+Turn
Edgecam User Guide
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29
Tool Set Z
Value
Mill+Turn
30
Turret type
0=Indexing
1=ATC
Turn
31
Index time per station
Value
Mill+Turn
32
Move to ToolChange & Home Pivot
0=about tip
1=about pivot point
Turn
33
Move Index
Reserved - leave
blank
NA
34
Move Angular, Feed, Rapid
Reserved - leave
blank
NA
35
B axis capabilities
0= interpolates
1=indexing only
Turn
36
Turret can rotate to face sub spindle
0= no
1= yes
Turn
These parameters provide information on a specific turret (one line per turret).
Here are example MT lines:
MT=Upper Turret,10,200,0,300,500,500,1000,-500,-500,-100,2000,1000,10
MT=Lower Turret,10,-200,0,300,-200,0,300,500,500,1000,-500,-500,-100,1000,200,5
So, from the example above, the first MT line has the turret name "Upper Turret", 10 stations, and so on.
For machines with multiple turrets on one slide, also see Macro 15 Toolchange.
Edgecam User Guide
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MS & MG (Machine Spindle & its Gears Details Line)
Please note that these lines are alternatives to using Data Arrays for specifying their information.
If Macro 252 - Spindle Control is present this method will be used for spindle and gear definitions. This is
implemented for Advanced Turning.
MS=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17
Position
Information
Values
Type
Main, Sub, Driven
ID
0,1,2,3
TurretId
Value (-1=Not Applicable)
Type
0 (Tool), 1 (Work)
Max RPM
Value
MaxAngFeed
Value
Direction
0 (CCLW),1 (CLW)
MirrorOutput
0,1
CSS Capable
0 (No), 1 (Yes)
10
Rotation
0 (none),1 (A), 2(B), 3 (C)
11
Default Location X
Value
12
Default Location Y
Value
13
Default Location Z
Value
14
DefaultTurretID
0,1
15
HorsePower
Value
16
DatumToChuckFace
Value
17
RapidRate M/Min
Value
These parameters provide information on a specific spindle (one line per spindle).
Here is an example MS line:
MS=Main,0,-1,1,7500,280,0,0,1,3,0,0,0, 0,20,130
MG=1,2,3,4,5(,2,3,4,5(,2,3,4,5(,etc.)))
Edgecam User Guide
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Position
Information
Values
Number of gears defined in line
Value
Minimum Rev's Per Minute
Value
Theoretical Maximum Rev's Per Minute
Value
Recommend Maximum Rev's Per Minute
Value
M Code
Value
(2,...
Start of next gear specification - you repeat 2 to 5 for

each gear you want to set up.
These parameters provide information on a set of gears for a spindle (one line per set of gears).
Here is an example MG line:
MG=2,28,5000,5000,41,5001,7500,7500,42
Edgecam User Guide
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Macros
The macro definitions within the Code Generator parameter files follow a standard layout as follows:
%MACRO=[Number]=..=[Description]=[Modifier List]=[Option List]
:
: [directives to control and generate CNC output]
:
%ENDM
The format of the %MACRO line itself is most important as it controls the screen menus which appear during
machining.
Note that the '=..=' portion of the first line must be included - it is a relic of an earlier product (PAMS).
Edgecam User Guide
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Number
This is used to direct the Code Generator and machining programs as to what function is being defined.
Relevant macros must be defined within the Code Generator, otherwise the corresponding command
will not be available during an Edgecam machining worksession using it.
The macro number falls into four groups:
1-50
Executive macros whose number relates to a predefined list of machining functions (see
relevant module chapters) and may produce cutter motions on the graphics screen, e.g.
toolchange, profile, rapid, feed etc. These macros are defined within the Code Generator.
51-100
Non executive macros whose number relates to a predefined list of non-machining

functions.
Others in this group are contained within the Code Generator (for example, START, END,
CLW, CCLW, SUBSTART, RESET and so on). They control the start and end of CNC
programs and other special requirements such as subroutines. They do not form part of
any menus offered to the user during machining and are referred to by name rather than
number within the Code Generator although they do have numbers which can be
accessed by the NEXTMACRO system variable.
101-150 User-defined macros which allow control of M code type CNC operations or special
customer requirements (for example, probing, part changer), including PDIs. These
macros will have no graphical effect on the tool path graphics when invoked. User defined
macros become additional commands within Edgecam and are automatically merged into
the M-Functions menu, when the machine tool file is selected for a machining sequence.
We advise that M-Functions should use macros from 101 upwards and PDIs should use
macros from 150 downwards.
151-199 Reserved exclusively for use when writing a C Axis Code Generator.
200
Reserved for use in connection with PDIs. Allows PDIs to define tooling.
Note that macros with numbers greater than 200 are not permitted.
Edgecam User Guide
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Description
This is a test string that describes the function of the macro.
This string is automatically merged into the Edgecam's Manufacture mode M-Functions menu for user defined
macros, numbers 101 to 151.
Code Generators can support non-English language descriptions. For these macros, the descriptions should
not be longer than 25 characters.
Edgecam User Guide
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Modifier List
The modifier list defines which parameters or modifiers are requested when that macro is invoked. The
parameters are numbers which refer to the parameter list defined in the particular machining language file (see
the relevant module chapters for an explanation and example of the machining language file).
For example:
%MACRO=15=..=Toolchange=8,4,7,48,15,
Each modifier number is separated by a comma. The last entry is also followed by a comma.
Certain parameters will always appear in the menus by default, for example the Cycles menu Rough Profile
command has the modifier Canned Cycle, which is a check box. To remove these from the menu, prefix the
parameter number by a negative sign (-).
For example, the macro line shown below would remove the modifier Canned Cycle from the Rough Turn cycle:
%MACRO=4=..=ROUGH TURN=4,5,7,10,30,31,-21,40, 41,
If the CANNED CYCLE modifier is removed from the menu of any macro, you must redirect processing through
"%NOCYCLE". The system variable PATHTRACE automatically returns the value of 1, but only after
regenerating the menu file and regenerating the machining instructions.
Any modifier displayed in a Edgecam machining command can be removed in this way. This is very useful
where some complex Edgecam functionality is not required.
A good example is the threading command, which can be greatly simplified for many applications.
Edgecam may refuse to execute a command if certain essential modifiers are removed. Also, you can get
inconsistent results if you removed modifiers from generic commands such as Profile, Areaclear and
Crosshatch (Lace).
See Also
Assigning Values to Specific System Variables
Setting Default Modifier Values
Edgecam User Guide
32
Assigning Values to Specific System Variables

Any Edgecam modifier value can be accessed by Code Generators by defining which modifier sets up which
system variable in the %MACRO line.
For example:
%MACRO=3=..=ARC=1,2,5,7,124|176
In this example the value of the MOVE ARC command 2POINT modifier will be set up in variable number 176,
FIELD1.
A better use of this feature is to obtain variable information from PDI-defined commands.
Do not re-assign system variables, used by the current machining session, with inappropriate data.
See Also
System Variables List
Edgecam User Guide
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Setting Default Modifier Values

You can set pre-assigned values for modifiers within the Code Generator. To do this, enclose the value with
square brackets '[]' after the modifier number.
For example:
%MACRO=153=..=Circular Feed Move=1,2,5,7,62[.001],
In this case the Tolerance modifier now defaults to a value of 0.001.
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Option List
If the option list part of the %MACRO definition is present, an appropriate text list box will be available within
the command.
For example:
%MACRO=104=..=Coolant==Flood/Off
This example adds 'Coolant' to the M-Functions menu. If the command is selected, a drop down list box
containing the options Flood and Off is displayed:
Within the user-defined macro, the value is assigned to the system variable SUBFUNCT.
Also note the two consecutive equals signs in this definition '=='. This is because the optional modifier's
numbers are not required for this user-defined macro.
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Numeric Variable Assignment

User numeric variables (those starting with #) can have a value assigned within a macro or procedure.
Although it is also possible to assign values to some system variables (those without a #) in this way, the
practice is not usually recommended since their values are normally set up according to data passed from
Edgecam.
Assignment statements may not contain space characters.
Any use of parentheses must be properly paired.
As with other Code Generator commands, the use of a colon : character denotes a new command on
the same input line.
The order of evaluation of (), */ and +- follows the usual rule of ( ) then ^ then */ then +The = symbol is used to denote assign value
Variables may be assigned as follows:

Simple Assignments
Arithmetic Calculations
Use of Operators
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Simple Assignment, (variable)=(variable/number)

#BNUM=10
Assigns the value of 10 to the variable #BNUM.
#BNUM=#START
Assigns the value held in #START to the variable #BNUM
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Arithmetic Calculations,(variable)=(variable/number)(operator)(variable/number)
Where {operator} is:
+
(plus)
(minus)
(divide)
(multiply)
(raise to the power)
For example:
#BNUM=#BNUM+10
Assigns the old value of #BNUM with 10 added to it
#IVALUE=XCENTRE-XSTART
Assigns the difference between XCENTRE and XSTART
#DIAM=2*#RADIUS
Assigns a value 2 times that of #RADIUS
#TEST=(#TEST1+#TEST2)*#TEST3-#TEST4
There is also a shortened form for expressions of the form {num1}={num1}{operator}{num2} where the operator
is + -/ or *,
for example #BNUM=#BNUM+#BNUMVAR May be written as: #BNUM=+#BNUMVAR
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Use of Operators, {variable}={operator}({variable/number})

Where {operator} is one of these trigonometric or arithmetic functions:
SIN
sine
COS
cosine
TAN
tangent
ATAN
arc tangent
ASIN
arc sine
ACOS
arc cosine
SQR
square root
INT
integer value of *
ABS
remove sign
Note that trigonometric angular arguments are in DEGREES.

* INT converts real numbers to integers by rounding down. Thus 74.6 becomes 74 and 74.3 becomes -75. If
rounding to nearest is required it can be achieved as follows
#PRECISION=1000
#XMOVE=(#XMOVE*#PRECISION+0.5
#XMOVE=INT(#XMOVE)
#XMOVE=#XMOVE/#PRECISION
For example, the coding to calculate incremental unsigned arc centres could be:
#IVALUE=XCENTRE-XSTART:#IVALUE=ABS(#IVALUE)
#JVALUE=YCENTRE-YSTART:#JVALUE=ABS(#JVALUE)
Multiple operator functions and parentheses ( ) may be used; for example:
#TEST=(ABS(#TEST1))/2
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String Variable Assignment

String variables can be assigned by in much the same manner as numeric variables.
Here is an example of their use:
$PROGID=MSG
...
%IF $ANSWER<>Y %THEN %GOTO @SKIP
...
...
...
@SKIP
String comparisons are space dependent. There should be no space after the operator and a space should be
placed after the testing string.
String variables may be defined as in the following example to obtain strings which contain spaces; for
example:
$STRING="This is a string variable"
$MESSAGE="***A string message ***"
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Labels
Labels are positional indicators within a macro that define where code generating should continue after a
conditional or unconditional jump.
All labels must start with the character @ and must then be followed by the alphanumeric name of that label. A
label statement must appear on a line of its own.
The jump label destination of %GOTO must be within the macro in which that %GOTO occurred.
The same label name can occur in different macros.
Should more than 100 labels be defined in any one macro the compiler error message will be issued:
TOO MANY LABELS
An example of a label is:
:
:
%GOTO @JUMP
:
:
@JUMP
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Directives
Directives are the commands available within macros and procedures that allow the manipulation of the data
available within each macro.
See Also
%ASK
%COMMAND... %ENDCOMMAND (Integrating PDIs)
%DEBUG
%GOTO \{jump label\}
%IF ... %THEN ...
%IF... %THEN ... %ELSE ...
%INCLUDE
%OPTIONS
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%ASK
%ASK={promptstring}={user defined variable name}
This is a statement that prompts the user to answer a question during code generating and the reply is then
stored as a variable. The variable may be either numeric or character string.
For example:
%ASK=Enter program label=$LABEL; string assignment
%ASK=Enter program ID number=#NUMBER ;numeric assignment
If no replay string is entered (or Escape or Abort selected) the return value is set as #FUNNY for numeric
variables or a null string("") for string variables.
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%COMMAND... %ENDCOMMAND (Integrating PDIs into Edgecam)

These directives indicate that all data between the %COMMAND and %ENDCOMMAND is to be included
within the Edgecam menu structure.
This feature is specifically designed to allow a PDI program (Edgecam Development Interface program) to be
integrated within Edgecam and to be invoked in an identical manner to any other core Edgecam command.
Here is a typical example allowing a PDI function (a PLANAR CIRCLE POCKET cycle) to be included within the
Edgecam menu structure:
%COMMAND
#CYCLES
20
PLANAR
CIRCLE_POCKET|circpkt
121
26
FEEDRATE
105
PLUNGE_FEED
106
SPEED
107
%_STEPOVER
16
16
116
DEPTH_PARMS
162
256
169
-2
285
CLEARANCE
28
28
128
LEVEL
161
168
287
DEPTH
109
%ENDCOMMAND
The above example will access a PDI called circpkt.exe using those modifiers specified within the Code
Generator. This format is consistent with that found within Edgecam*.cmd files.
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%DEBUG
%DEBUG=ON
%DEBUG=OFF
This statement allows debug mode to be switched on and off from within a Code Generator.
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%GOTO {jump label}

This is an unconditional jump which commands the Code Generator to continue code generating at a position
within the macro defined by a jump label.
For example:
%GOTO @DONT-ASK
...
...
...
@DONT-ASK
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%IF ... %THEN ...

This is a conditional jump which sets up a test condition which can be used to control the subsequent flow of
the Macro or procedure.
Valid tests for the %IF directives are:
=
equal to
<>
not equal to
<
less than
<= or =<
less than or equal to
>
greater than
>= or =>
greater than or equal to
For example:
%IF #FRED=2 %THEN %GOTO @DONT-ASK
%ASK=Enter value for #FRED=#FRED
@DONT-ASK
or the shortened version (which cannot be used with %ELSE):
%IF #FRED=2 @DONT-ASK
%ASK=Enter value for #FRED=#FRED
@DONT-ASK
See Also
Controlling the CNC Output Precision
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%IF... %THEN ... %ELSE ...

%IF {var}{test}{var} %THEN {action 1} %ELSE {action 2}
This command tests for {action 1} to be applied if the {test} is true, if false apply {action 2} where
{action 1} could be #BNUMVAR=0
{action 2} could be #BNUMVAR=10
The label at which post processing will continue if the conditional test passes must be defined within the current
macro.
More than 100 conditional/unconditional jumps within a macro will cause the compiler error message:
TOO MANY JUMPS
%GOTO statements increment the jump counter by one.
%IF %THEN %ELSE statements increment the jump counter by two.
If the jump label within a %IF directive has not been defined the compiler error message will be:
UNDEFINED JUMP DESTINATION IN {line in error}
For example,
%IF UNIT=1 %THEN #GCODE=21 %ELSE #GCODE=20
Note that more than one assignment or directive can be made on each line by separating the commands by a
colon:
%IF UNIT=1 %THEN #GCODE=21:%CALL=METRIC_SETUP:%ELSE
#GCODE=20:%CALL=INCH_SETUP:%GOTO @SKIP
Multiple %IF...%THEN...%ELSE... statements are allowed:
%IF #CURRENTMACRO=8 %THEN
<NUM_STARTS=[FIELD1=27]>
.
.
%ELSEIF #CURRENTMACRO=5 %THEN
<LEAD_IN_ANG=[FIELD1=27]>
.
.
%ELSEIF etc....
.
.
%ELSE
<STRATEGY=[FIELD1=27]>
%ENDIF
Multiple statements using %ELSEIF must be terminated with the %ENDIF directive.
The tab separation and indentation is vital for the %IF and %ELSEIF statements to work correctly.
%IF statements may NOT be nested.
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See Also
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49
%INCLUDE
%INCLUDE=filename
This directive allows you to include a secondary text file; this is useful where the same source code is repeated
in many text files. The text file must be in the same directory as the .?xt Code Generator source file.
The %INCLUDE instruction must not be inside a macro or procedure.
%INCLUDE files may not be nested.
Note that after use of %INCLUDE it may be necessary to program an additional %ENDM either at the end of
the included file or immediately after the %INCLUDE instruction.
%INCLUDE=txt1.mac
%ENDM
It is permissible to call more than one file from a base file:
%INCLUDE=txt1.mac
%INCLUDE=txt2.mac
%ENDM
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%OPTIONS
%OPTIONS={Prompt stringÔption1Ôption2...}={user-defined var}
This is similar to %ASK but displays an option list for the user to select from. The prompt string contains the
title of the option box, and selectable options are separated by "^".
The user variable is set up as the option number selected.
For example:
%OPTIONS=Select Rapid Rate^HighFeed^RapidRate=#RAPID
This statement would cause the following option box to be displayed at the time of starting the Code Generator
for CNC output.
The user variable #RAPID is set up as 1 for High Feed and 2 for Rapid Rate.
If Escape or Abort is detected the #RAPID variable is set to #FUNNY .
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Format Output Control

Four directives control the outputting of variables to CNC code. The first three are mutually exclusive.
% A L W A Y S-OUTPUT
is the default for all variables. It cancels the variables

%OUTPUT-IF-CHANGED and %DONT-OUTPUT
% O U T P U T-IFCHANGED
restrains the output if the variable value has not changed

from the previous output. It cancels %ALWAYS-OUTPUT
and %DONT-OUTPUT
% D O N T-OUTPUT
allows modal inhibition of the output of variables.

It cancels %ALWAYS-OUTPUT and %OUTPUT-IF-CHANGED
%CANCEL
is a non modal command that causes the output of the listed

variables at the next applicable opportunity. The output will
occur independently of the setting of %OUTPUT-IF-CHANGED,
and so output will be forced if the variable value has or has not changed.
A variable included in the %DONT-OUTPUT statement can still be output in the CNC code if its output line is
preceded by a %CANCEL directive.
PRECISION is a system variable that sets the accuracy limit for the %OUTPUT-IF-CHANGED, %DONTOUTPUT and %ALWAYS-OUTPUT directives.
The syntax for the variable is:
PRECISION=0.001
Using this example (0.001), if the last X move was X5.123456 and the next move is X5.12345786, the
%OUTPUT-IF-CHANGED directive would only consider the first 3 decimal places, and the X move would be
suppressed.
See Also
Example of %ALWAYS-OUTPUT
Example of %OUTPUT-IF-CHANGED
Example of %DONT-OUTPUT
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Example of %ALWAYS-OUTPUT
During machining three rapid moves had been defined as:
X2 Y3 Z4,
X2 Y3 Z0,
X6 Y3 Z0
Within the Code Generator the X,Y, and Z are set as follows:
%ALWAYS-OUTPUT=XMOVE,YMOVE,ZMOVE
the CNC code would be
...
N130 G00X2.0Y3.0Z4.0
N140 G00X2.0Y3.0Z0.0
N150 G00X6.0Y3.0Z0.0
...
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Example of %OUTPUT-IF-CHANGED
%OUTPUT-IF-CHANGED=XMOVE,YMOVE,ZMOVE,#GCODE
The CNC code would be:
...
N130 G00X2.0Y3.0Z4.0
N140 Z0.0
N150 X6.0
...
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Example of %DONT-OUTPUT
%DONT-OUTPUT=YMOVE
The CNC code would be:
...
N130 G00X2.0Z4.0
%CANCEL=#YMOVE
N140 G00Z0.0Y3.0
N150 G00X6.0
...
The directive used most commonly is %OUTPUT-IF-CHANGED and it is usually placed within the START
macro with all the required variables.
The %CANCEL directive is used to emulate a controller which has turned off a modal function - for example, a
toolchange M06 might turn off the coolant, therefore the coolant could be canceled so that it was restated after
the toolchange was complete.
Note that the %OUTPUT-IF-CHANGED and %CANCEL directives may only be used for numeric variables,
whereas the %ALWAYS-OUPUT and %DONT-OUTPUT directives may be used for numeric or string variables.
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CNC Code Output

A macro line enclosed by < > is interpreted for conversion to CNC code.
The description of a CNC output line may take more than one line within the macro. If a > is not found within a
macro after a < has been encountered, this will cause the compiler error message:
UNEXPECTED END OF CNC CODE IN {line in error}
Within the <...> three types of CNC code instruction exist:
Literal characters
which will always appear without any change in the CNC output.
For example <G90>
String variables
They must be surrounded by square brackets. No formatting will

take place unless the author restricts the string length by adding
the number of characters required onto the end of the string
(for example [$FRED=12]) - this will left justify the string to a
length of 12 characters.
System or User Defined

numeric variables
Each numeric variable must be equated to a line number in the

format table and be surrounded by square brackets. For example,
[XMOVE=1] commands the code generator to interpret the numeric
value of the system variable XMOVE, formatted as defined in line
1 of the format table, then output to the CNC code.
A numeric variable must always be followed by an = and then a number representing its format reference
number. A number less than zero or greater than the number of lines in the format table will cause the compiler
error:
FORMAT REFERENCE ERROR: {line in error}
Examples of CNC macro lines are:
<[#BNUM=19] G01[XMOVE=0]
;Notethatthisline
[YMOVE=1][ZMOVE=2][XYFEED=7]
; of CNC code has been
[ZFEED=7][#COOL=15]>
;createdover3textlines
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Special Characters
You may often need to include special characters in CNC code which already have a designated meaning
within Edgecam.
To do this, place the ASCII value of the required character between curly brackets { }.
For example:
<[#BNUM=20] (IF P67{60}{62}1 GOTO [#BNUMJUMP=20])>
because the ASCII value of < is 60, and the ASCII value of > is 62
This allows the output of any valid ASCII character (the next sub-section displays all common ASCII values.
ASCII characters 128-255 vary depending on the country).
WARNING: If an output line spilling over into two lines contains hard coded spaces, these spaces
may be truncated by the compiler.
For example:
<[#BNUM=20]... (80 spaces) ...(CR)
(40 spaces)... M30>
may be truncated to:
<[#BNUM=20]... (10 spaces) ...(CR)
(40 spaces)... M30>
This line is therefore best written as:
<[#BNUM=20]... (120 spaces) M30>
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ASCII Table
ASCII Value ASCII Character
032
SPACE
033
034
"
035
036
037
038
&
039
'
040
041
042
043
044
045
046
047
048
049
050
051
052
053
054
055
056
057
058
059
060
<
061
062
>
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063
064
065
066
067
068
069
070
071
072
073
074
075
076
077
078
079
080
081
082
083
084
085
086
087
088
089
090
091
092
093
094
095
096
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097
098
099
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
DEL
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Controlling the Size of CNC Files

By default Edgecam directs CNC output to one CNC file. However, the size of this file can be limited by the use
of the NUMBLOCKS or NUMCHARS system variables.
To restrict the number of blocks (lines) to 1500, define this statement in the START macro:
NUMBLOCKS=1500
The NUMCHARS system variable is used in a similar way.
See Also
Multiple Files and Naming
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Multiple Files and Naming

When multiple files are created, the Code Generator modifies the original file name to allow each CNC file to
be stored on disk.
Each file created has the -# appended to the name, where # is the consecutive number of the file being output.
The file name extension remains as .NC
For example if the CNC file name is:
Bracket left side-Rev3.nc
then additional CNC files would be
Bracket left side-Rev3-1.nc
Bracket left side-Rev3-2.nc...
If the output is directed to a disk which does not support long file names then:
Bracket left side-Rev3.nc, becomes
Bracket .nc
Bracke-1.nc
Bracke-2 .nc...
Up to 99 files may be created.
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%DATA
You may need to use a logic loop to access a numeric value. The most common example is that of spindle
speed codes on an NC control which need to be output.
%DATA consists of two lists of values that have a fixed sequential relationship. The %DATA statements can
appear anywhere in the text file except within Macros, Procedures or the Format table. They are usually placed
at the top of the file immediately after the variable declarations, and before the %MACHINE statement.
These values are available within any macro or procedure in the form of an array.
An example of the use of %DATA is:
%DATA1=10,33,45,57,67,87,102,121, ;Speeds
%DATA2=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, ;Speed codes
...
...
...
...
%MACRO=15=TL=Toolchange=8,47,48,
%CALL=SPEED ;Call process to calculate speed code
...
%ENDM
...
...
%PROCEDURE=SPEED
#LOOP=1 @LOOP ;SPEED CODE LOOP
%IF NEXTSPEED=121 %THEN #SPEED=8:%GOTO @ELOOP
%IF DATA1(#LOOP)=NEXTSPEED %THEN %GOTO @ELOOP
#SPEED=DATA2(#LOOP)
#LOOP=#LOOP+1
%GOTO @LOOP
@ELOOP
%ENDM
The value referenced by DATA1(4) (where #LOOP=4) will be 57, and correspondingly DATA2(4) will be 4.
Note that six data arrays are allowed, %DATA1 to %DATA6.
See Also
Limitations and Requirements
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Limitations and Requirements

Values must be integers between -32767 and 32767.
There may only be 100 values per %DATA statement and a maximum of six %DATA statements in a
source file.
Assignment of data variables is not supported, for example DATA1(10)=#Fred is not allowed.
DATA statements need not appear in order, or even together.
If the DATA declaration exceeds one line it may be continued on the following line, for example:
%DATA1=1,2,3,4
,5,6,7,8
,9,10,
That is, if the first character of the next line is a space, comma or numeric then it is assumed to be part of the
preceding %DATA statement.
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User Data Array

A one-dimensional array UARRAY1(#) is available and can be used to store and retrieve numerical data.
Syntax
Assign Value
UARRAY1(1)=23.6 or UARRAY1(#COUNTER)=#SPEED
Retrieve Value
#SPEED=UARRAY1(1) or #SPEED= UARRAY1(#COUNTER)
It is also possible to read from or write to the Drill array, but if a Hole cycle is used the stored values will be lost.
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SUBFUNCT
Within macros the system variable SUBFUNCT may be set by Edgecam to known values so that decisions can
be made within the macro based upon a number of methods.
See Also
Multi Selection Choice
Accessing Tool Used Data
Accessing CPL Data
Accessing Retrospective Manipulation Commands
Accessing Cutting Conditions
Controlling Cutter Compensation in Milling and Wire EDM
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Multi Selection Choice

SUBFUNCT is used to obtain the result from the selection choice of a Code Generator-defined macro.
In this case SUBFUNCT is set to 1, 2 or 3 for Coolant Mist, Flood and Off respectively:
%MACRO=104=..=Coolant==Mist/Flood/Off
More than three options may be specified, except for the Compensation macro, where the maximum is four in
turning and three in milling.
The macro name (in this case Coolant) should be a maximum of 25 characters long.
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Accessing Tool Used Data

Obtain data for the current tool, use SUBFUNCT in conjunction with the %LOAD statement.
For details of the %LOAD statement see %LOAD section.
For example:
%MACRO=15=..=TOOLCHANGE=8,47,48,
%LOAD=SUBFUNCT
...
...
The data available for the current tool selected is now available using the standard system variables.
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Accessing CPL Data

SUBFUNCT is used in conjunction with %GETCPL to obtain positional and rotational information about a CPL.
For example:
%MACRO=43=..=INDEX PALLET=57,
%GETCPL=SUBFUNCT
...
This will make available via system variables the relevant data about the current CPL.
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Accessing Retrospective Manipulation Commands

The commands translate, rotate and mirror are related to the SUBFUNCT values 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
After the retrospective macros have been completed the processing will be passed to the RESET macro, by
testing the value of SUBFUNCT, the axis positions can be corrected.
For example:
%MACRO=RESET
...
%IF SUBFUNCT=3 %THEN %CALL=MIRROR_RESET
...
...
%ENDM
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Accessing Cutting Conditions

The macros Rough Turn and Simple Turn assign the system variable SUBFUNCT the tool drive and cut
condition number.
Testing SUBFUNCT will yield a value within the range of 0 to 8. The value is directly related to the 'white
arrows' in the machining module:
A value of 0 implies that the toolpath generated did not match any of the possible canned cycles. In this case
%NOCYCLE should be used.
For example:
%MACRO=3=..=Simple turning cycle=1,2,5,7,10,21,
%IF MASK=1...
%IF SUBFUNCT=0 %THEN %NOCYCLE ;not a valid cutting condition so
;expand using FE, RA and CIRCLE
%IF PATHTRACE=1 %THEN %NOCYCLE;expand using FE, RE and CIRCLE
%IF SUBFUNCT=2 @FACE
@TURN
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%IF XMOVE=#XLAST @END

#BNUM=...
<[...][...][...]>
#XLAST=XMOVE ; save current X position
@FACE
%IF ZMOVE=#ZLAST @END
#BNUM=...
<[...][...][...]>
#ZLAST=ZMOVE
@END
%ENDM
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Controlling Cutter Compensation in Milling and Wire EDM

It is possible to test against SUBFUNCT in the Feed, CLW and CCLW macros to determine if the move is a
profile cycle lead in or lead out move.
SUBFUNCT
0 = Not a lead move
1 = Lead in move
2 = Lead out move
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User Defined Variable #FUNNY

The output within a line of CNC code of a particular variable may be temporarily inhibited by value assignment
(by convention, a user-defined variable called #FUNNY).
#FUNNY has a specific value and is beyond the practical output of the Code Generator and must be set in the
start macro, as follows:
%MACRO=START
...
...
#FUNNY=9989999000000
...
...
%ENDM
It is also necessary to declare #FUNNY in the declaration table.
For example, to enable a Block Delete character '/' at the beginning of CNC lines via a user defined macro:
...
N0100X10Y10
(BLOCK DELETE ON)
/N0110X15Y25
(BLOCK DELETE OFF)
N0120X50Y30
...
The user defined macro will be for this example:
%MACRO=148=..=Block delete==Off/On
%IF SUBFUNCT=2 %THEN #DELETE=0 %ELSE #DELETE=#FUNNY
%ENDM
Each CNC output line will begin:
<[#DELETE=23][#BNUM=20]....>
The entry in the format table will control the output of '/' followed by no value:
/,0,0,0,0,0,0, 23 BLOCK DELETE
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%LOAD
%LOAD={variable}
This is designed to allow the 'loading' of tooling information at any point within any Macro or Procedure. The
{variable} allows incrementing of a counter so that the information for all tools used during the last work session
can be examined.
For example:
...
#HEADER=1
@RELOAD
%LOAD=#HEADER
#BNUM=+#BNUMVAR: <[#BNUM=20][POSITION=10]>
#HEADER=#HEADER+1
%IF #HEADER < NUMTOOLS %THEN %GOTO @RELOAD
...
This will load the system variable POSITION with the turret number entered for each tool used. This is usually
set up within the START macro to display a complete list of all the tooling information used for each machining
file.
%LOAD is also used at Toolchange to load the information required for the CNC output:
%MACRO=15=..=Toolchange=8,47,48,15,
...
#TOOLINFO=SUBFUNCT: #TOOLINFO=#TOOLINFO+1
; access next tool and hold
%LOAD=#TOOLINFO: #NEXTOOL=POSITION
%IF SUBFUNCT=NUMTOOLS %THEN #TOOLINFO=1
; reload first tool for preselect if on last toolchange
%LOAD=#TOOLINFO: #NEXTOOL=POSITION
; reload current tooling values
%LOAD=SUBFUNCT
...
%ENDM
SUBFUNCT at Toolchange is always set to the correct value to allow access to the current tooling information.
Therefore the logic above will load the next tool's turret position for pre-selection and then reload the current
information.
When %LOAD is used the user variables defined for the toolchange macro will also be set with the values
given in Edgecam.
USERVAR1 to USERVAR5
Note that the content of these variables is dependent on the Code Generator file content.
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%GETCPL
%GETCPL={variable}
This directive is designed to allow access to co-ordinate and rotational information attached to a CPL at any
point within any macro or procedure. The {variable} allows incrementing a counter so that information about all
CPLs used can be extracted. By setting %GETCPL = SUBFUNCT the current information is loaded.
List of variables affected:
INDEX
= Pallet angle position
GROUPDESCRIPTION
= CPL name
STYPE
= Coord shift type ABS = 1 INC = 0
ROT1
= Primary angle
ROT2
= Secondary angle
XSUB*
= Absolute X datum origin
YSUB*
= Absolute Y datum origin
ZSUB*
= Absolute Z datum origin
SYSID
= Unique coord system identifier
DIRECTION
= Index direction
SUBFUNCT
= Current CPL pointer ( used with %GETCPL )
SFMOD
= Defines rotary axis, 1=X axis, 2=Y axis, 3=Z axis
* The system variables XSUB, YSUB and ZSUB (not #XSUB etc) contain the current position from world origin,
in current coordinates.
For example:
#POINTER=0
@AGAIN
#POINTER=#POINTER+1
%GETCPL=#POINTER
%IF SYSID=#FUNNY @BREAKOUT
<[GROUPDESCRIPTION=10] [XSUB=0] [YSUB=1] [ZSUB=2] [ROT1=27] [ROT2=9] [SYSID=22]>
%GOTO @AGAIN
@BREAKOUT
This example will loop through all selected CPLs and output their relevant X, Y and Z values (where reference
to the format table is suitable for debug).
Once all the selected CPLs have been processed, the system variable SYSID is set to #FUNNY and the loop is
terminated.
%MACRO=43=..=Index=57,
%IF MASK=1 %THEN #BNUMVAR=0 %ELSE #BNUMVAR=#BNUMINC
%GETCPL=SUBFUNCT
#AMOVE=ROT1
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#BMOVE=ROT2
<[#AMOVE=32][#BMOVE=33]>
; Load current CPL information so as
; to output new index position
...
...
%MACRO=48=DS=DATUM SHIFT
%GETCPL=SUBFUNCT
...
...
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%PROCEDURE and %CALL

The same routine may often be required by more than one macro within a source file. To reduce the size of the
source text file it is more efficient to hold the common cycle in a separate macro definition, analogous to a
subroutine, and then 'call' it as and when required.
The macro which holds the common code is called a PROCEDURE, the structure being similar to a macro.
For example:
%PROCEDURE=HOLD
#XHOLD=#XMOVE:#YHOLD=#YMOVE:#ZHOLD=#ZMOVE
%ENDM
A PROCEDURE can be called from within any other macro or procedure, the syntax being as follows:
%MACRO=...
...
...
%CALL=HOLD
...
%ENDM
A macro cannot be called from within a macro or procedure.
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Array Expansions
Data within Edgecam machining is sometimes held in the form of an array. This data may be accessed by
setting up a loop to interrogate the array.
An example is the XY co-ordinates of a drill pattern:
XPOINT(#)
YPOINT(#)
where # is a numeric variable. It operates as follows:
XPOINT(1) holds the X co-ordinate of the first hole, YPOINT(1) holds the Y co-ordinate of the first hole in the
drill pattern.
Turn profiles are also held in the XPOINT(), YPOINT() array. A third element, RADIUS(), is also set up, and this
will be non-zero if this point refers to an arc centre. The radius value is signed (+'ve is counterclockwise and 've is clockwise).
UV Wire Profiles and Thread Milling information also use this array. See the relevant machining discipline
section for more information.
When you need to output the pattern co-ordinates, increment through the array and output the values held
within the array. The expansion is terminated by testing a System Variable LAST which is set to the number of
co-ordinates in the pattern.
For example:
%PROCEDURE=LOOPEXPAND
#LOOP=2 ;DRILL REST FROM COORD TWO
@LOOP
%IF #LOOP>LAST %THEN %GOTO @ENDLOOP
#BNUM=+#BNUMVAR: #XMOVE=XPOINT(#LOOP): #YMOVE=YPOINT(#LOOP)
<[#DELETE=24][#BNUM=20] [#XMOVE=0][#YMOVE=1]>
#LOOP=#LOOP+1
%GOTO @LOOP
@ENDLOOP
#BNUM=+#BNUMVAR:#GCODE=80
<[#DELETE=24][#BNUM=20] [#GCODE=19]>
%CALL=HOLD ;STORE CURRENT AXIS POSITION
%ENDM
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XYZ Array for Drilling in Different Environments

The hole cycles use an array to hold the co-ordinates of the selected points.
The following table shows what the values represent within different environments and modes:
Milling
Planar
XPOINT() = X co-ordinate
YPOINT() = Y co-ordinate
ZPOINT() = ZLEVEL (Multi-level only) or #FUNNY
MZDEPTH()= Z drilling depth
MRPLANE()= Retract plane
Rotary Radial
XPOINT() = X or Y co-ordinate dependent on machine

config.
YPOINT() = Angular position
ZPOINT() = Not used
Rotary Axial
ZPOINT() = Not used
When axially machining, the co-ordinates are always Cartesian for both rotary and planar modes.
Turning
Rotary Radial
XPOINT() = Z co-ordinate
YPOINT() = Angular position (C)
ZPOINT() = Not used
Planar Radial
XPOINT() = Z co-ordinate
ZPOINT() = Not used
Planar/ Rotary
Axial
ZPOINT() = ZLEVEL (Multi-level only) or #FUNNY
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When axially machining, the co-ordinates are always Cartesian for both rotary and planar modes.
Multi-level drilling is available in axial and B-axis orientation where supported by the Code Generator file.
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%NOCYCLE
The statement is used to force longhand output of CNC. The command can force output of the following types
of code:
Generation of rapid, feed, clockwise and counterclockwise moves instead of controller canned cycles.
The expansion of retrospective operations to full CNC code instead of utilising controller canned cycles
The executive modifier 'Canned Cycle' sets the value of the system variable PATHTRACE, the selection of
'Pathtrace' or 'Controller' will result in 1 or 0 respectively.
The variable PATHTRACE can be tested to conditionally execute the command %NOCYCLE.
The action of %NOCYCLE is to exit the macro definition, immediately passing the axis moves to the Feed,
Rapid and Circle macros (CLW, CCLW).
For example:
%MACRO=32=TR=Translate=43,44,45,14,26,37,21,
*
%IF PATHTRACE=Y %THEN %NOCYCLE ; redirect through Rapid, Feed
* ; and CLW, CCLW macros
*
*
%IF MASK=1 %THEN ...
#XSUB=...
#YSUB=...
#BNUM=+#BNUMVAR:<[...] [...]>
#BNUM=+#BNUMVAR: <[...] [...]>
#BNUM=+#BNUMVAR:<[...] [...]>
%ENDM
See Also
System Variable NOCYCLE
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System Variable NOCYCLE

Redirection by the %NOCYCLE statement can be verified by testing the system variable NOCYCLE.
NOCYCLE set to 1 indicates redirection. While NOCYCLE set to 0 indicates no redirection has occurred.
%NOCYCLE has no function within the Wire Erosion module. See Wire Notes for explanation of
equivalent functionality.
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%SUBROUTINE
The statement defines the output position of controller subroutines. A controller subroutine is defined as a
sequence of blocks customising repeated machining cycles that can be called from a main program.
The macro Code Generator supports the output of subroutines in all the machining modules.
Nested controller subroutines are fully supported within the Edgecam Code Generator, and therefore care
should be taken to ensure that the controller is also capable of nesting.
If nested subroutines occur and are not supported by the controller, you may want to add tests to the Code
Generator to output error messages.
A typical test is as follows:
(In start macro )
#NESTED=0
(In macros SUBSTART and CYCLSUB)
#NESTED=#NESTED+1
%IF #NESTED > 1 %THEN <ERROR:NESTING OF SUBS
NOT POSSIBLE ON THIS CONTROL -USE PATHTRACE CYCLES>
(In macro SUBEND)
#NESTED = #NESTED -1
(#NESTED will always return the current level of subroutine nesting if used in this way).
%SUBROUTINE may not appear more than once and must only be defined within the macros as listed below.
The position of %SUBROUTINE within the source file governs the output position of the controller subroutines.
The following rules apply to the relevant positional definitions:
%MACRO=START
...
...
%SUBROUTINE
...
...
%ENDM
Controller subroutines output as the start of the CNC code:
%MACRO=END
...
...
%SUBROUTINE
...
...
%ENDM
Controller subroutines output as the end of the CNC code.
No occurrence of %SUBROUTINE. The subroutine will be output as the subroutines occur in the machining file
and nesting of subroutines will not be accepted by the controller.
See Also
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MASK
Macro Definitions Related to Controller Subroutines
Controller Subroutine Calls by Block Number
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Macro Definitions Related to Controller Subroutines

%MACRO=SUBSTART
SUBSTART should contain the CNC code which defines the controller subroutine starting blocks. The system
variable SUBROUTINE is available for controller subroutine number identification.
%MACRO=SUBEND
SUBEND should contain the CNC code which defines the controller subroutine terminating blocks.
%MACRO=SUBCALL
SUBCALL should contain the CNC code which defines the controller subroutine call blocks.
%MACRO=CYCLSUB
CYCLSUB is called when subroutines can be output during drilling, tapping, reaming and boring. The macro
definition should contain the following CNC code:
1. Controller subroutine start definition

2. Macro statements to expand arrays (see array expansion)
3. Controller subroutine end definition
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Controller Subroutine Calls by Block Number

CNC controllers which call subroutines by block number references are supported by use of the pseudo system
variables STARTSUB and ENDSUB. STARTSUB and ENDSUB should only contain block numbers.
The assignment of STARTSUB and ENDSUB should be in the SUBSTART and SUBEND macro definition
respectively.
If used, these variables must be set to zero in the start macro. If not used, processing will be noticeably faster.
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Notes on Translate Command

Here are some details on the way the Translate command works, particularly for controller subroutines.
Translated moves
Edgecam translates the toolpath as represented by move end points within the designated labels. From a
machine tool point of view the "Start" of a sub-routine is, therefore, the End of the move leading to that first
endpoint. Slightly different results will be seen depending on the type of move. A direct rapid or feed move will
result in its end point being the subroutine start and the move will effectively be "lost" in repeats of the
subroutine. A 2D rapid, doglegged, move (e.g. XY and then Z) will give the dogleg point as subroutine start and
only the first segment or the move will be lost.
Note that the graphics often show an apparent dogleg when resolved rapids are not used. This intermediate
points does not exist on the NC data - it is purely for visualisation purposes - and will not be used as a start
point.
Good practice
For safety reasons, subroutines should always start and finish at a safe clearance height. If this practice is
followed then the link moves between subroutines can be expected to also be at the safe height. The
subroutine should always include the liftout move at the end of a cut.
A specific move to a point near to the required start of the subroutine before defining the subroutine is
recommended. This is generally preferable to making a move direct from, say, toolchange and relying on the
2D rapid's dogleg to be the start point. If the machine tool movements are not exactly as represented on screen
then this will minimise the discrepancy.
Code Generators
There are some system variables that pass the subroutine start point:
In macros TRANSLATE and RESET, the variables XEND, YEND, ZEND now represent the end of any
approach move and thus the start of the subroutine.
In macros SUBSTART and SUBCALL, the existing variables NEXTXMOVE, NEXTYMOVE,
NEXTZMOVE can be used.
The TRANSLATE Macro (No. 32) should now use XEND etc. as subroutine start point instead of XSUB
etc. Rapid approach moves to this point should be output.
The SUBSTART Macro (No. 55 ) should use NEXTXMOVE etc. as a "HOLD" point for calculation of
incremental moves.
The SUBCALL Macro (No. ) should include a rapid approach move to NEXTXMOVE etc.
There is logic within the Code Wizard templates to determine whether to use the Rapid or Translate code
constructors, and G90/91 blocks will only be output by subroutine start and end if they are required. This is
within the default sequence of the code constructors.
Note that the exact action of a machine tool running controller cycles is beyond the control of Edgecam, so you
must ensure that code generators are correctly configured and that the on-screen representation closely
matches the actions of controllers.
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MASK
The MASK command is used to control output of data to the NC file. Setting it to 0 or 1 allows or prevents
output during processing:
MASK = 0
allows output as normal
MASK = 1
prevents output
MASK is used in the processing of the machining data file to CNC output code which utilises controller
subroutine calls. Examining MASK allows for the maintaining of block numbers and system variables during
multiple pass processing.
EG. %IF MASK=1 %THEN #BNUMVAR=0 %ELSE #BNUMVAR=10
See Also
Simple Usage of MASK
Complex Usage of MASK
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Simple Usage of MASK

Typical CNC output required:
...
L1
Subroutine Definition
L2
Punch Component
L3
Pause
L4
Axis movement
L5
End of Definition
L6
...
L7
...
L8
Start of main code
L9
Axis movement
L10
Call Subroutine - 20 times
L11
End of code
The example will reduce the amount of output code required, but for full simulation the full graphical axes
movement is required to be output.
Therefore the graphics display will be as below:
Previous axis movement
...
O1 Axis movement
O2 Punch Component
O3 Axes movement
O4 Punch Component
O5 Axis movement
etc....
O36 Punch and move 17 times more ...
O37 ...
O38 End of Code
As can be seen in the example, the length of code generated would be of greatly differing lengths, and so by
the same definition the block numbers would also be different.
MASK and multi-processing of the machining file overcomes the block numbering problem. To explain MASK in
the outputting of L1 - L11 using the machining input data 1 - 038, MASK will be set to 0 to output the subroutine
definition, and to 1 to simulate the main CNC code.
The code is then processed again with MASK set to 1 during the subroutine definition and calls, but toggling to
0 to output the main CNC code.
Therefore, by testing the value of MASK, the block number sequence can be maintained correctly.
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Complex Usage of MASK

The first complex use of MASK is when the controller subroutines are to be output at the start or end of the
CNC code.
The output of the main CNC code and the subroutines is governed by the %SUBROUTINE statement.
The machining data file will be scanned to obtain all the subroutine definitions, and output, if required, with
MASK set to 0. The data file is then scanned again with MASK set to 1 in the main CNC code, but toggling
MASK to 0 when calling the subroutines.
The second complex use of MASK is when subroutines call other subroutines.
The data file is scanned to output the subroutine, MASK set to 0, and as the call to the next subroutine occurs
MASK toggles to 1. After the completion of the subroutine MASK is toggled back to 0 and the calling subroutine
definition is completed.
Subroutine at start
Subroutine at end
1st Pass
2nd Pass
1st Pass
2nd Pass
Main Code
MASK=1
MASK=0
MASK=0
MASK=1
Subroutine
MASK=0
MASK=1
MASK=1
MASK=0
Main Code
MASK=1
MASK=0
MASK=0
MASK=1
Processing
The data file is totally rescanned to output the lower subroutine with MASK set to 1 where output has been
made, and toggled to give output as required.
See Also
%SUBROUTINE
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Circle Programming
As circular interpolation which ranges over one or more quadrant is not available on all machine tool control
systems, the statement CIRCLE is available to output either full circle or quadrant programming.
Variable CIRCLE can be assigned the values:
1
CIRCLE=1
quadrant programming
CIRCLE=0
full circle programming
The statement should be placed in the START macro, but can be altered at any time if output needs to be
switched between single and multi quadrant output.
A circular move of 360 is therefore processed by either calling the circular macros once or four times as
appropriate to the CIRCLE definition.
Edgecam can also output plane switching arcs in both the ZX and ZY planes. The system variable
TRUEARCOP may be set to control output between true arc co-ordinates and fixed XYZ co-ordinates. The
differences in the system variables as set up are illustrated in the table below. If plane switched arcs are not
supported, the arcs are broken down into linear movements.
TRUEARCOP
XYARCS
0 (Milling default)
1 (Turning default)
XSTART, YSTART,
XSTART, YSTART,
XCENTRE, YCENTRE,
XCENTRE, YCENTRE,
XEND, YEND
XEND, YEND
ZXARCS
ZSTART, XSTART,
ZCENTRE, XCENTRE,
ZEND, XEND
ZYARCS
ZSTART, YSTART,
ZCENTRE, YCENTRE,
ZEND, YEND
The system variable XYPLANE is set as 0, 1 and 2 for XY, ZX and ZY respectively when processing arcs.
See also:
Arc Bulge when using Radius NC Output
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Arc Bulge when using Radius NC Output

Two system variables control arc bulging when using circular interpolation defined by a radius - see below.
When an arc is bulging more than the specified resolution the Arc is automatically output in two sections.
Variable
Explanation
NOBULGECORRECTION
0 = Bulge correction enabled

1 = Bugle correction disabled
When not specified the option is enabled. This means existing Code
Generators will be enabled.
The system variable should be set in the START macro.
Bulge correction is NOT required if the circular interpolation format uses
arc centre (I J K) or the Controller is set to single quadrant.
RESOLUTION
Specify the resolution of the Controller. This used for the bulge
calculation error check.
The system variable should be set in the START macro.
%MACRO=START
NOBULGECORRECTION=0
; 0=Bulge correction On
%IF UNIT=0 %THEN RESOLUTION=0.0001 %ELSE RESOLUTION=0.001

The reason for the error is that the arc radius and start
and end points have to be rounded to the limit set by the
controller, which can cause an error of up to 0.0005mm
for controllers with a limit of 3 decimal places. There is a
similar effect on Inch parts, but to 4 decimal places. The
worst case is when the start and end points have been
rounded down so they are closer together and the radius
is rounded up. This very small change is enough to make
the arc bulge outwards by an amount far exceeding the
specified tolerance.
A rounding error
of 0.0005mm can
cause the arc to
bulge by up to
0.317mm on a
50mm radius.
The opposite effect can also occur where the end point is
further away than the arc radius. In this case the
controller appears to still try and cut the arc, but we
suspect this causes the arc to be too shallow. The
rounding by Edgecam is mathematically correct and the
error is inherent in the method used by the G2/G3 R
construction of arcs and limit of 3 decimal places. The
error is most commonly seen on circular Bosses or
pockets, which have a tapered wall. As the arc radius
changes size down the wall, the rounding varies slightly
the effect can be easily seen at some levels as a dig
inwards or a bulge.
This type of error can occur in 2D, contour or the Profiling cycle. The error is more noticeable when machining
a with contour wall or 3D shape as the amount of error changes down the part, as shown in this side view of
NC toolpath files containing Arcs:
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The system variable PRECISION affects these areas:
%OUTPUT-IF-CHANGED
%IF= and %IF<>
PRECISION sets the accuracy when using the directive %OUTPUT-IF-CHANGED or when testing the
difference between two values. If the difference is less than or equal to the PRECISION value, the values are
treated as being equal.
Setting the PRECISION value
The format is:
PRECISION=value
For example,
%IF UNIT=1 %THEN PRECISION=0.001 %ELSE PRECISION=0.0001
PRECISION can only be set in the START macro and will not take effect until the START macro has finished.
If the PRECISION value is not set, the system assumes these values:
UNIT=0 (inches)
PRECISION=0.0001
UNIT=1 (metric)
PRECISION=0.001
Example of using %OUTPUT-IF-CHANGED

Output Value
Variable Value
* PRECISION=0.00001
N20 X20.0 Z10.0
(XMOVE=20.0)
N30 X20.0 Z0.0
(XMOVE=20.0001)
In this example, the X value has been output twice because the %OUTPUT-IF-CHANGED directive considers
the change in the X value to be different, but the output value appears the same because the format table has
rounded the value down to three decimal places (for the sake of the example).
* PRECISION=0.001
N20 X20.0 Z10.0
(XMOVE=20.0)
N30 Z0.0
(XMOVE=20.0001)
In this example, the X value has been suppressed because the %OUTPUT-IF-CHANGED directive considers
the change in the X value to be the same, because the difference is less than the PRECISION.
Example of using %IF
#XHOLD=20:#XMOVE=20.0001
%IF #XMOVE=#XHOLD @SKIP
If PRECISION has been set to 0.01, the statement above would pass the test (and GOTO the skip label) as the
difference between the values is less than the PRECISION. If PRECISION=0.00001, the statement would fail
and the GOTO would be ignored.
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Debugging
The system variable MACRONAMEOP can be set so the name of each macro processed is output to the CNC
file. The statement MACRONAMEOP = [value] is normally included within the start macro.
Valid settings are:
0 = No debug output
1 = All macro executions output to CNC file.
2 = Macro names output only if MASK=0 (that is, CNC output turned on).
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Silent Output
The system variable SILENT can be set to inhibit output of CNC code to the screen. This will increase the
speed of code generating. A status message is displayed every 100 lines of output if silent output mode is
selected.
Valid settings are:
0 = Output to screen
1 = Inhibit output
The following lines included within the start macro. These allow this mode to be selected interactively when
generating CNC code. SILENT defaults to 0.
%OPTIONS=SILENTMODEÔNÔFF=SILENT
%IF $SILENT=Y %THEN SILENT=1
$SILENT must be declared in a %DECLARE statement.
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Textcase
The system variable TEXTCASE provides the option of formatting the output so that comments, file name and
any ASCII text characters will be output as uppercase text. This is useful as some machines must have all text
as uppercase characters, otherwise the machine ignores the character.
Valid settings are:
1 = Will convert all text string to uppercase.
2 = Will convert all text strings to lowercase.
Note that word letter addresses output from Format Table are not converted. If NC code is written as text
strings in output blocks (or Code Wizard code constructors) those strings will be converted by TEXTCASE.
Any other value for TEXTCASE will result in the text being left unchanged.
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Matrix Processing
The matrix operation provides a method of producing a series of identical components using one of the
following methods:
1. Full, longhand CNC code - for controllers with no subroutine facilities.

2. Controller subroutines and datum shifts.
Longhand Code
Testing the system variable PATHTRACE (modifier 21) can direct processing through the RAPID, FEED, CLW
and CCLW macros.
PATHTRACE=1 can be interpreted to mean the user has requested to generate longhand code.
Subroutines and Datum Shifts
The testing of the system variable PATHTRACE can cause processing to be directed through the manipulative
macros.
Controller (0) - generate controller subroutines.
Pathtrace (1) - generate longhand code.
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%Output
%OUTPUT controls the output of separate CNC output files (a tooling setup sheet and a main body program).
These files have the same prefix, the - character as a delimiter, and the assigned value of $NAME as a suffix.
To enable the creation of the two files, you must specify the following macro commands in the START macro:
%MACRO=START
... ; output filename="TEST"
APPEND=1 ; enable suffix file creation
$NAME=SETUP ; assign 'SETUP' as suffix to $NAME
%OUTPUT=$NAME ; output to secondary file
... ; direct output to a CNC file
... ; called TEST-SET'
...
...
%OUTPUT=STANDARD ; direct output to standard TEST
... ; filename
...
You can redirect the output at any time by assigning %OUTPUT as either STANDARD or $NAME.
The suffix assignment must only be made once.
Where the files are directed to a disk which cannot support long file names (for example, Novell 3.1) Edgecam
abbreviates the name to fit, by using the first six characters and then adding a dash plus the first character of
the $NAME.
Here are some examples:
Long Filename
Truncated Filename
testcode-setup.nc
testco-s.nc
testcode-1.nc
testco-1.nc
testcode-2.nc
testco-2.nc
testcode-header.nc
testco-h.nc
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Leader
LEADER is NOT a system variable.
The use of LEADER is to output a length of null characters within the output file. The RS232 software interprets
this command during a RS232 communication session.
The statement is a CNC output command therefore the syntax should be as below:
%MACRO=...
...
<LEADER=####>
...
%ENDM
where #### is the number of null characters required to be output.
It should be noted that it is also possible to insert the statement in an output file using the Editor.
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User-Defined System Variables (Q201 - 210)

This set of variables (Q201 to Q210) replaces the set Q67 to Q71; we recommend you use this new set, but the
old set is still available.
Note - You can use a combination of old and new Q vars in one code generator, but not in the same macro.
Q201-205 and Q67-71 both use USERVAR1 to USERVAR5 so you couldn't use these together.
Q201 populates USERVAR1
and so on....
The definition syntax is: Qnnn=_type=description [macro number(s)]
Where _type may be one of the following
"_radio"
"_list"
"_check"
"_$text"
"_real"
,"_int"
"_separator"
For example: Q201=_check=Turret Face [104]
If a "_$text" type is used it will set up USERVARSTRING (this can only be used once per command) but may
be used in more than one macro.
Language Translation is also supported. In this example, string 345 from Ptmach.Txt will be used as the
modifier name:
Q202=_check=Through Spindle On [104]
Q203=_int=Tool Length Register [12]
Q207=_list=Output Type^Longhand^Single Block Cycle^Canned Cycle [8]
Q206=_separator=... [15,165,104]
_check variables will be set to 1 if the box is checked.
_list and _radio variables will be set to a number corresponding with the position in the defined list of the
selected item.
_int _real and _$text variables will be set to the entered value
If you are adding one of these to an existing executive macro, check in the edgekrnl.cmd that the command in
question does not already use the modifier ID you want to use - some commands use modifier numbers 200
upwards already.
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Format Table
When numeric variables (either system- or user-defined) are output as part of a line of CNC code, the post
must be instructed to format the number in terms of the letter address, leading zeros, trailing zeros etc., for
both millimetre and inch programs.
When a numeric variable is to be output as CNC code, a format table number is associated with it and the
numeric value associated with that variable name will be formatted as the line definition.
The first line after the %FORMAT is numbered zero, the next line is 1, and so on until the %ENDF statement.
An example format table follows:
%FORMAT ;Inch MM
Comments
X,3,4,128,4,3,128,0
X MOVE
Y,3,4,128,4,3,128,
Y MOVE
I,3,4,128,4,3,128,
I MOVE
J,3,4,128,4,3,128,
J MOVE
R,3,4,128,4,3,128,
R MOVE
G,2,0,1,2,0,1,
GCODE
N,5,0,0,5,0,0,
BLOCK NUMBER
%ENDF
The table must start with the line '%FORMAT' and the lines following must be in the order shown. Each line in
the table must contain seven entries followed by commas. Each entry has the following function:
Order
Line
Function
Letter Address Code
Character(s) which will precede the

numeric value when formatted.
Significant Digits
Number of significant digits before

the decimal point for Inch CNC format.
Decimal Places
Number of places after the decimal

point for Inch CNC format.
Control Code
Control code required for Inch CNC

format (see below).
Significant Digits
Number of significant digits before

the decimal point for Millimetre CNC format.
Decimal Places
Number of places after the decimal point

for Millimetre CNC format.
Control Code
Control code required for Millimetre CNC

format (see below).
Edgecam User Guide
103
The control code is crucial to controlling the format of a number in a CNC program. The code is made up by
adding together the control values from this table:
Control Value
Control Function
Leading zeros required
Leading blanks required
Trailing zeros required
Trailing blanks required
16
No decimal point must be present
32
Use ',' instead of '.'
64
Force '.' on end of integers (whole numbers)
128
Force '.0' on end of integers
256
Force '+' on front of positive numbers
512
Force '0.' on front of numbers between -1 and

+1
1024
Right fill with spaces to a total width of five
2048
Right fill with spaces to width of ten
The following examples show the result of different control codes:
Format Table
Number
CNC Code
X,3,3,128,3,3,128
X2.0
2.125
X2.125
.25
X.25
Y2.0
2.125
Y2.125
25
Y25.0
I2.
2.125
I2.125
25
I25.
J000200
2.125
J000212
25
J002500
Y,3,3,128,3,3,128
I,4,3,64,4,3,64
J,4,2,21,4,2,21
Edgecam User Guide
104
The format table must end with the line '%ENDF'.

An example of format table implementation is below
%MACRO=1=FE=...
...
...
#BNUM=+#BNUMVAR:#XMOVE=XMOVE:#YMOVE=YMOVE:#GCODE=1
...
<[#BNUM=7] [#GCODE=6][#XMOVE=0][#YMOVE=1]>
...
%ENDM
This would output the following type of code:
N110 G01X25.352Y-42.1
Edgecam User Guide
105
Numeric System Variables by Number

1XSTART
4YCENTRE
8XMOVE
12XHOME
15XTOOL
18TOOLNUM
21ZCLEAR
24SPEED
28FPECK
31RPLANE
34XSUB
38YINC
42NEXTOOL
45ZEND
48TOOLWIDTH
51TOOLUNIT
54TOOLTYPE
57ZSAFE
60OFFSETX
63STCOMMAND
66ZSTARTPOS
69 XCURRENTPOS
72FEEDTYPE
75NEXTCOMP
78NEXTOOLPOS
81FEED
85NEXTXYFEED
88XMAX
91NEXTZMOVE
94dummy
97CMOVE
100MASK
103NUMTOOLS
106STEP
109YDELTA
113XSHEET
116OFFSET
119ROWPRIORITY
122MAXRAPID
125TZMAX
128MACHTIME1
131IDLE2
134YSTEP
137TLYLEN
140ZHOME1
143QUADRANT
146USERVAR2
149USERVAR5
152PECKRETRACT
155RSTART
158CEND
161NUMCHARS
164VMOVE
167TOLERANCE
2YSTART
5RADIUS
9YMOVE
13YHOME
16YTOOL
19TOOLRAD
22XYFEED
25LAST
29DEGR
32IPLANE
35YSUB
39ZINC
43ZSTART
46TOOLXSET
49TOOLANGLE
52TOOLANGLE1
55NEXTYMOVE
58PITCH
61NEXTMACRO
64ENCOMMAND
67XENDPOS
70 ZCURRENTPOS
73NEXTSPEED
76NEXTCSS
79STARTSUB
82CSS
86NEXTZFEED
89NEXTGEAR
92TOOLCHANGE
95ZLEVEL
98TOTDEPTH
101NEXTARC
104SFMOD
107STANGLE
110XREP
114YSHEET
117LEFTRIGHT
120MAXFEED
123TXMAX
126ZTOOL1
129MACHTIME2
132YMAX
135ORIENTATE
138PUNCHMODE
141XHOME1
144INDEX
147USERVAR3
150YDATUM
153CONTMATRIX
156CCENTRE
159REND
162CAXIS
165WMOVE
168dummy
Edgecam User Guide
3XCENTRE
6XEND
7YEND
10ZMOVE
11UNIT
14ZHOME
17ZTOOL
20TOOLEN
23ZFEED
26CIRCLE
27ZDEPTH
30DWELL
33SUBROUTINE
36ZSUB
37XINC
40REPEAT
41POSITION
44ZCENTRE
47TOOLZSET
50TURRET
53TOOLANGLE2
56XSAFE
59OFFSETZ
62PATHTRACE
65XSTARTPOS
68ZENDPOS
71 TOTALDEPTH
74NEXTFEED
77DEPTH
80ENDSUB
83COMP
84DIRECTION
87ZMAX
90NEXTXMOVE
93SUBFUNCT
96RMOVE
99NEXTOOLLEN
102DRILLSUB
105ANGLE
108XDELTA
111YREP
112PIP
115PASS
118LACECUT
121MAXRPM
124TYMAX
127XTOOL1
130IDLE1
133FPASS
136TLXLEN
139ZSHEET
142NUMTOOLS1
145USERVAR1
148USERVAR4
151XDATUM
154CSTART
157RCENTRE
160NUMBLOCKS
163UMOVE
166PRECISION
169SCALE
106
170THICKNESS
171XYPLANE
172UVPLANE
173LOWERWIRE
174UPPERWIRE
175WIREDIAM
176FIELD1
177FIELD2
178FIELD3
179FIELD4
180FIELD5
181FIELD6
182FIELD7
183FIELD8
184FIELD9
185FIELD10
186FIELD11
187FIELD12
188TAPERTYPE1
189TAPERTYPE2
190TAPER1
191TAPER2
192NEXTXCENTRE
193NEXTYCENTRE
194NEXTRADIUS
195MACRONAMEOP
196APPEND
197CMT1
198CMT2
199LIBTYPE
200USERMATRIX
201CIT1
202CIT2
203NOCYCLE
204ROT1
205ROT2
206WRAPRADIUS
207RTYPE
208STYPE
209SYSID
210SILENT
211YGAUGE
212TRUEARCOP
213AMOVE
214BMOVE
215 OUTPUTTOL
216 MAINTAININDEX
217 TOOLOFFSET
218GEAR
219STARTANGLE
220ENDANGLE
221INCANGLE
222SPINDLEID1
223SPINDLEID2
224INDEXID
225SPINDLE
226GEARMAXRPM
227 GEARMINRPM
228 GEARUSERMAXRPM
229 NUMGEARS
230BAXIS
231PRIORITY
232PARTLENGTH
233 MAINPARTSTICKOUT
234 sUBPARTSTICKOUT
235 MAINDATUMTOCHUCKFACE
236 SUBDATUMTOCHUCKFACE
237 MCSUBDATUMX
238 MCSUBDATUMY
239 MCSUBDATUMZ
240DOCKGRIPZ
241MAINSAFEZ
242SUBSAFEZ
243STRATEGY
244USERVAR6
245USERVAR7
246USERVAR8
247USERVAR9
248USERVAR10
249USERVAR11
250USERVAR12
251TEXTCASE
252ZAPPROACH
253XAPPROACH
254XSUBTURN
255YSUBTURN
256ZSUBTURN
257FLUTELENGTH
258PRIORITYMAIN
259PRIORITYSUB
260MILLMODE
261YEAR
262MONTH
263DAY
264 NUMBEROFTURNS
265 GEARCODE
266 SPINDLEUPPER
267 SPINDLELOWER
268 SUBOUTPUTPASS
269 TSTOREUSER1
270 TSTOREUSER2
271 THROUGHCOOLANT
272 ROTSUB
273 XBPIVOTLENGTH
274 ZBPIVOTLENGTH
275 XSCRATCH
276YSCRATCH
277ZSCRATCH
278REACH
279 NOBULGECORRECTION
280 RESOLUTION
281 CORNERRAD
282XCPL
283YCPL
284ZCPL
285INORMAL
286JNORMAL
287KNORMAL
288FIVEAXIS
289WORKDATUMID
290MCOORD
291EULER1
292EULER2
293EULER3
294CPLPLANE
295PIVOT
296GROUPNUMBER
297 IDNUMBER
298 TURRETBANGLE
299 ATCSPINANGLE
Edgecam User Guide
107
Numeric System Variables by Name

AMOVE213
ATCSPINANGLE299
CAXIS162
CIRCLE26
CMOVE97
COMP83
CPLPLANE294
DAY263
DIRECTION84
dummy94
ENCOMMAND64
EULER1291
FEED81
FIELD10185
FIELD2177
FIELD5180
FIELD8183
FLUTELENGTH257
GEAR218
GEARMINRPM 227
GROUPNUMBER296
IDNUMBER297
INDEXID224
JNORMAL286
LAST25
LOWERWIRE173
MACRONAMEOP 195
MAINPARTSTICKOUT 233
MASK100
MAXRPM121
MCSUBDATUMY 238
MONTH262
NEXTCSS76
NEXTMACRO61
NEXTOOLPOS78
NEXTXCENTRE192
NEXTYCENTRE193
NEXTZMOVE 91
NUMBEROFTURNS 264
NUMGEARS229
OFFSET116
ORIENTATE135
PASS115
PIP112
POSITION41
PRIORITYMAIN 258
QUADRANT143
REACH278
RESOLUTION280
ROT2205
RPLANE31
SCALE169
SPEED24
SPINDLEID2 223
ANGLE105
APPEND196
BAXIS230
BMOVE214
CCENTRE156
CEND158
CIT1201
CIT2202
CMT1197
CMT2198
CONTMATRIX153
CORNERRAD281
CSS82
CSTART154
DEGR29
DEPTH77
DOCKGRIPZ240
DRILLSUB102
dummy168
DWELL30
ENDANGLE220
ENDSUB80
EULER2292
EULER3293
FEEDTYPE72
FIELD1176
FIELD11186
FIELD12187
FIELD3178
FIELD4179
FIELD6181
FIELD7182
FIELD9184
FIVEAXIS288
FPASS133
FPECK28
GEARCODE265
GEARMAXRPM226
GEARUSERMAXRPM 228
IDLE1130
IDLE2131
INCANGLE221
INDEX144
INORMAL285
IPLANE32
KNORMAL287
LACECUT118
LEFTRIGHT117
LIBTYPE199
MACHTIME1128
MACHTIME2129
MAINDATUMTOCHUCKFACE 235
MAINSAFEZ 241
MAINTAININDEX 216
MAXFEED120
MAXRAPID122
MCOORD290
MCSUBDATUMX237
MCSUBDATUMZ 239
MILLMODE 260
NEXTARC101
NEXTCOMP75
NEXTFEED74
NEXTGEAR89
NEXTOOL42
NEXTOOLLEN99
NEXTRADIUS194
NEXTSPEED73
NEXTXMOVE90
NEXTXYFEED85
NEXTYMOVE55
NEXTZFEED86
NOBULGECORRECTION 279
NOCYCLE 203
NUMBLOCKS 160
NUMCHARS 161
NUMTOOLS103
NUMTOOLS1142
OFFSETX60
OFFSETZ59
OUTPUTTOL215
PARTLENGTH232
PATHTRACE62
PECKRETRACT152
PITCH58
PIVOT295
PRECISION166
PRIORITY231
PRIORITYSUB 259
PUNCHMODE 138
RADIUS5
RCENTRE157
REND159
REPEAT40
RMOVE96
ROT1204
ROTSUB272
ROWPRIORITY119
RSTART155
RTYPE207
SFMOD104
SILENT210
SPINDLE225
SPINDLEID1222
SPINDLELOWER 267
SPINDLEUPPER 266
Edgecam User Guide
108
STANGLE107
STCOMMAND63
STYPE 208
SUBOUTPUTPASS 268
SUBSAFEZ242
TAPER2191
TEXTCASE 251
TLXLEN136
TOOLANGLE49
TOOLCHANGE92
TOOLOFFSET217
TOOLUNIT51
TOOLZSET47
TRUEARCOP 212
TURRET50
TZMAX125
UPPERWIRE174
USERVAR10248
USERVAR2146
USERVAR5149
USERVAR8246
VMOVE164
WORKDATUMID 289
XBPIVOTLENGTH273
XCURRENTPOS69
XEND6
XHOME1141
XMOVE8
XSCRATCH275
XSTARTPOS65
XTOOL15
XYPLANE171
YDATUM150
YEND7
YINC38
YREP111
YSTART2
YSUBTURN255
ZBPIVOTLENGTH274
ZCPL284
ZEND45
ZHOME14
ZLEVEL95
ZSAFE57
ZSTART43
ZSUBTURN256
STARTANGLE219
STARTSUB79
STEP106
STRATEGY243
SUBDATUMTOCHUCKFACE 236
SUBFUNCT 93
sUBPARTSTICKOUT 234
SUBROUTINE 33
SYSID209
TAPER1190
TAPERTYPE1188
TAPERTYPE2189
THICKNESS 170
THROUGHCOOLANT 271
TLYLEN137
TOLERANCE167
TOOLANGLE152
TOOLANGLE253
TOOLEN20
TOOLNUM18
TOOLRAD19
TOOLTYPE54
TOOLWIDTH48
TOOLXSET46
TOTALDEPTH71
TOTDEPTH98
TSTOREUSER1 269
TSTOREUSER2 270
TXMAX123
TYMAX124
UMOVE163
UNIT11
USERMATRIX200
USERVAR1145
USERVAR11249
USERVAR12250
USERVAR3147
USERVAR4148
USERVAR6244
USERVAR7245
USERVAR9247
UVPLANE172
WIREDIAM175
WMOVE165
WRAPRADIUS 206
XAPPROACH 253
XCENTRE3
XCPL282
XDATUM151
XDELTA108
XENDPOS67
XHOME12
XINC37
XMAX88
XREP110
XSAFE56
XSHEET113
XSTART1
XSUB34
XSUBTURN254
XTOOL1127
XYFEED22
YCENTRE4
YCPL283
YDELTA109
YEAR261
YGAUGE211
YHOME13
YMAX132
YMOVE9
YSCRATCH276
YSHEET114
YSTEP134
YSUB35
YTOOL16
ZAPPROACH252
ZCENTRE44
ZCLEAR21
ZCURRENTPOS70
ZDEPTH27
ZENDPOS68
ZFEED23
ZHOME1140
ZINC39
ZMAX87
ZMOVE10
ZSCRATCH277
ZSHEET139
ZSTARTPOS66
ZSUB36
ZTOOL17
ZTOOL1126
Edgecam User Guide
109
String System Variables

1 USERDEFINEDSTRING 2 TOOLDESCRIPTION
3 GROUPDESCRIPTION
4 TOOLLIBRARY
5 TIME
6 DATE
7 PARTNAME
8 SEQUENCENAME
9 MACHINENAME
10 JOBDESC
11 JOBCOM
12 JOBFAM
13 JOBSTAT
14 JOBMACH
15 JOBCUST
16 JOBPROG
17 JOBMATL
18 JOBREV
19 USERVARSTRING
20 UKDATE
21 STRTSTOREUSER1
22 STRTSTOREUSER2
23 CUSTOMERNAME
24 SERVERCODE
25 GROUPSTRING
26 IDSTRING
27 GROUP
28 ID
Edgecam User Guide
110
Milling Cutter Radius Compensation

Compensation Application/Removal
If a 90 degree, linear only, manual lead has been requested it is extended by the tool radius.
If no lead is specified a 90 degree straight lead will be created. The length will be the tool radius multiplied by
the radius compensation factor.
For all other manual linear leads a move at 90 degrees is appended to the lead. The length of this move is
calculated by multiplying the tool radius by the radius cutter compensation factor stored in the code generator.
For arc and arc/linear combinations a 90 degree move (with the length of the tool radius multiplied by the radius
cutter compensation factor) is appended to the lead.
In all cases these compensation moves are calculated from the nominal offset path to ensure that there is
sufficient movement for the cutter radius compensation to be applied.
End Point Lift Out
The end point of the lead out move has been adjusted to prevent the 3D moves that were previously generated
and to represent more closely the situation on the machine tool.
Code Generators
In order to take advantage of this new compensation logic you have to use the updated milling templates. All
existing code generators will function as previously. A user update on the template will implement these
changes for Code Wizard based code generators.
Custom posts will need minor changes to benefit from this logic:
1. Switch 8 on the MM= definition line must be incremented by 32.

2. Procedure PT=LEAD_OUT must be changed to set #LEADOUTCOUNT=FIELD12
Remaining Potential Issues
In the case of external work where a profile finishes on a sharp corner, controller compensation should always
be used with square corner strategy set. Otherwise, the offset path will add a coupling arc and the
calculated leads for controller and Pathtrace are very different.
In the case of approach moves and intermediate rapid moves generated within a profile cycle Edgecam will
show both the geometry based tool centre line and a nominal offset simulation line. Whilst for FEED moves,
with a nominal cutter radius offset, the tool centre can be expected to follow the simulation line, for RAPID
moves (no compensation) the tool will follow the geometry based line but the screen simulation will, at present,
follow the offset simulation line.
Edgecam User Guide
111
Multilevel Drilling
This section clarifies the role of the Retract option in drilling cycles.
When completing a Hole Cycle dialog you are asked for depth settings of ZLEVEL, RETRACT DISTANCE,
DEPTH and ZCLEAR.
For single level cycles the RETRACT DISTANCE is passed to the Code Generator as a Retract Plane set at
ZLEVEL+RETRACT. If no retract distance is given the Retract Plane defaults to the Clearance Plane Height.
For Multilevel drilling the ZLEVEL is ignored and a RETRACT distance is passed to the Code Generator. If a
RETRACT distance is not stated it defaults to the ZCLEAR height. The Code Generator will then set up a
Retract plane based on the height of the first point and that Retract Distance. For this reason it is
recommended that in Multilevel Drilling a RETRACT distance should always be entered in the dialog.
If any multilevel cycles are to be used it is suggested that for best results all hole cycles with the same tool
should be treated as multilevel. A combination of multilevel and single level cycles with the same tool may not
give the expected NC output.
Edgecam User Guide
112
Milling Modifiers
This table shows the system variable set up for each of the modifiers that may be included in the Code
Generator macro definition line.
Number
Heading
System Variables
Name
GROUPDESCRIPTION
Feedrate
XYFEED
Plunge feed
ZFEED
Speed
SPEED
Tool No.
TOOLNUM
Depth
ZDEPTH
10
Cut increment
DEPTH
12
Offset
OFFSET
13
Side
LEFTRIGHT
14
From
STCOMMAND
15
Comment
USERDEFINEDSTRING
16
%Stepover
STEP
21
Subroutines
PATHTRACE
23
Degression
DEGR
24
Angle
ANGLE
25
Radius
RADIUS
26
To
ENCOMMAND
27
Time
DWELL
28
Clear
ZCLEAR
29
Retract
RPLANE
37
Matrix/Repeats
REPEAT
38
X repeats
XREP
39
Y repeats
YREP
40
Direction/Priority
ROWPRIORITY
41
Lace Cut
LACECUT
43
{X} increment/length
XINC
44
{Y} increment/length
YINC
45
{Z} increment/length
ZINC
51
Quadrant
QUADRANT
57
Angle
INDEX
Edgecam User Guide
113
59
Move type
FIELD2
60
Distance
FIELD1
63 - 66
- Not defined -
67
USERVAR1
68
USERVAR2
69
USERVAR3
70
USERVAR4
71
USERVAR5
72 - 81
- Not defined -
82
Define layout
200
Multilevel in drill cycles ZPOINT()
201
Multidepth in drill
cycles
USERMATRIX
ZDEPTH()
Edgecam User Guide
114
Milling Cycle Commands

The diagram uses the drilling macro command (macro number 9), for the purposes of illustration only.
The flow diagram also applies to the chipbreak, tap, ream and bore macros.
See Also
System Variable - DRILLSUB
Procedure - LOOPEXPAND
Using MASK in Milling
Edgecam User Guide
115
System Variable - DRILLSUB

DRILLSUB = 1 indicates the present drill point array has repeated machining operations to be carried out and
generate controller subroutine definitions.
DRILLSUB = 0 indicates the present drill point array has only one machining operation and therefore output
array points immediately.
Edgecam User Guide
116
Procedure - LOOPEXPAND
A call to the user-defined LOOPEXPAND procedure will expand the number of points to be machined. The
following macro definitions ordinarily contain a LOOPEXPAND call:
DRILL CYCLE
TAP CYCLE
BORE CYCLE
CHIPBREAK CYCLE
CYCLESUB
Edgecam User Guide
117
Using MASK in Milling

The actual output of CNC code is affected by the MASK system variable.
Edgecam User Guide
118
Milling Macro Reference Overview

Expand the Milling Macro Reference book in the Table of Contents to see the full list of milling macro
reference topics.
Edgecam User Guide
119
Milling Macro Reference
1 - MOVE RAPID
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=1=..=Move Rapid =1,2,3,
System Variables Modified
System Variable Description
AMOVE
BMOVE
CMOVE
RMOVE
Radial distance from centre of rotation
ROT1
Angular position
WRAPRADIUS
Rotary mode. Defines the radius of the wrapped geometry
XMOVE
X Axis Motion
YMOVE
Y Axis Motion
ZMOVE
Z Axis Motion
Edgecam User Guide
120
2 - MOVE FEED
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=2=..=Move Feed=1,2,3,5,6,7,
AMOVE
BMOVE
CMOVE
FEED
Feedrate*
FIELD 12
Number of elements in lead move (only set if SUBFUNCT = 1 or 2)
RMOVE
ROT1
Angular position
SPEED
Spindle Speed
SUBFUNCT
0 = Not a lead move

1 = Lead in move
2 = Lead out move
WRAPRADIUS
Rotary mode. Defines the radius of the wrapped geometry
XMOVE
X Axis Motion
XYFEED
Feedrate in XY Plane
YMOVE
Y Axis Motion
ZFEED
Feedrate in Z Axis
ZMOVE
Z Axis Motion
*Feedrate Control for the Milling Code Generator

This sample of code tests for the slope of the tool movement and uses the appropriate feed system variable:
%IF #ZMOVE=#ZHOLD %THEN #FEED=XYFEED %ELSE #FEED=ZFEED
This could be replaced by this sample, using the later FEED system variable:
#FEED=FEED
Edgecam User Guide
121
3 - MOVE ARC
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=3=..=Move Arc=1,2,5,7,
System Variables Modified System Variable Description
SPEED
Spindle Speed
XYFEED
Edgecam User Guide
122
4 - FACEMILL CYCLE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=4=..=Facemill Cycle=1,2,9,5,7,
FEED
Feedrate (see Move Feed for details)
SPEED
Spindle Speed
X DELTA
Incremental X Distance
XEND
X Finish Position
XSTART
X Start Position
XYFEED
Y DELTA
Incremental Y Distance
YEND
Y Finish Position
YSTART
Y Start Position
ZDEPTH
Z Height of Cut
ZFEED
Feedrate in Z Axis
Edgecam User Guide
123
5 - PROFILE CYCLE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=5=..=Profile Cycle=4,5,6,7,9,12,13,21,22,24,25,
ANGLE
Angle of Lead In
FEED
LEFTRIGHT
Offset Direction
OFFSET
Offset Value
PATHTRACE
Controller Compensation Flag
SPEED
Spindle Speed
XYFEED
XY Plane Feed
ZDEPTH
Z Height of Cut
ZFEED
Z Axis Feed
Edgecam User Guide
124
6 - AREACLEAR CYCLE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=6=..=Areaclear Cycle=4,5,6,7,9,12,16,22,24,
FEED
OFFSET
Offset Value
SPEED
Spindle Speed
STEP
Percentage Cutter Overlap
XYFEED
XY Plane Feed
ZFEED
Z Axis Feedrate
Edgecam User Guide
125
7 - SLOT CYCLE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=7=..=Slot Cycle=4,5,6,7,9,
FEED
SPEED
Spindle Speed
XYFEED
XY Plane Feed
ZDEPTH
Z Height of Cut
ZFEED
Z Axis Feed
Edgecam User Guide
126
8 - CROSSHATCH CYCLE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=8=..=Crosshatch Cycle=4,5,6,7,9,12,16,49,
FEED
OFFSET
Offset Value
SPEED
Spindle Speed
STEP
XYFEED
XY Plane Feed
ZDEPTH
Z Height of Cut
ZFEED
Z Axis Feed
Edgecam User Guide
127
9 - DRILL CYCLE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=9=..=Drill Cycle=4,6,7,9,10,21,23,27,29,28,50,53|176,200,201,
DEGR
Degression Value
DEPTH
Depth of Peck
DRILLSUB
Subroutine Indicator
0 = Longhand Code
1 = Subroutines Present
DWELL
Dwell in Seconds
FEED
Feedrate
LAST
Number of Points
MRPLANE(#)
Retract Plane for each position*
MZDEPTH(#)
Z Drilling Depth for each position*
PATHTRACE
Controller Canned Cycle Flag
RPLANE
Retraction Plane
SPEED
Spindle Speed
XPOINT(#)
X Axis Position*
YPOINT(#)
Y Axis Position*
ZCLEAR
Z Clearance Plane
ZDEPTH
Final Z Depth, if multilevel not selected
ZFEED
Z Axis Feed
ZLEVEL
Work Plane, if multilevel not selected
ZPOINT(#)
Zlevel for each position*
ZSAFE
Safe Distance
Note that 176 (FIELD1) contains the Entry feed value.

* See Also XYZ Array for Drilling in Different Environments
Edgecam User Guide
128
10 - CHIPBREAK CYCLE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=10=..=Chipbreak Cycle=4,6,7,9,10,21,23,29,28,50,53|176,200,201,
DEGR
Degression Value
DEPTH
Depth of Peck
DRILLSUB
0 = Longhand Code
DWELL
Dwell in Seconds
FEED
Feedrate
MRPLANE (#)
MZDEPTH (#)
PATHTRACE
RPLANE
Retraction Plane
SPEED
Spindle Speed
XEND
X End Position
XPOINT(#)
X Axis Position*
XSTART
X Start Position
YEND
Y End Position
YPOINT(#)
Y Axis Position*
YSTART
Y Start Position
ZCLEAR
Z Clearance Plane
ZDEPTH
ZFEED
Z Axis Feed
ZLEVEL
ZPOINT(#)

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11 - REAM CYCLE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=11=..=Ream Cycle=4,6,7,9,21,27,29,28,50,53|176,200,201,
DWELL
Dwell in Seconds
DRILLSUB
0 = Longhand Code
FEED
Feedrate
LAST
Number of Points
MRPLANE (#)
MZDEPTH (#)
PATHTRACE
RPLANE
Retraction Plane
SPEED
Spindle Speed
XEND
X End Position
XPOINT(#)
X Axis Position*
XSTART
X Start Position
YEND
Y End Position
YPOINT(#)
Y Axis Position*
YSTART
Y Start Position
ZCLEAR
Z Clearance Plane
ZDEPTH
ZFEED
Z Axis Feed
ZLEVEL
ZPOINT(#)
Zlevel for each position.*

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13 - TAP CYCLE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=13=..=Tap Cycle=4,6,7,9,21,27,29,28,200,201,
DWELL
Dwell in Seconds
DRILLSUB
0 = Longhand Code
FEED
Feedrate
LAST
Number of Points
MRPLANE(#)
MZDEPTH(#)
PATHTRACE
RPLANE
Retraction Plane
SPEED
Spindle Speed
XEND
X End Position
XPOINT(#)
X Axis Position*
XSTART
X Start Position
YEND
Y End Position
YPOINT(#)
Y Axis Position*
YSTART
Y Start Position
ZCLEAR
Z Clearance Plane
ZDEPTH
ZFEED
Z Axis Feed
ZLEVEL
ZPOINT(#)
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14 - MOVE RELATIVE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=14=..=Move Relative=4,9,12,13,60,59,7,5,
FIELD1
Distance
FIELD2
Move type:
1 = Feed
2 = Rapid
LEFTRIGHT
Offset Direction
OFFSET
Offset Value
SPEED
Spindle Speed
XYFEED
XY Plane Feed
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15 - TOOLCHANGE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=15=..=Toolchange=8,12,47,48,57,61,15,
These system variables are available following a %LOAD call for the current tool number. The current tool
number is the value of SUBFUNCT.
CMT1
Cumulative Tool Usage at Toolchange in Minutes
CSS
Constant surface speed
CORNERRAD
Corner radius of selected tool (or #FUNNY)
DIRECTION
Spindle rotation direction: Forward or reverse
FEEDTYPE
Feed/Rev (1) or Feed/Minute (2)
FLUTELENGTH
Flute Length
GEAR
Gear
GROUP
The string value of the 'Group Code' modifier on the

ToolChange dialog.
GROUPSTRING
A string comprising the first sequence of letter characters in

the GROUP variable ('abc123def').
GROUPNUMBER
A numeric variable converted from the first numerical

character sequence in the GROUP variable ('abc123def').
A '.' character is classed as the decimal point of a number
('abc12.3def' gives 12.3, '.12def' gives 0.12).
ID
The string value of the 'Code ID' modifier on the

ToolChange dialog.
IDSTRING

the ID variable ('abc123def')
IDNUMBER

character sequence in the ID variable ('abc123def').
MAINTAININDEX
Setting of the Maintain Index checkbox used in the

Toolchange command (rotary head indexes only).
0 = not checked
1 = checked
MAXRPM
Maximum revs per minute
POSITION
Turret Number
QUADRANT
Select corner from which to start Matrix Mode
STRTSTOREUSER1
User defined text variable from ToolStore
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STRTSTOREUSER2
SUBFUNCT
Current Tool Pointer
THROUGHCOOLANT
Through Tool Coolant flag from ToolStore; 0=off, 1=0n
TOOLDESCRIPTION
Toolname
TOOLEN
Tool Length Setting
TOOLNUM
How tool is defined

0 = Tool defined interactively
1 = Loaded from Cutting Tools Library
2 = Loaded from Assembly Library
3 = Loaded from Tool Kit
TOOLOFFSET
Tool length offset register
TOOLRAD
Tool Radius
TOOLTYPE
Tool Type information

0 = Endmill
1 = Ballnose
2 = Tap
3 = Drill
4 = Taper
5 = Other - NO LONGER USED
6 = T-Slot
7 = Lollipop
TOOLZSET
Z Gauge Length
TSTOREUSER1
User defined numeric variable from ToolStore
TSTOREUSER2
USERDEFINEDSTRING
Comment
XCPL, YCPL, ZCPL
The tool tip position after the toolchange, in current CPL

coordinates.
Note that the user defined system variable Q69 is usually used for the tool length offset register number.
The ToolStore has been developed to make use of this and where a TLO value is entered it will be passed
through as USERVAR3.
Tool Offset is now the system variable TOOLOFFSET. The modifier 12 must be defined on the macro line
to display and use this new system variable to retain compatibility with existing posts. This method of setting
tool offset replaces the use of user vars.
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21 - FEED TYPE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=21=..=Feed Type
SUBFUNCT
1 = Feed Per Revolution

2 = Feed Per Minute
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22 - DWELL
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=22=..=Dwell=27,
DWELL
Dwell in Seconds
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29 - RADIUSCOMP
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=29=..=Radiuscomp=
SUBFUNCT
Assigned as Selected
Value
1 = No compensation
2 = Compensation Left
3 = Compensation Right
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30 - MATRIX MODE ON
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=30=..=Matrix Mode On=43,44,38,39,40,41,21,82,
LACECUT
Lacecut
1 = Yes
0 = No
ROWPRIORITY
Row or Column Priority

0 = Column
1 = Row
USERMATRIX
User Defined Matrix
XINC
Incremental X Move
XREP
Number of Repeats in X Axis
YINC
Incremental Y Move
YREP
Number of Repeats in Y Axis
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31 - MATRIX MODE OFF

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=31=..=Matrix Mode Off=
None - End of Matrix Definition
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32 - TRANSLATE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=32=..=Translate=43,44,45,14,26,37,21,
PATHTRACE
REPEAT
Number of Repeats
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
XINC
X Translation Value
XSUB
X Coord of First Point
YINC
Y Translation Value
YSUB
Y Coord of First Point
ZINC
Z Translation Value
ZSUB
Z Coord of First Point
XEND
X End of First Move
YEND
Y End of First Move
ZEND
Z End of First Move
The RESET macro is called on exit from this macro.

When Mill Mode=Rotary, the Rotate command treats it as a translation about an angle:
ANGLE
Angular rotation
PATHTRACE
REPEAT
Number of repeats
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine number
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33 - ROTATE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=33=..=Rotate=1,2,14,26,24,37,21,
ANGLE
Angle of Rotation
PATHTRACE
REPEAT
Number of Repeats
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
XCENTRE
X Coord of Rotation
XSUB
YCENTRE
Y Coord of Rotation
YSUB

When Rotate is accessed while in Mill Mode=Rotary, the command is treated as a Transform, Translate. See
Macro 32.
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34 - MIRROR
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=34=..=Mirror=1,2,14,26,21,
PATHTRACE
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
XEND
X Coord of Second Point on mirror line
XSTART
X Coord of First Point on mirror line
XSUB
X Coord First Machining Position
YEND
Y Coord of Second Point on mirror line
YSTART
Y Coord of First Point on mirror line
YSUB
Y Coord First Machining Position
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35 - PECK
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=35=..=Peck=14,26,45,9,29,21,58,
PATHTRACE
PECKRETRACT
Retraction Flag
REPEAT
Number of Repeats
RPLANE
Clearance Plane [Optional]
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
XSUB
YSUB
ZINC
Z Translation Value
ZSUB
The Reset macro is called on exit from this macro.
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36 - TECHNOLOGY
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=36=..=Technology=
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37 - THREAD MILLING
Note that this information also applies to Macro 187 - the CY turning version.
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=37=..=Thread Mill=7,
Field 1
Clearance
Field 2
Retract
Field 3
Diameter
Field 4
Level
Field 5
Depth of Thread
Field 6
Pitch
This macro will either set up the data array for machines which are capable of helical interpolation, or direct the
output through %NOCYCLE. If the user selects 'canned cycle' processing takes place using the array
described below, otherwise output is via RAPID and FEED macros.
Pathtrace
0 = Helical interpolation
1 = Pathtrace expansion to linear moves (use NOCYCLE
command)
For machines which are capable of helical interpolation the following applies:
The System variable XPOINT(#) must be tested for the type of movement being output.
LAST
Number of elements in the array
XPOINT(#)
0 = Rapid
1 = Feed
2 = Clockwise direction arc
3 = Counterclockwise direction arc
4 = Clockwise direction helical arc
5 = Counterclockwise direction helical arc
(#) is the subscript to gain access to a particular element.

The array comprises elements of three variables each. Each move type will occupy 2 or more elements, as
follows:
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Rapid
Feed
CLW
CCLW
Helical CLW
Helical CCLW
Element
XPOINT(#)
YPOINT(#)
RADIUS(#)
Feedrate
X Destination
Y Destination
Z Destination
Feedrate
X Destination
Y Destination
Z Destination
Feedrate
X Centre
Y Centre
Radius
X Destination
Y Destination
Not used
Feedrate
X Centre
Y Centre
Radius
X Destination
Y Destination
Not used
Feedrate
X Centre
Y Centre
Not used
X Destination
Y Destination
Z Destination
Start Radius
End Radius
Not used
Feedrate
X Centre
Y Centre
Not used
X Destination
Y Destination
Z Destination
Start Radius
End Radius
Not used
Field 1
Clearance
Field 2
Retract
Field 3
Diameter
Field 4
Level
Field 5
Depth of Thread
Field 6
Pitch
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40 - MOVE HOME
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=40=..=Move Home=
FIELD1
X Axis Lock. Non-zero if X FIXED
FIELD2
Y Axis Lock. Non-zero if Y FIXED
FIELD3
Z Axis Lock. Non-zero if Z FIXED
FIELD4
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41 - MOVE TOOLCHANGE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=41=..=Move Toolchange=
FIELD1
FIELD2
FIELD3
FIELD4
Axis priority
0 = No priority
1 = X move first
2 = Y move first
3 = Z move first
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42 - MOVE INITIAL PLANE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=42=..=Move Initial Plane=
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43 - INDEX PALLET
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=43=..=Index=57,
These system variables are available following a %GETCPL.

CPLPLANE
Orthogonal alignment of the tool in terms of Initial CPL's X, Y and Z

axes.
Note that '+' values are where the tool tip has the lowest X, Y or Z
value. '-' values are in the opposite direction.
0 = non-orthogonal.
1 = +X.
2 = -X
3 = +Y
4 = -Y
5 = +Z (corresponds to machine's Initial CPL)
6 = -Z
DIRECTION
Index direction of secondary axis (or primary axis if only one axis)
0 = Shortest
1 = Clockwise
2 = Anticlockwise
EULER1, EULER2, EULER3
Euler angles - coordinate system re-orientation for rotary head indexing
GROUPDESCRIPTION
CPL name
INDEX
Pallet angle position
PIVOT
For rotary head indexing

0 = Pivot around rotary axis
1 = Pivot around tool tip
Note that you only see the corresponding option in the Index dialog if
position 32 of the MM line is set to 1.
ROT1
Primary angle
ROT2
Secondary angle
SFMOD
Defines rotary axis:

1 = X Axis
2 = Y Axis
3 = Z Axis
STYPE
Co-ordinate shift type

0 = Incremental
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1 = Absolute
SUBFUNCT
Current CPL pointer
SYSID
Unique co-ordinate system identifier
XINC, YINC, ZINC
Position of current CPL origin, in Initial CPL coordinates
XSUB, YSUB, ZSUB
Position of Machine Datum, in World coordinates
XCPL, YCPL, ZCPL
The tool tip position after the index, in current CPL coordinates
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44 - SELECT MILL MODE (Rotary/Planar Milling)

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=44=..=Rotary/Planar
SUBFUNCT
0 = Rotary, Z X & C interpolation
1 = Planar, Z X & Y interpolation
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45 - MOVE ANGULAR
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=45=..=Move Angular=5,6,7,59,
Re-direction MUST occur using the %NOCYCLE command.
AMOVE
BMOVE
CMOVE
FEED
RMOVE
ROT1
Angular position
SPEED
WRAPRADIUS
Rotary mode. Defines the radius of the wrapped geometry.
ZFEED
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46 - MOVE RELATIVE 2
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=46=..=Move Relative 2=4,59,7,5,
FIELD2
Move type:
1 = Feed
0 = Rapid
SPEED
XYFEED
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47 - MOVE CONSTRAINED
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=47=..=Move Constrained=4,59,7,5,
FIELD2
Move type:
1 = Feed
0 = Rapid
SPEED
XYFEED
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48 - DATUM SHIFT
This can only be accessed when MILL MODE=Planar.
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=48=..=DATUM SHIFT
These system variables are available following a %GETCPL each with the index number, SUBFUNCT.
GROUPDESCRIPTION
CPL name
STYPE
Co- ordinate shift type
SUBFUNCT
Current CPL pointer
SYSID
Unique co- ordinate system identifier
XINC(1)
Absolute value in X from the

current CPL origin to the Initial CPL origin.
XSUB(2)
Absolute X datum origin
YINC(1)
Absolute value in Y from the

YSUB(2)
Absolute Y datum origin
ZINC(1)
Absolute value in Z from the

ZSUB(2)
Absolute Z datum origin
(1) The system variables XINC, YINC and ZINC (not #XINC etc) contain the current CPL position in Initial CPL
coordinates.
(2) The system variables XSUB, YSUB and ZSUB (not #XSUB etc) contain the current position from world
origin, in current coordinates.
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49 - RESET ROTARY DATUM

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=49=..=RESET ROTARY DATUM
AMOVE / BMOVE / CMOVE Rotary axis
ROT1
Primary rotary axis
ROT2
Secondary rotary axis
Either ROT1 or ROT2 will be updated with the new angular position obtained from this command.
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12 - BORE CYCLE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=12=..=Bore Cycle=4,6,7,9,21,29,28,50,53|176,200,201,
DWELL
Dwell in Seconds
DRILLSUB
0 = Longhand Code
FEED
Feedrate
LAST
Number of Points
MRPLANE (#)
MZDEPTH (#)
PATHTRACE
RPLANE
Retraction Plane
SPEED
Spindle Speed
XEND
X End Position
XPOINT(#)
X Axis Position*
XSTART
X Start Position
YEND
Y End Position
YPOINT(#)
Y Axis Position*
YSTART
Y Start Position
ZCLEAR
Z Clearance Plane
ZDEPTH
ZFEED
Z Axis Feed
ZLEVEL
ZPOINT(#)

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51 - START
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=51=..=START System Macro
System Variables
Modified
NUMTOOLS
Total Number of Tools Used
UNIT
0 = Inches
1 = Millimetres
JOBDESC
Job Manager Description
JOBCOM
Job Manager Comment
JOBFAM
Job Manager Family
JOBMACH
Job Manager Machine
JOBCUST
Job Manager Customer
JOBPROG
Job Manager Programmer
JOBMATL
Job Manager Material
JOBREV
Job Manager Revision
APPEND = #
Create Secondary File Flag
CIRCLE = 1 or 0
Single or Multi Quadrant Interpolation
CUSTOMERNAME
Retrieved from Edgecam licensing.
SERVERCODE
DATE
String variable containing date at code generation time, using the format MM/DD/YY
UKDATE
String variable containing date at code generation time, using the format DD/MM/YY
DAY.MONTH.YEAR
Numeric variables that allow you to format the date according to your requirements
ENDSUB = 0
End of Subroutine Block Number
MACHINENAME
String variable containing code generator name.
MACHTIME1
Total Machining Time
MACRONAMEOP=0
No Debug output to CNC File
MACRONAMEOP=1
All Macro Executions output to CNC File
MILLMODE
0=Rotary, 1=Planar
MACRONAMEOP=2
Macro Executions output only if MASK=0
NUMBLOCKS = #
Maximum Limit of Blocks
NUMCHARS = #
Maximum Limit of Characters
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PARTNAME
String variable containing Edgecam partname.
PRECISION
Controls the CNC output precision
SEQUENCENAME
String variable containing machining sequence name.
STARTSUB = 0
Start of Subroutine Block Number
TIME
String variable containing time at code generation time.
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53 - CLW
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=53=..=CLW System Macro
ENDANGLE
The end angle of the arc (always positive and less than
STARTANGLE)
FIELD 12
INCANGLE
The included angle in the arc (always positive)
LEFTRIGHT
Side of offset for feed adjustment

#Funny = No feed adjustment
0 = Right offset (conventional)
1 = Left offset (climb)
RADIUS
Radius of Arc
STARTANGLE
Starting angle of the arc (always positive and greater than

ENDANGLE)
SUBFUNCT
0 = Not a lead move

1 = Lead in move
2 = Lead out move
XCENTRE
X Centre of Arc (XY, ZX Arcs)
XEND
X Arc End (XY, ZX Arcs)
XSTART
X Arc Start (XY, ZX Arcs)
XYPLANE
Plane Switch (see TRUEARCOP).
YCENTRE
Y Centre of Arc (XY, ZY Arcs)
YEND
Y Arc End (XY, ZY Arcs)
YSTART
Y Arc Start (XY, ZY Arcs)
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54 - CCLW
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=54=..=CCLW System Macro
System Variables
Modified
ENDANGLE
The end angle of the arc (always positive and greater than
STARTANGLE)
FIELD 12
INCANGLE
LEFTRIGHT
Side of offset for feed adjustment

#Funny = No feed adjustment
0 = Right offset (conventional)
1 = Left offset (climb)
STARTANGLE
Starting angle of the arc (always positive and less than ENDANGLE)
RADIUS
Radius of Arc
SUBFUNCT
0 = Not a lead move

1 = Lead in move
2 = Lead out move
XCENTRE
XEND
XSTART
XYPLANE
Plane Switch (see TRUEARCOP).
YCENTRE
YEND
YSTART
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55 - SUBSTART
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=55=..=SUBSTART System Macro
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
Edgecam regards the start of subroutines as the END of the first move after the label. In this macro the
coordinates of this move are stored in NEXTXMOVE, NEXTYMOVE, NEXTZMOVE. It is from this point that
incremental moves in a subroutine should be calculated.
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56 - SUBEND
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=56=..=SUBEND System Macro
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
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58 - END
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=58=..=END System Macro
JOBDESC
JOBCOM
Job Manager Comment
JOBFAM
Job Manager Family
JOBMACH
Job Manager Machine
JOBCUST
JOBPROG
JOBMATL
JOBREV
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59 - SUBCALL
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=59=..=SUBCALL System Macro
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
coordinates of the move are stored in NEXTXMOVE, NEXTYMOVE, NEXTZMOVE and any positioning block
should be to that point except in the case of hole cycle position subroutines.
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60 - RESET
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=60=..=RESET System Macro
PATHTRACE
0 = Controller Subroutines
1 = Subroutines expanded within Edgecam
SUBFUNCT
1 = Translate
2 = Rotate
3 = Mirror
The RESET macro is accessed after each manipulative macro call.
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61 - CYCLSUB
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=61=..=CYCLSUB System Macro
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69 - ANGCLW
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=69=..=ANGCLW
This macro handles the output of radially machined arcs in rotary mode.
CIRCLE
0=Multi-quadrant arcs
1=Single-quadrant arcs
CSTART /CCENTRE /CEND C Arc Coords (Angular co-ordinate)*

RADIUS
Radius of Arc
ROT1 / ROT2 / AMOVE /

BMOVE / CMOVE
Angular position
WRAPRADIUS
Wrap radius value
XEND
X Arc End - Radius of Cylinder
XSTART / XCENTRE
X Arc Coords
YEND
Y Arc End
YSTART / YCENTRE
Y Arc Coords
ZEND
Z Arc End
ZSTART / ZCENTRE
Z Arc Coords
*The arc co-ordinate variables that are set up will be dependent upon the axis configuration, but CSTART /
CCENTRE /CEND always represent the angular position irrespective of machine configuration.
Note: this macro will only be visited if wrapped geometry is machined at the depth at which the original
geometry was wrapped, or switch 17 on the MM line has been set to 1 (see Rotary Output Mode)
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70 - ANGCCLW
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=70=..=ANGCCLW
CIRCLE
CSTART/CCENTRE /CEND C Arc Coords*

RADIUS
Radius of Arc

BMOVE / CMOVE
Angular position
WRAPRADIUS
Wrap radius value
XEND
XSTART / XCENTRE
X Arc Coords
YEND
Y Arc End
YSTART / YCENTRE
Y Arc Coords
ZEND
Z Arc End
ZSTART / ZCENTRE
Z Arc Coords
*The arc co-ordinate variables that are set up will be dependent upon the axis configuration, but CSTART /
CCENTRE /CEND always represent the angular position irrespective of machine configuration.
Note: this macro will only be visited if wrapped geometry is machined at the depth at which the original
geometry was wrapped, or switch 17 on the MM line has been set to 1 (see Rotary Output Mode)
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71 - ATTRIBUTE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=71=..=ATTRIBUTE System Macro
SUBFUNCT
Attribute type:
3 = True position
(Edgecam 5 Axis extension only)
2 = Secondary feed rate
(XYFEED is also set up in MILL)
(FEED is set up in TURN)
Attributes are currently only set up by PDI executables.
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72 - SPLINES
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=SPLINES
Output
Fanuc (output type = NURB)
Heidenhain (output type = cubic polynomial spline)
Siemens (output type = cubic polynomial spline)
The actual output type is specified in the machine details line, position 21.
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Milling Macro Syntax

In the following macro definitions, the recommended syntax should be taken to mean the following:
%MACRO=[macro number]=..=[Description]=[Modifier List...]
For example:
%MACRO=1=..=RAPID=1,2,3,
At all times the following variables are available:
NEXTMACRO
Next macro to be processed.
These variables are set up by a system that looks ahead to the next tool movement:
NEXTSPEED
Next spindle speed selected.
NEXTXYFEED
Next XY feedrate
NEXTZFEED
Next Z feedrate
NEXTCOMP
1 = No compensation
2 = Left compensation
3 = Right compensation
NEXTXMOVE
Next X axis movement
NEXTYMOVE
Next Y axis movement
NEXTZMOVE
Next Z axis movement
These variables are all set up from the %MACHINE section:

XTOOL
Toolchange X position
YTOOL
Toolchange Y position
ZTOOL
Toolchange Z position
XHOME
Toolhome X position
YHOME
Toolhome Y position
ZHOME
Toolhome Z position
TXMAX
Maximum machine extents in X
TYMAX
Maximum machine extents in Y
TZMAX
Maximum machine extents in Z
IPLANE
Initial plane
MAXFEED
Maximum feedrate
MAXSPEED
Maximum speed
MAXRPM
Maximum spindle speed
NUMTOOLS
Number of tools used in the machining sequence
MACHTIME1
Machining time
During %NOCYCLE processing (through RAPID, FEED, CLW and CCLW macros) the following additional
variables are available:
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During %NOCYCLE processing (through RAPID, FEED, CLW and CCLW macros) the following additional
variables are available:
NEXTARC
0 = Nextmove is linear
1 = Nextmove is counterclockwise
2 = Nextmove is clockwise
3 = End of %NOCYCLE processing
If the nextmove is an arc move,

NEXTXCENTRE
NEXTYCENTRE
Two out of three of these will be set up

depending on the plane switch of the arc
and the current setting of the TRUEARCOP variable.
NEXTZCENTRE
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Turning Modifiers
Number
Heading
System Variables
Name
GROUPDESCRIPTION
Feedrate
FEED
Plunge feed
ZFEED
Speed
SPEED
Tool Number
TOOLNUM
Total Depth
TOTALDEPTH
10
Cut Increment
DEPTH
12
Pitch
PITCH
13
CSS
CSS
14
From
STCOMMAND
15
Comment
USERDEFINEDSTRING
17
Override
FIELD1
21
Canned Cycle
PATHTRACE
23
Xinc
YINC
24
Drive
RMOVE
25
Cut
CMOVE
26
End #
ENCOMMAND
27
Time
DWELL
28
Lead angle
TOOLANGLE1
29
Trail angle
TOOLANGLE2
30
Z Offset
OFFSETZ
31
X Offset
OFFSETX
43
Z mirror
STCOMMAND
44
Z lead
ENCOMMAND
45
Z Increment
XINC
49
L/R
LEFTRIGHT
50
Offset
OFFSET
62
Tolerance
TOLERANCE
63
Finish Depth
TOTDEPTH
64
Offset
OFFSET
65
L/R
LEFTRIGHT
66
Step
STEP
67
USERVAR1
68
USERVAR2
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69
USERVAR3
70
USERVAR4
71
USERVAR5
73
Degression
DEGR
74
Angle
ANGLE
75
Radius
RADIUS
76
Clear
ZCLEAR
77
Retract
RPLANE
78
Xinc
XINC
79
Yinc
YINC
81
XH Angle
ANGLE
82
Retract
PECKRETRACT
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PASS
The system variable PASS is the turret processing pointer. PASS is assigned the following values:
PASS = 1 = Upper turret processing
PASS = 2 = Lower turret processing
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TURRET
The system variable TURRET is used to output the tooling data for the upper and lower turrets.
TURRET = 0 = Upper turret data
TURRET = 1 = Lower turret data
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File Output
If parameter 5 in the appropriate machine format ('mm') line in the machine tool macro is set to:
0
Processing will output to a single file as follows: upper turret to first sync code,
lower turret to first sync code, upper turret to next sync code, lower turret to next
sync code and so on until all CNC code has been output.
Two tapes will be produced, one for each turret. If the name supplied for the
CNC file is TEST, the CNC files produced will be named TEST-1.NC and
TEST-2.NC
The file for the lower turret will be merged with the upper turret file at the
synchronisation points.
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4 Axis Synchronisation
The SYNCHRONISE TURRETS macro causes either turret to wait until the other turret has completed its
operations. When the SYNCHRONISE TURRETS command is issued, a 'wait code' is sent to both turrets.
The command can be issued at any point within machining and is not turret dependent. It may also be applied
as a retrospective command.
The effect of the SYNCHRONISE command is that both turrets will start to perform their operations
simultaneously. Normally one turret will finish before the other and will read the SYNCHRONISE command.
This instructs the turret to wait until the second turret also reads the SYNCHRONISE command, at which point
both turrets are started again.
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Axis Output
UPPER TURRET
LOWER TURRET
Toolchange
Toolchange
Rapid
Rapid
Rough Turn
Waiting
SYNCHRONISATION
Rapid Home
Profile
Toolchange
...
Rapid
...
Waiting
...
...
...
...
Feed
SYNCHRONISATION
Threading
Rapid Home
...
End of operations
...
Rapid Home
End of operations
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Turning Macro Syntax

%MACRO=[macro number]=..=[Description]=[variables...]
For example:
%MACRO=1=..=Rapid=1,2,
At all times the following variables are available (items marked with a * only apply to 4 axis lathe configurations.
Macros marked with a * should be removed from 2 axis configurations):
NEXTMACRO
Next macro to be processed.
These variables are set up by a system that looks ahead to the next tool movement:
NEXTSPEED
Next spindle speed selected.
NEXTXYFEED
Next used XY feedrate
NEXTZFEED
Next used Z feedrate
NEXTCOMP
1 = No compensation
2 = Left compensation
3 = Right compensation
NEXTXMOVE
Next X axis movement
NEXTZMOVE
Next Z axis movement
These variables are all set up from the %MACHINE section:

XTOOL
Upper turret X toolchange position
*XTOOL1
Lower turret X toolchange position
ZTOOL
Upper turret Z toolchange position
*ZTOOL1
Lower turret X toolchange position
XHOME
Upper turret X home position
*XHOME1
Lower turret X home position.
ZHOME
Upper turret Z home position
*ZHOME1
Lower turret Z home position
TXMAX
Maximum machine extents in X
TZMAX
Maximum machine extents in Z
IPLANE
Initial plane
MAXFEED
Maximum Feedrate
MAXSPEED
Maximum Spindle Speed
MAXRPM
Maximum Spindle Revolutions Per Minute
NUMTOOLS
Number of Tools used
MACHTIME1
Machining time
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NUMTOOLS
Number of Tools in Upper Turret
*NUMTOOLS1
Number of Tools in Lower Turret
MACHTIME1
Machining Time for Upper Turret
*MACHTIME2
Machining Time for Lower Turret
MAXFEED
Maximum Feedrate -as %MACHINE
MAXRAPID
Maximum Rapid -as %MACHINE
MAXRPM
Maximum RPM -as %MACHINE
PASS
Turret currently being processed:

0 = Upper turret
1 = Lower turret
TURRET
May be set in the post. Defines which turret %LOAD is to be directed:
0 = Upper turret
1 = Lower turret
During %NOCYCLE processing the following additional variables are available:

NEXTARC
0 = Nextmove is linear
1 = Nextmove is counterclockwise
2 = Nextmove is clockwise
3 = End of %NOCYCLE processing
If the nextmove is an arc move,

NEXTXCENTRE
Two out of three will be set up depending
NEXTYCENTRE
on the plane switching of the arc and the
NEXTZCENTRE
setting of the TRUEARCOP variable.
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Turning Macro Reference

Expand the Turning Macro Reference book in the Table of Contents to see the full list of turning macro
reference topics.
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1 - MOVE RAPID
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=1=..=Move Rapid=1,2,
XMOVE
X Axis Motion
ZMOVE
Z Axis Motion
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2 - MOVE FEED
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=2=..=Move Feed=1,2,5,7,
System Variables
Modified
FEED
Feedrate
FIELD 12
Number of elements in lead move (only set if SUBFUNCT = 1 or

2)
SPEED
Spindle Speed
SUBFUNCT
0 = Not a lead move

1 = Lead in move
2 = Lead out move
XMOVE
X Axis Motion
ZMOVE
Z Axis Motion
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3 - SIMPLE TURN CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=3=..=Simple Turn Cycle=1,2,5,7,10,21,41,84,
DEGR
Degression
DEPTH
Depth of Cut
FEED
Feedrate
FIELD2
Link Type
FIELD7
Z Start Position
FIELD8
X Start Position
FIELD11
Rough Cuts Only modifier

1 = Yes
0 = No
PATHTRACE
SPEED
Spindle Speed
SUBFUNCT
Tool Drive Condition
XEND
X Axis End Position
ZEND
Z Axis End Position
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4 - ROUGH TURN CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=4=..=Rough Turn Cycle=4,5,7,10,12,30,31,21,40,41,84,
Note that 12 is optional and enables the Constant Offset modifier in the cycle dialog.
DEGR
Degression factor used to calculate depth of cut
DEPTH
Depth of Cut
ENDSUB
End Subroutine Block Number
FEED
Feedrate
FIELD2
Link Type
1 = Rapid
2 = Feed
FIELD7
Billet Z co-ordinate (only if FIELD9=1)
FIELD8
Billet X co-ordinate (only if FIELD9=1)
FIELD9
Billet selection:
0 = Start point specified by current tool position
1 = Billet specified by digitised position
(co-ordinates held in fields 7 & 8)
2 = Geometric or toolpath billet selected
FIELD10
Corner Type
0 = Round corners
1 = Square corners
FIELD11
Rough Cuts Only modifier

0 = Not selected
1 = Selected
FIELD12
Cycle Finish position

1 = Finish at cycle start
OFFSETX
X Axis Offset Value
OFFSETZ
Z Axis Offset Value
PATHTRACE
SPEED
Spindle Speed
STARTSUB
Start Subroutine Block Number
SUBFUNCT
Drive Condition
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine identifying number
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XEND
X Axis End Position of profile
XSTART
X Axis Start Position of profile
ZEND
Z Axis End Position of profile
ZSTART
Z Axis Start Position of profile
Important Note
For the Retract and Approach angles to work correctly, you must use a suitably modified Code Generator file.
The line (in the Code Generator source file) containing the Rough Turn macro must be modified as follows:
%MACRO=4=RT=Rough turn area clearance=5,7,10,30,31,21,40,41,135
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5 - FINISH TURN CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=5=..=Finish Turn Cycle=4,5,7,12,30,31,21,
Note that 12 is optional and enables the Constant Offset modifier in the cycle dialog.
ENDSUB
FEED
Feedrate
FIELD1
Lead in Angle
FIELD2
Lead in Radius
FIELD3
Lead in Length
FIELD4
Lead out Angle
FIELD5
Lead out Radius
FIELD6
Lead out Length
FIELD7
Start Point Z co-ordinate (if FIELD9=1)
FIELD8
Start Point X co-ordinate (if FIELD9=1)
FIELD9
Digitise Start (Point):

FIELD10
Corner Type:
0 = Round corners
1 = Square corners
OFFSETX
X Axis Offset Value
OFFSETZ
Z Axis Offset Value
PATHTRACE
SPEED
Spindle Speed
STARTSUB
SUBROUTINE
XEND
XSTART
ZEND
ZSTART
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6 - ROUGH GROOVE CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=6=..=Rough Groove Cycle=4,5,7,10,30,31,41,
System Variable Modified
DEPTH
Depth of Cut
FEED
Feedrate
FIELD1
Grooving Strategy
1 = Sequential
2 = Centre Sequential
3 = Centre Alternate
FIELD2
Link Type
1 = Rapid
2 = Feed
FIELD7
Billet Z co-ordinate (only if FIELD9=1)
FIELD8
Billet X co-ordinate (only if FIELD9=1)
FIELD9
Billet selection:
FIELD10
Corner Type :
0 = Round corners
1 = Square corners
FIELD12
Finish At (1 implies a return to cycle start)
OFFSETX
X Axis Offset Value
OFFSETZ
Z Axis Offset Value
PATHTRACE
SPEED
Spindle Speed
SUBROUTINE
XEND
XSTART
ZEND
ZSTART
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7 - FINISH GROOVE CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=7=..=Finish Groove Cycle=4,5,7,30,31,
FEED
Feedrate
FIELD7
Start Point Z co-ordinate
FIELD8
Start Point X co-ordinate
FIELD9
Digitise Start selection:

FIELD10
Corner Type
0 = Round corners
1 = Square corners
FIELD12
Finish At
1 = Return to cycle start
OFFSETX
X Axis Offset Value
OFFSETZ
Z Axis Offset Value
SPEED
Spindle Speed
SUBROUTINE
XEND
XSTART
ZEND
ZSTART
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8 - THREAD CYCLE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=8=..=Thread Cycle=4,12,7,9,10,21,
ANGLE
Approach Angle
Note: If the above is equal to #FUNNY, then the angles are equivalent
to the tool angles.
DEGR
Degression
DEPTH
Depth of Cut
FIELD1
Number of Starts (the value is negative if the ALTERNATE modifier

has been specified)
FIELD2
Start Depth
FIELD3
Final Increment
FIELD4
Spring Depth
FIELD5
Link Type
0 = Chase both
1 = Chase in
2 = Chase out
3 = No feed moves in or out
FIELD6
Number of passes
FIELD12
Finish At
FPASS
Spring Cuts
PATHTRACE
PITCH
Pitch of Thread
SPEED
Spindle Speed
STANGLE
Retract Angle
Note: If the above is equal to #FUNNY, then the angles are equivalent
to the tool angles.
TOTALDEPTH
Final Depth Of Thread
XCURRENTPOS
Current X Axis Position
XEND
X Axis End Position
XSTART
X Axis Start Position
ZCURRENTPOS
Current Z Axis Position
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ZEND
Z Axis End Position
ZSTART
Z Axis Start Position
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9 - DRILL CYCLE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=9=..=Drill Cycle=1,10,5,7,21,50,53|176,200,201,
DEGR
Degression
DEPTH
1st cut depth
DWELL
Dwell time
FEED
Feedrate
MRPLANE(#)
MZDEPTH(#)
PATHTRACE
RPLANE
R-plane
SPEED
Spindle Speed
XCURRENTPOS
ZCLEAR
2nd clear
ZCURRENTPOS
ZEND
Final depth, if multilevel not selected
ZFEED
Feedrate
ZLEVEL
Zlevel, if multilevel not selected
ZSAFE
Safe distance
Note: 176 (FIELD1)contains the Entry feed value.

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10 - TAP CYCLE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=10=..=Tap Cycle=1,7,12,27,21,200,201,
DWELL
Dwell time
FEED
Feedrate
MRPLANE(#)
MZDEPTH(#)
PATHTRACE
PITCH
Thread Pitch
RPLANE
R-plane
SPEED
Spindle Speed
XCURRENTPOS
ZCLEAR
2nd clear
ZCURRENTPOS
ZEND
Final depth, if multilevel not selected
ZFEED
Modified Feedrate, as Feed Per Minute
ZLEVEL
ZSAFE
Safe distance
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11 - ROUGH PROFILE CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=11=..=Rough Profile Cycle=4,5,7,10,30,31,21,
DEPTH
Depth of Cut
ENDSUB
FEED
Feedrate
FIELD7
Start Point Z co-ordinate
FIELD8
Start Point X co-ordinate
FIELD9

0 = start point specified by current tool position
1 = billet specified by digitised position (co-ordinates held in fields 7
& 8)
2 = geometric or toolpath billet selected
FIELD12
Finish at Start or End

OFFSETX
X Axis Offset Value
OFFSETZ
Z Axis Offset Value
PATHTRACE
STARTSUB
SUBROUTINE
XEND
X Axis End Position
XSTART
ZEND
Z Axis End Position
ZSTART
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12 - TOOL DATUM
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=12=..=Tool Datum
SUBFUNCT
1 = Primary
2 = Secondary
3 = Orthogonal
Note that the user defined system variable Q69 is usually used for the tool length offset register number.
The ToolStore has been developed to make use of this and where a TLO value is entered it will be passed
through as USERVAR3.
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14 - MOVE RELATIVE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=14=..=Move Relative=4,50,49,60,59,7,5,
FEED
Feedrate
SPEED
Spindle Speed
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15 - TOOLCHANGE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=15=..=Toolchange=8,12,15,47,48,16,
These system variables are available following a %LOAD call for the current tool number.
The current tool number is the value of SUBFUNCT.
ATCSPINANGLE
Reverse unchecked = 0
Reverse checked = 180
CMT1
Cumulative tool usage at toolchange (upper)
CMT2
Cumulative tool usage at toolchange (lower)
CSS
FIELD1
Load point (two turrets on one slide)

0 = Front Load Point
1 = Rear Load Point
DIRECTION
FEEDTYPE
GEAR
Gear
GROUP

ToolChange dialog.
GROUPSTRING

the GROUP variable ('abc123def').
GROUPNUMBER

ID
The string value of the 'Code ID' modifier on the ToolChange

dialog.
IDSTRING

IDNUMBER

LIBTYPE
Set up as follows:
0 = Fixed tooling
1 = Driven Tooling
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MAXRPM
POSITION
Turret Number
STRTSTOREUSER1
STRTSTOREUSER2
SUBFUNCT
THROUGHCOOLANT
Through Tool Coolant flag from ToolStore; 0=off, 1=0n
TOOLANGLE1
Angle 1
TOOLANGLE2
Angle 2
TOOLDESCRIPTION
Set up as the name of the selected cutting tool
TOOLLIBRARY
String variable set as follows:

"" = Tooling defined within TOOLCHANGE command
Cutting Tool Name if from Cutting Tools database
Assembly Name if from Assembly database
TOOLNUM
Tooling definition
0 = Tooling defined within TOOLCHANGE command
1 = Tooling selected from the Cutting Tools database
2 = Tooling selected from Assemblies database
3 = Tooling selected from the active Kit.
TOOLOFFSET
TOOLRAD
Tool Tip Radius
TOOLTYPE
The quadrant containing the tool datum and the permitted

tool type:
0 = 090 degrees (Thread)
1 = 135 degrees (Thread, Back Turn)
2 = 180 degrees
3 = 225 degrees (Back Bore)
4 = 270 degrees (Internal Thread)
5 = 315 degrees (Bore)
6 = 000 degrees (Drill)
7 = 045 degrees (Thread, Turn)
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TOOLUNIT
Tool Unit of Measure
TOOLWIDTH
Width of Tool
TOOLXSET
Tool X Setting Distance
TOOLZSET
Tool Z Setting Distance
TSTOREUSER1
TSTOREUSER2
USERDEFINEDSTRING
Set up as the Comment modifier in the TOOLCHANGE

command
XBPIVOTLENGTH,
ZBPIVOTLENGTH
Distance back to the pivot point
XCPL, YCPL, ZCPL

coordinates.
YGAUGE
Tool Y Setting Distance
XSCRATCH, YSCRATCH,
ZSCRATCH
The tool tip position after the toolchange, in Machine Datum

coordinates.
Note that Tool Offset is now the system variable TOOLOFFSET. The modifier 12 must be defined on the macro
line to display and use this new system variable to retain compatibility with existing posts. This method of
setting tool offset replaces the use of user vars.
Note that the user defined system variable Q69 is usually used for the tool length offset register number. The
ToolStore has been developed to make use of this and where a TLO value is entered it will be passed through
as USERVAR3.
For machines with two turrets on one slide the separation must be set in the MT line and the modifier 237/176
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must be added to the macro definition line.

For example:
%MACRO=15=TL=Toolchange=8,47,48,16,237/176
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16 - SELECT TURRET
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=16=..=Select Turret
Note that this is a 4 Axis Turning Macro.
TURRET
Turret Number
0 = Upper turret
1 = Lower turret
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17 - CUT DIRECTIONS
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=17=..=Cut Directions=24,25,17,
FIELD1
Override
0 = No
1 = Yes
TOOLANGLE1
Lead angle
TOOLANGLE2
Trail angle
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18 - CLEARANCE ANGLES
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=18=..=Clearance Angles=28,29,17,
CMOVE
Overpass
FIELD1
Override
0 = No
1 = Yes
RMOVE
Drive angle
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19 - SAFE DISTANCE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=19=..=Safe Distance=1,2,3,
XSAFE
X Safe Distance
ZSAFE
Z Safe Distance
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20 - SURFACE SPEED
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=20=..=Surface Speed=13,
CSS
1 = CSS
0 = RPM
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21 - FEED TYPE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=21=..=Feed Type
SUBFUNCT
1 = Feed Per Revolution

2 = Feed Per Minute
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22 - DWELL
Recommended Syntax
DWELL
Dwell in Seconds
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23 - SYNCHRONISE TURRETS
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=23=..=Synchronise Turrets=15,40,
Note that this is a 4 Axis Turning Macro. It sets up turret priority and a comment for each synchronisation
point.
System Variables
Modified
PRIORITY
0 or 1 to indicate if a change in Priority has taken place.
PRIORITYMAIN
0 = Upper Turret, 1 = Lower Turret
PRIORITYSUB
0 = Upper Turret, 1 = Lower Turret
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24 - SELECT PRIORITY
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=24=..=Select Priority
System Variables Modified System Variable
SUBFUNCT
Determines turret selection:

1 = Upper turret
2 = Lower turret
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25 - MIRROR TURN CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=25=..=Mirror Turn Cycle=1,2,5,7,10,43,
This macro accesses the synchronisation macro.
DEPTH
Depth of Cut
FEED
Feedrate
FIELD2
Link Type:
1 = Rapid move
2 = Feed move
FIELD7
FIELD8
FIELD9

FIELD10
Corner Type
0 = Round corners
1 = Square corners
SPEED
Spindle Speed
STCOMMAND
Z Coord of Mirror Line
SUBFUNCT
XEND
X Axis End Position
ZEND
Z Axis End Position
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26 - MIRROR ROUGH TURN CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=26=..=Mirror Rough Turn Cycle=4,5,7,10,30,31,43,

DEPTH
Depth of Cut
FEED
Feedrate
FIELD2
Link Type:
1 = Rapid move
2 = Feed move
FIELD7
Billet Z co-ordinate (if FIELD9=1)
FIELD8
Billet X co-ordinate (if FIELD9=1)
FIELD9
Billet selection:
FIELD10
Corner Type
0 = Round corners
1 = Square corners
NEXTXMOVE
Next X Axis Motion
NEXTZMOVE
Next Z Axis Motion
OFFSETX
X Axis Offset Value
OFFSETZ
Z Axis Offset Value
SPEED
Spindle Speed
STCOMMAND
Z Coord of Mirror Line
SUBFUNCT
Drive Condition
XEND
X Axis End Position
XSTART
ZEND
Z Axis End Position
ZSTART
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27 - BALANCED TURN CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=27=..=Balanced Turn Cycle=1,2,5,7,10,44,

DEPTH
Depth of Cut
ENCOMMAND
Z Lead Value
FEED
Feedrate
FIELD2
Link Type:
1 = Rapid move
2 = Feed move
FIELD7
FIELD8
FIELD9
Billet selection:
FIELD10
Corner Type
0 = Round corners
1 = Square corners
SPEED
Spindle Speed
SUBFUNCT
XEND
X Axis End Position
ZEND
Z Axis End Position
ZMOVE
Z Axis Motion
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28 - BALANCED ROUGH TURN CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=28=..=Balanced Rough Turn Cycle=4,5,7,10,30,31,44,40,

DEPTH
Depth of Cut
ENCOMMAND
Z Lead Value
FEED
Feedrate
FIELD2
Link Type:
1 = Rapid move
2 = Feed move
FIELD7
Billet Z co-ordinate (if FIELD9=1)
FIELD8
Billet X co-ordinate (if FIELD9=1)
FIELD9
Billet selection:
FIELD10
Corner Type
0 = Round corners
1 = Square corners
NEXTXMOVE
Next X Axis Motion
NEXTZMOVE
Next Z Axis Motion
OFFSETX
X Axis Offset Value
OFFSETZ
Z Axis Offset Value
SPEED
Spindle Speed
SUBFUNCT
Drive Condition
XEND
X Axis End Position
XSTART
X Axis Start Position
ZEND
Z Axis End Position
ZSTART
Z Axis Start Position
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29 - RADIUSCOMP
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=29=..=Compensation
SUBFUNCT
1 = Compensation Off
2 = Compensation Left
3 = Compensation Right
4 = Pathcomp
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32 - TRANSLATE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=32=..=Translate=45,23,14,26,37,21,
ENDSUB
PATHTRACE
Output Mode
REPEAT
Number Of Repeats
STARTSUB
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
XINC
Z Translation Value
XSUB
YINC
X Translation Value
YSUB
XCURRENTPOS
ZCURRENTPOS
XEND
X End of First Move
YEND
Y End of First Move
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36 - TECHNOLOGY
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=36=..=Technology=85,
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40 - MOVE HOME
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=40=..=Move Home=
FIELD1
FIELD2

(only available for Y Axis machines).
FIELD3
FIELD4
Axis priority
0 = No priority
1 = X move first
2 = Y move first (only for Y Axis machines)
3 = Z move first
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Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=41=..=Move Toolchange
FIELD1
FIELD2

(only available for Y Axis machines).
FIELD3
FIELD4
Axis priority
0 = No priority
1 = X move first
2 = Y move first (only for Y Axis machines)
3 = Z move first
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51 - START
Recommended Syntax
System Variables
Modified
UNIT
0 = Inches
1 = Millimetres
JOBDESC
JOBCOM
Job Manager Comment
JOBFAM
Job Manager Family
JOBMACH
Job Manager Machine
JOBCUST
JOBPROG
JOBMATL
JOBREV
APPEND = #
CIRCLE = 1 or 0
Single or Multi- Quadrant Interpolation
DATE
CUSTOMERNAME
SERVERCODE
UKDATE
DAY.MONTH.YEAR
ENDSUB = 0
MACHINENAME
String variable containing code generator name
MILLMODE
0 = Rotary, 1 = Planar
NUMBLOCKS = #
NUMCHARS = #
PARTNAME
String variable containing Edgecam partname
SEQUENCENAME
String variable containing machining sequence name
STARTSUB = 0
TIME
String variable containing time at code generation time
XSUB/YSUB/ZSUB
Distance between the Initial CPL and the Machine Datum
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There are also variables which indicate how the part is loaded into the spindle, and how the transfer to the SubSpindle takes place. These variables are applicable to Advanced Turn Code Generator files only:
PARTLENGTH
Part Length
MAINPARTSTICKOUT
Stick out amount of part when loaded in the Main Spindle
SUBPARTSTICKOUT
Stick out amount of part when transferred to the Sub Spindle
MAINDATUMTOCHUCKFACE Machine Datum to Chuck Face on Main Spindle

SUBDATUMTOCHUCKFACE
MCSUBDATUMX
Machine to Sub Spindle Datum X distance
MCSUBDATUMY
Machine to Sub Spindle Datum Y distance
MCSUBDATUMZ
Machine to Sub Spindle Datum Z distance
DOCKGRIPZ
Grip Position for Sub Spindle transfer (relative to Main Spindle CPL)
MAINSAFEZ
Z Extents of safe cutting on Main Spindle.
SUBSAFEZ
Z Extents of safe cutting on Sub Spindle
PRIORITYMAIN
Which turret has priority for Main Spindle (0 = Upper, 1= Lower)
PRIORITYSUB
Which turret has priority for Sub Spindle (0 = Upper, 1= Lower)
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53 - CLW
Recommended Syntax
System Variables
Modified
ENDANGLE
The end angle of the arc (always positive and less than
STARTANGLE)
INCANGLE
STARTANGLE
Starting angle of the arc (always positive and greater than

ENDANGLE)
RADIUS
Radius of Arc
XCENTRE
XEND
XSTART
XYPLANE
Plane Switch (see the notes on TRUEARCOP).
YCENTRE
YEND
YSTART
ZCENTRE
Z Centre of Arc (ZX, ZY Arcs)
ZEND
Z Arc End (ZX, ZY Arcs)
ZSTART
Z Arc Start (ZX, ZY Arcs)
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54 - CCLW
Recommended Syntax
System Variables
Modified
ENDANGLE
The end angle of the arc (always positive and greater than
STARTANGLE)
INCANGLE
STARTANGLE
Starting angle of the arc (always positive and less than

ENDANGLE)
RADIUS
Radius of Arc
XCENTRE
XEND
XSTART
XYPLANE
Plane Switch (see the notes on TRUEARCOP).
YCENTRE
YEND
YSTART
ZCENTRE
ZEND
ZSTART
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55 - SUBSTART
Recommended Syntax
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
coordinates of this move are stored in NEXTXMOVE, NEXTYMOVE, NEXTZMOVE. It is from this point that
incremental moves in a subroutine should be calculated.
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56 - SUBEND
Recommended Syntax
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
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227
58 - END
Recommended Syntax
JOBDESC
JOBCOM
Job Manager Comment
JOBFAM
Job Manager Family
JOBMACH
Job Manager Machine
JOBCUST
JOBPROG
JOBMATL
JOBREV
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59 - SUBCALL
Recommended Syntax
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
coordinates of the move are stored in NEXTXMOVE, NEXTYMOVE, NEXTZMOVE and any positioning block
should be to that point except in the case of hole cycle position subroutines.
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60 - RESET
Recommended Syntax
PATHTRACE
SUBFUNCT
1 = Translate
2 = Rotate
3 = Mirror
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61 - CYCLSUB
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=61=..=CYCLSUB System Macro
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71 - ATTRIBUTE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=71=..=ATTRIBUTE System Macro
SUBFUNCT
Attribute type:
2 = True position (Edgecam 5 Axis extension only)
3 = Secondary feed rate
(XYFEED is also set up in MILL)
(FEED is set up in TURN)
Attributes are currently only set up by PDI executables.
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251 - Spindle Selection

%MACRO=251=..=Spindle Selection=
These system variables are available following a %GETCPL call for the current spindle number held is the
value of SUBFUNCT.
System Variables
Modified
SPINDLE
ID of the selected spindle
INDEXID
CPL ID for that spindle
GROUPDESCRIPTION
Spindle Name
XINC(1)
Absolute values from current CPL to Initial CPL
YINC
ZINC
XSUB (2)
Absolute datum origin
YSUB
ZSUB
SUBFUNCT
Current CPL/Spindle pointer
Use the %GETCPL directive with Subfunct to get information relating to the datum of the selected spindle. The
variable SPINDLE gives the ID of the selected spindle - this value can be tested against SPINDLEID1 and
SPINDLEID2 to determine which spindle has been selected.
coordinates.
origin, in current coordinates
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252 - Spindle Control

%MACRO=252=..=Spindle Control=
System Variables
Modified
DIRECTION
Spindle Direction
GEAR
Gear pointer, see below (=0 indicates automatic selection)
MAXRPM
Maximum RPM for this tool
CSS
1 = CSS mode, 0 = RPM
A new gear access array GEAR() allows Gear Definition from the %MACHINE statement to be accessed and
will give information for the currently selected spindle (or driven tool).
After use of the instruction #TEMP=GEAR(0) the number of gear ranges defined for the gear range for the
current spindle is available.
NUMGEARS Number of gear ranges defined
For any gear range further variables can then be made available by use of GEAR(NUM) where NUM is the
range number. NUM must be a positive integer between 1 and NUMGEARS inclusive.
GEARMINRPM Minimum RPM available in that gear
GEARMAXRPM Maximum RPM available in that gear
GEARUSERMAXRPM User Maximum RPM
If the GEAR required is specified by the value in GEAR then these last variables can be accessed directly
using #TEMP=GEAR(GEAR).
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254 - Spindle Docking

Note this is the single-turret version of the macro, superseded by the multi-turret version.
%MACRO=254=..=Spindle Docking=1,5,7,27,
System Variables
Modified
STRATEGY
Spindle Running = 1, Spindles Stopped = 2, Pick and Return

=3
FEED
Sub spindle movement feed in units/min
SPEED
Spindle speed in RPM
DWELL
Docking Dwell Time
CMOVE
Main Spindle C angle
WMOVE
Sub Spindle C angle
ZAPPROACH
Z Coordinate of rapid approach move
XAPPROACH
DOCKGRIPZ
Z position where sub spindle chuck is to close (Main Spindle

coordinate)
FIELD1
Push Check Distance (creep forward to contact)
FIELD2
Push Check Back Off (relief move before closing chuck)
Generally the will be 3 separate strategies for Docking (Running, Static and Pick & Return for piece parts).
These will usually be arranged through 3 matching code constructors. The actions are code generator
dependant according to the content of the Code Constructors.
Note that the X coordinate will be zero and that only movement in Z is implemented.
If spindle synchronisation is required then this must be included in the code constructor. If the spindle
synchronization has to be coordinated across both turrets as for MoriSeiki (Fanuc) controls then it will be
necessary to add the appropriate instructions to the Edgecam sequences before coding the Docking.
For example:
Back Turret
Front Turret
Turret Synch
Turret Synch
Insert Spindle Synch
Turret Synch
Turret Synch
Docking
Turret Synch
Turret Synch
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262 - Spindle Docking

Note this is the multi-turret version of the macro, superseding the single-turret version.
%MACRO=262=..=Spindle Docking=1,5,7,27,
System Variables
Modified
STRATEGY
Spindle Running = 1, Spindles Stopped = 2, Pick and Return

=3
FEED
Sub spindle movement feed in units/min
SPEED
Spindle speed in RPM
DWELL
Docking Dwell Time
CMOVE
Main Spindle C angle
WMOVE
Sub Spindle C angle
ZAPPROACH
XAPPROACH
DOCKGRIPZ
Z position where sub spindle chuck is to close (Main Spindle

coordinate)
FIELD1
Push Check Distance (creep forward to contact)
FIELD2
Push Check Back Off (relief move before closing chuck)
Generally the will be 3 separate strategies for Docking (Running, Static and Pick & Return for piece parts).
These will usually be arranged through 3 matching code constructors. The actions are code generator
dependant according to the content of the Code Constructors.
Note that the X coordinate will be zero and that only movement in Z is implemented.
If spindle synchronisation is required then this must be included in the code constructor. If the spindle
synchronization has to be coordinated across both turrets as for MoriSeiki (Fanuc) controls then it will be
necessary to add the appropriate instructions to the Edgecam sequences before coding the Docking.
For example:
Back Turret
Front Turret
Turret Synch
Turret Synch
Turret Synch
Turret Synch
Docking
Turret Synch
Turret Synch
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236
255 - Move Sub Spindle

Note this is the single-turret version of the macro, superseded by the multi-turret version.
%MACRO=255=..=Move Sub Spindle=1,5,30,59,
System Variables
Modified
FEED
Sub Spindle movement rate - units/minute
SPEED
Spindle Speed
DWELL
Program dwell time
OFFSETZ
Z position adjustment
FIELD2
Move Type Modifier, Rapid=0, Feed=1
FIELD1
Return Home Modifier, No=0, Yes=1
ZEND
Z Movement coordinate (set if FIELD1=0)
XEND
X Movement coordinate (set if FIELD1=0)
If the return to Home box has been checked in Edgecam then Field1 will be set to 1 and XEND,ZEND will not
be set.
The X coordinate will be zero and that only movement in Z is implemented.
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263 - Move Sub Spindle

Note this is the multi-turret version of the macro, superseding the single-turret version.
%MACRO=263=..=Move Sub Spindle=1,5,30,59,
System Variables
Modified
FEED
Sub Spindle movement rate - units/minute
SPEED
Spindle Speed
DWELL
Program dwell time
OFFSETZ
Z position adjustment
FIELD2
Move Type Modifier, Rapid=0, Feed=1
FIELD1
Return Home Modifier, No=0, Yes=1
ZEND
Z Movement coordinate (set if FIELD1=0)
XEND
X Movement coordinate (set if FIELD1=0)
If the return to Home box has been checked in Edgecam then Field1 will be set to 1 and XEND,ZEND will not
be set.
The X coordinate will be zero and that only movement in Z is implemented.
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256 - Bar Feed

%MACRO=256=..=Bar Feed=1,5,7,27,
System Variables
Modified
FEED
Feed rate in units/min
SPEED
Spindle speed RPM
DWELL
Dwell time
STRATEGY
Z First = 1, X First = 2, Direct = 3
ZAPPROACH
Z Coordinate, rapid approach
XAPPROACH
X Coordinate, rapid approach
ZSTART
Z Coordinate, start of bar feed
XSTART
X Coordinate, start of bar feed
ZEND
Z Coordinate, end of bar feed
XEND
X Coordinate, end of bar feed
The action is code generator dependant but generally the expected result is to rapid move to
XAPPROACH,ZAPPROACH and then feed to contact with the bar at XSTART, ZSTART. The chuck will then
be opened and a feed move made to XEND,ZEND where the chuck will close. The following 3 macros were
previously in the User Defined group and have now been changed to Edgecam executive macros.
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257 - Chuck
%MACRO=257=..=Chuck=
System Variables
Modified
FIELD 1
1= Chuck Open, 2= Chuck Closed
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258 - Part Catcher

%MACRO=258=..=Part Catcher=
System Variables
Modified
FIELD 1
1= catcher Advance, 2= Catcher Retract
FIELD 2
1=Eject Part
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259 - Tailstock
%MACRO=259=..=Tailstock=
System Variables
Modified
FIELD 1
1 = Tailstock Advance, 2= Tailstock Retract)
FIELD 2
1 = Quil
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264 - Bar Pull

%MACRO=264=..=Bar Pull 4-Axis=1,5,59,
System Variable
Modified
FIELD1
Datum Shift Flag 0= no shift 1= datum shift
FIELD2
Feed/Rapid flag. 0=Rapid move, =1 for

feed move
ZEND
End position
FEED
SPEED
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C/Y Axis Macro Numbers

The Code Generator source file definitions are exclusively in the range of 151 to 200. With the additional macro
CX.OUTPUT most machine tool configurations can be supported. These macros encompass functionality
offered by driven tooling and the macro numbers are in general 150 higher than the equivalent milling macro.
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C/Y Axis Limitations

The C/Y Axis extension does not support Mirror, Translate or Rotate milling type operations, and therefore the
definitions should not be included in the text source file.
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CAXIS
The CAXIS system variable is assigned a value which relates to the type of machining currently active:
0 = Static (Milling or Turning) Tool
1 = Axial/Reverse Axial, Driven (0 or 180)
2 = Radial/Reverse Radial, Driven (90 or 270)
3 = Other Orientation (B AXIS), Driven
0 = Normal Turning
1 = Axial Machining
2 = Radial Machining
The following macro definitions assign a value to CAXIS (therefore the variable should not be assigned by the
user):
%MACRO=43=AX/RD=Axial/Radial C-axis machining=
(And 193)
%MACRO=45=..=Move Angular=5,6,7,
%MACRO=253=..=Lathe Index=..
%MACRO=165=..=Tool Change=..
These values are maintained while processing for reference by the code generator file.
CAXIS can be tested and conditional actions can be executed.
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Y Axis
Edgecam is switched between Y Axis and C Axis milling by the use of the SELECT MILL MODE macro. This
sets up SUBFUNCT as 0 for C Axis and 1 for Y Axis milling (the default condition is C Axis). A user variable
should be set to flag that status in other macros.
For example:
%MACRO=44=..=SELECT MILL MODE...etc.
%IF SUBFUNCT=1 %THEN #YAXIS=1 %ELSE #YAXIS=0
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%CXCYCLE
This statement is used to force output of axial motion in terms of C Axis motion and the radial length, the polar
co-ordinate system.
%CXCYCLE is used to calculate axial movements for controllers that do not support the Cartesian co-ordinate
system, therefore the output must be expressed in the polar co-ordinate system.
%CXCYCLE action is similar the %NOCYCLE command but redirection is effected through the macro
CX.OUTPUT (macro number 66).
The macro definition CX.OUTPUT must be written in the text source file to enable the redirection to occur.
Example:
%MACRO=164=..=4,64,65,59,60,7,5,62,
%IF CAXIS=1 %THEN %CXCYCLE %ELSE %NOCYCLE
%ENDM
In the above example, redirection to the macro definition CX.OUTPUT will only occur when set to Axial mode.
It is also important to understand the consequence of %NOCYCLE when encountered in C/Y Axis mode.
Redirection will occur through macros 1 and 2, and it is therefore necessary to test the system variable CAXIS
in macros 1 and 2 which must call a user-defined procedure to effect axis output.
If the Code Generator does not require %CXCYCLE, it can be disabled in switch 20 of the MM line for faster
processing (see MM Line).
Controller compensation is available in Radial and Axial modes.
supported when using CXCYCLE in Axial Turning.
Edgecam User Guide
Note that Controller compensation is not
248
C Axis - Angular Co-ordinates

When processing arc or linear movement in CAXIS, the position expressed in angular co-ordinates is made
available. The additional variables are as follows:
Linear Motion
CMOVE Angle
RMOVE Radius
ROT1 Rotary angle (same as CMOVE but is available for compatibility with rotary milling)
Arc Motion
CSTART
RSTART
CCENTRE
RCENTRE
CEND
REND
Edgecam User Guide
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C Axis Macro Syntax

%MACRO=[macro number]=..=[long description]=[variables...]
For example:
%MACRO=1=..=RAPID=1,2,3,
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250
C Axis Macro Reference

Expand the C Axis Macro Reference book in the Table of Contents to see the full list of C axis macro
reference topics.
Edgecam User Guide
251
38 - ROTARY ROTATE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=38=..=Rotary Rotate=1,2,14,26,24,37,
Only supports the %NOCYCLE directive.
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252
43 - AXIAL OR RADIAL MODE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=43=..=Axial or Radial Mode
CAXIS
C Axis Implemented Flag

1 = Axial
2 = Radial
SUBFUNCT
This macro is called following a toolchange between either fixed and driven tooling or between axially and
radially loaded tooling.
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44 - SELECT MILL MODE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=44=..=Select Mill Mode
SUBFUNCT
0 = Rotary, Z X & C interpolation
1 = Planar, Z X & Y interpolation
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45 - MOVE ANGULAR
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=45=..=Move Angular=5,6,7,59,
Re-direction MUST occur using the %NOCYCLE command.
AMOVE
BMOVE
CMOVE
FEED
RMOVE
ROT1
Angular position
SPEED
ZFEED
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49 - RESET ROTARY DATUM

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=49=..=RESET ROTARY DATUM
CMOVE
Rotary axis
ROT1
Primary rotary axis
Both ROT1 and CMOVE will be updated with the new angular position obtained from this command.
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256
53 - CLW
Recommended Syntax
RADIUS
Radius of Arc
XCENTRE
XEND
XSTART
XYPLANE
Plane Switch (see the notes on TRUEARCOP)
ZCENTRE
ZEND
ZSTART
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54 - CCLW
Recommended Syntax
RADIUS
Radius of Arc
XCENTRE
XEND
XSTART
XYPLANE
Plane Switch (see the notes on TRUEARCOP)
ZCENTRE
ZEND
ZSTART
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66 - CX.OUTPUT
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=66=..=CX.OUTPUT
CMOVE
C Axis Motion
RMOVE
Radial Motion
ROT1
Rotary axis motion
SUBFUNCT
1 = Rapid Motion
2 = Feedrate Linear Motion
3 = Feedrate Arc Motion
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259
69 - ANGCLW
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=69=..=ANGCLW
CEND
C Arc End
CIRCLE
CSTART / CCENTRE
C Arc Coords
RADIUS
Radius of Arc

BMOVE / CMOVE
Angular position
WRAPRADIUS
Wrap radius value
XEND
XSTART / XCENTRE
X Arc Coords
ZEND
Z Arc End
ZSTART / ZCENTRE
Z Arc Coords
This macro will only be visited if wrapped geometry is machined at the depth at which the original geometry
was wrapped, or switch 17 on the MM line has been set to 1 (see Rotary Output Mode)
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70 - ANGCCLW
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=70=..=ANGCCLW
CEND
C Arc End
CIRCLE
CSTART / CCENTRE
C Arc Coords
RADIUS
Radius of Arc

BMOVE / CMOVE
Angular position
WRAPRADIUS
Wrap radius value
XEND
XSTART / XCENTRE
X Arc Coords
ZEND
Z Arc End
ZSTART / ZCENTRE
Z Arc Coords
This macro will only be visited if wrapped geometry is machined at the depth at which the original geometry
was wrapped, or switch 17 on the MM line has been set to 1 (see Rotary Output Mode)
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151 - MOVE RAPID

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=151=..=Move Rapid=1,2,3
Redirection must occur by using the %NOCYCLE command. Axis output is then effected by testing the system
variable CAXIS within the RAPID macro (1) and finally calling a procedure.
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152 - MOVE FEED

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=152=..=Move Feed=1,2,3,5,6,7,61,62,
FEED
Z Axis Feedrate
SPEED
Spindle Speed
Redirection must occur by using the %NOCYCLE command. Axis output is then effected by testing the
system variable CAXIS within the FEED macro (2) and finally calling a procedure.
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153 - MOVE ARC

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=153=..=Move Arc=1,2,5,7,62,
FEED
SPEED
Spindle Speed
Edgecam User Guide
264
155 - PROFILE CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=155=..=Profile Cycle=4,5,6,7,63,64,65,21,72,74,75,62,
FEED
Axis Feedrate
SPEED
Spindle Speed
TOTDEPTH
Total Depth
ZFEED
Z Axis Feedrate
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156 - AREACLEAR CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=156=..=Areaclear Cycle=4,5,6,7,63,64,66,72,62,
FEED
Axis Feedrate
SPEED
Spindle Speed
TOTDEPTH
Total Depth
ZFEED
Z Axis Feedrate
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266
157 - SLOT CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=157=..=Slot Cycle=4,5,6,7,63,64,66,72,62,
FEED
Axis Feedrate
SPEED
Spindle Speed
TOTDEPTH
Total Depth
ZFEED
Z Axis Feedrate
This macro should only consist of the %NOCYCLE command.
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267
158 - CROSSHATCH CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=158=..=Crosshatch Cycle=4,5,6,7,9,62,63,64,66,81,
OFFSET
Offset Value
SPEED
Spindle Speed
STEP
XYFEED
XY Plane Feed
ZDEPTH
Z Height of Cut
ZFEED
Z Axis Feed
Edgecam User Guide
268
159 - DRILL CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=159=..=Drill Cycle=4,6,7,63,10,27,21,73,76,77,50,53|176,
DEPTH
Depth of Peck
DRILLSUB
Subroutine indicator
0 = Longhand code
1 = Subroutines present
DWELL
Dwell in Seconds
FEED
Feedrate
LAST
Number of Points
PATHTRACE
RPLANE
Retract Plane
SPEED
Spindle Speed
TOTDEPTH
Total Z Axis Depth
XPOINT(#)
X Axis Point*
YPOINT(#)
Y Axis Point*
ZCLEAR
Z Clearance Plane
ZFEED
Z Axis Feed
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160 - CHIPBREAK CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=160=..=Chipbreak Cycle=4,6,7,63,10,27,21,73,76,77,50,53|176,200,201,
DEPTH
Depth of Peck
DRILLSUB
0 = Longhand code
DWELL
Dwell in Seconds
FEED
Feedrate
LAST
Number of Points
MRPLANE(#)
MZDEPTH(#)
PATHTRACE
RPLANE
Retract Plane
SPEED
Spindle Speed
TOTDEPTH
Total Z Axis Depth, if multilevel not selected
XPOINT(#)
X Axis Point*
YPOINT(#)
Y Axis Point*
ZCLEAR
Z Clearance Plane
ZFEED
Z Axis Feed
ZLEVEL

Edgecam User Guide
270
161 - REAM CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=161=..=Ream Cycle=4,6,7,63,21,76,77,50,53|176,200,201,
DRILLSUB
0 = Longhand code
LAST
Number of Points
MRPLANE(#)
MZDEPTH(#)
PATHTRACE
RPLANE
Retract Plane
SPEED
Spindle Speed
TOTDEPTH
XPOINT(#)
X Axis Point*
YPOINT(#)
Y Axis Point*
ZCLEAR
Z Clearance Plane
ZFEED
Z Axis Feed
ZLEVEL

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271
162 - BORE CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=162=..=Bore Cycle=4,6,7,63,21,76,77,50,53|176,200,201,
DRILLSUB
0 = Longhand code
FEED
Feedrate
LAST
Number of Points
MRPLANE(#)
MZDEPTH(#)
PATHTRACE
RPLANE
Retract Plane
SPEED
Spindle Speed
TOTDEPTH
XPOINT(#)
X Axis Point*
YPOINT(#)
Y Axis Point*
ZCLEAR
Z Clearance Plane
ZFEED
Z Axis Feed
ZLEVEL

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272
163 - TAP CYCLE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=163=..=Tap Cycle=4,6,7,63,21,76,77,
DRILLSUB
0 = Longhand code
LAST
Number of Points
PATHTRACE
RPLANE
Retract Plane
SPEED
Spindle Speed
TOTDEPTH
Total Z Axis Depth
XPOINT(#)
X Axis Point*
YPOINT(#)
Y Axis Point*
ZCLEAR
Z Clearance Plane
ZFEED
Z Axis Feed
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164 - MOVE RELATIVE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=164=..=Move Relative=4,64,65,59,60,7,5,62,
FEED
Axis Feedrate
SPEED
Spindle Speed
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165 - TOOLCHANGE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=165=..=Toolchange=8,12,80,48,
These system variables are available following a %LOAD call for the current tool number. The current tool
number is the value of SUBFUNCT.
When indexing with driven tooling, the variables BMOVE and CMOVE give the requested orientation after
toolchange.
CMT1
Cumulative Tool Usage at Toolchange in Minutes
CSS
CORNERRAD
Corner radius of selected tool (or #FUNNY)
DIRECTION
FEEDTYPE
FLUTELENGTH
Flute Length
GEAR
Gear
GROUP

ToolChange dialog.
GROUPSTRING

the GROUP variable ('abc123def')
GROUPNUMBER

ID
The string value of the 'Code ID' modifier on the ToolChange

dialog.
IDSTRING

IDNUMBER

MAINTAININDEX
Setting of the Maintain Index checkbox used in the

Toolchange command.
0 = unchecked
1 = checked
MAXRPM
POSITION
Turret Number
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275
STRTSTOREUSER1
STRTSTOREUSER2
SUBFUNCT
THROUGHCOOLANT
Through Tool Coolant flag from ToolStore, 0=off, 1=0n
TOOLOFFSET
TSTOREUSER1
TSTOREUSER2
TOOLDESCRIPTION
Toolname
TOOLEN
Tool Length Setting
TOOLNUM
Tool Library Number
TOOLRAD
Tool Radius
TOOLTYPE
The quadrant containing the tool and the permitted tool type
0 = 090 degrees (Thread)
1 = 135 degrees (Thread, Back Turn)
2 = 180 degrees
3 = 225 degrees (Back Bore)
4 = 270 degrees
5 = 315 degrees (Bore)
6 = 000 degrees (Drill)
7 = 045 degrees (Thread, Turn)
TOOLXSET
Y Gauge Length
TOOLZSET
Z Gauge Length
USERDEFINEDSTRING
Comment
XBPIVOTLENGTH,
ZBPIVOTLENGTH
Distance back to the pivot point
XCPL, YCPL, ZCPL

coordinates.
XSCRATCH, YSCRATCH,
ZSCRATCH
The tool tip position after the toolchange, in Machine Datum

coordinates.
Note: Tool Offset is now the system variable TOOLOFFSET. The modifier 12 must be defined on the macro
line to display and use this new system variable to retain compatibility with existing posts. This method of
setting tool offset replaces the use of user vars.
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166 - SELECT TURRET

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=166=..=Select Turret
SUBFUNCT
1 = Upper turret
2 = Lower Turret
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172 - DWELL
Recommended Syntax
DWELL
Dwell in Seconds
Edgecam User Guide
278
182 - TRANSLATE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=182=..=Translate=43,44,45,14,26,37,21,
PATHTRACE
REPEAT
Number of Repeats
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
XINC
X Translation Value
XSUB
YINC
Y Translation Value
YSUB
ZINC
Z Translation Value
ZSUB
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186 - TECHNOLOGY
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=186=..=Technology
Edgecam User Guide
280
187 - THREAD MILLING

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=187=..=Thread Mill=7,
Field 1
Clearance
Field 2
Retract
Field 3
Diameter
Field 4
Level
Field 5
Depth of Thread
Field 6
Pitch
This macro will either set up the data array for machines which are capable of helical interpolation, or direct the
output through %NOCYCLE. If the user selects 'canned cycle' processing takes place using the array
described below, otherwise output is via RAPID and FEED macros.
Pathtrace
0 = Helical interpolation
1 = Pathtrace expansion to linear moves (use NOCYCLE
command)
For machines which are capable of helical interpolation the following applies:
The System variable XPOINT(#) must be tested for the type of movement being output.
LAST
Number of elements in the array
XPOINT(#)
0 = Rapid
1 = Feed
2 = Clockwise direction arc
3 = Counterclockwise direction arc
4 = Clockwise direction helical arc
5 = Counterclockwise direction helical arc
(#) is the subscript to gain access to a particular element.

The array comprises elements of three variables each. Each move type will occupy 2 or more elements, as
follows:
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Rapid
Feed
CLW
CCLW
Helical CLW
Helical CCLW
Element
XPOINT(#)
YPOINT(#)
RADIUS(#)
Feedrate
X Destination
Y Destination
Z Destination
Feedrate
X Destination
Y Destination
Z Destination
Feedrate
X Centre
Y Centre
Radius
X Destination
Y Destination
Not used
Feedrate
X Centre
Y Centre
Radius
X Destination
Y Destination
Not used
Feedrate
X Centre
Y Centre
Not used
X Destination
Y Destination
Z Destination
Start Radius
End Radius
Not used
Feedrate
X Centre
Y Centre
Not used
X Destination
Y Destination
Z Destination
Start Radius
End Radius
Not used
Field 1
Clearance
Field 2
Retract
Field 3
Diameter
Field 4
Level
Field 5
Depth of Thread
Field 6
Pitch
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190 - MOVE HOME

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=190=..=Move Home
FIELD1
FIELD2
FIELD3
FIELD4
Axis priority
0 = No priority
1 = X move first
2 = Y move first
3 = Z move first
Edgecam User Guide
283

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=191=..=Move Toolchange=
FIELD1
FIELD2
FIELD3
FIELD4
Axis priority
0 = No priority
1 = X move first
2 = Y move first
3 = Z move first
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193 - TURNING AXIAL OR RADIAL MODE

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=193=..=Turning Axial or Radial Mode
CAXIS
C Axis Implemented Flag

0 = Turning
1 = Axial
2 = Radial
SUBFUNCT
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196 - MOVE RELATIVE 2

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=196=..=Move Relative 2=4,59,7,5,
FIELD2
Move type
1 = Feed
0 = Rapid
SPEED
XYFEED
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197 - MOVE CONSTRAINED

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=197=..=Move Constrained=4,59,7,5,
FIELD2
Move type
1 = Feed
0 = Rapid
SPEED
XYFEED
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253 - B Axis Index

%MACRO=253=..=B Axis Index=
System Variables
Modified
SUBFUNCT
Current CPL pointer
BMOVE (ROT1)
Baxis angle
CMOVE (ROT2)
Caxis angle (current spindle)
XINC(1)
Absolute values from current CPL to Initial CPL
YINC
ZINC
XSUB (2)
Absolute datum origin
YSUB
ZSUB
XSUBTURN (3)
CY milling reference position
YSUBTURN
ZSUBTURN
XCPL, YCPL, ZCPL
The tool tip position after the index, in current CPL

coordinates.
The B-axis indexing macro uses %GETCPL to get information relating to the new B-axis Datum. The Angles
are setup in ROT1,ROT2 as has historically been the case with %GETCPL - however to make things easier the
variables BMOVE and CMOVE are set up as well (this also applies for CY Milling).
coordinates.
origin, in current coordinates.
(3) The system variables XSUBTURN, YSUBTURN, ZSUBTURN contain the distances from the CPL turn
origin (or currently selected Spindle) to the origin of the new Coordinate system. Any C rotation is discounted,
with so the values are calculated as if the component was rotated to C0.
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Wire Notes
Output for wire erosion machines is different to that of either Milling and Turning. Pathtrace have developed a
method to access data, which is used in EDGEWIRE.WXT. What follows is a description of this technique, and
we recommend that it is used in all Edgecam Wire Code Generators.
Four axis CNC output is performed through two macros, Macro 17, Machine Design and Macro 26, Cut Glue
Stop.
Information about the upper and lower profiles is made available in the XPOINT(), YPOINT(), ZPOINT() array.
All data required for both cycle output and expanded output (that is, point to point links for XYUV output) is
contained within this array. This array is composed of the three variables and is of variable length.
For each pair of entities being linked (upper and lower), the X, Y ,ZPOINT() array is filled with:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Header block.
Block for the XY entity.
Block for the UV entity.
Block of expanded data required for longhand output.
The array is loaded from element one through to the value indicated by the system variable LAST.
Guide height values are only applied to longhand output. Code Generators working at guide heights should
have taper mode disabled and 4-axis circular arcs should be converted to linear moves.
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Wire Array Structure

The first block of data is a header block. The external procedure GETHEADER reads this and sets up these
user variables:
Procedure: GETHEADER
Index
XPOINT()
YPOINT()
ZPOINT()
#XYSTARTBEAR
#XYENDBEAR
#UVSTARTBEAR
Start bearing of XY element
End bearing of XY element
Start bearing of UV element
#UVENDBEAR
#STARTLEAD
#ENDLEAD
End bearing of UV element
Start lead angle
End lead angle
#STARTSIDE
#ENDSIDE
#XYUVPAIRS
Start side angle
End side angle
Number of xyuv pairs for long

hand output
#XYELEMENT
#UVELEMENT
#TYPE
Element type on XY profile, see Element type on UV profile,

below
see below
Element type couple
#XYNEXTSTARTBEAR
Not used
#UVNEXTSTARTBEAR
See below
Start bearing of next XY element End bearing of next UV

element
6
#XYNEXTELEMENT
#UVNEXTELEMENT
Next element type on XY profile Next element type on UV

profile
#NEXTTYPE
Next element couple type
Edgecam Wire Erosion can effectively link any two of four entity types to each other, giving a possible sixteen
combinations, for example a Line can be linked to a Point.
The four entities are POINT, LINE, ARC, and CONIC (not arc). The user defined variable #TYPE is set up to
identify which type of link is occurring:
#TYPE
XY
UV
Line
16
Point
32
Arc
64
Conic
128
#TYPE returns the sum of the XY and UV couple.

For example:
%IF #TYPE=33 %THEN %CALL=LINE_TO_POINT
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When TYPE is checked, an internal procedure to handle this case can be called. Within this procedure, a
check is made to determine whether to use long hand output or cycle output.
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Wire Cycle Output

The external procedure GETHEADER checks both #XYELEMENT and #UVELEMENT, then calls a procedure
for each type. These external procedures are:
Procedure : XYLINE
Index
XPOINT()
YPOINT()
ZPOINT()
#XSTART
#YSTART
#ZSTART
X start of line
Y start of line
Z start of line
#XEND
#YEND
#ZEND
X end of line
Y end of line
X end of line
Procedure : UVLINE
Index
XPOINT()
YPOINT()
ZPOINT()
#USTART
#VSTART
#WSTART
U start of line
V start of line
W start of line
#UEND
#VEND
#WEND
U end of line
V end of line
W end of line
Procedure : XYARC
Index
XPOINT()
YPOINT()
ZPOINT()
#XCENTRE
#YCENTRE
#XYRADIUS
X centre of arc
Y centre of arc
Radius
#XEND
#YEND
Not used
X end of arc
Y end of arc
XYARCSTARTANGLE
#XYARCENDANGLE
#XYELLIPENDARC
XY arc start angle
XY arc end angle
only set up if #XYELEMENT=15

(CONIC)
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Procedure : UVARC
Index
XPOINT()
YPOINT()
ZPOINT()
#UCENTRE
#VCENTRE
#UVRADIUS
U centre of arc
V centre of arc
Radius
#UEND
#VEND
Not used
U end of arc
V end of arc
UVARCSTARTANGLE
#UVARCENDANGLE
#UVELLIPENDARC
UV arc start angle
UV arc end angle
only set up if #UVELEMENT=15

(CONIC)
Procedure : XYPOINT
Index
XPOINT()
YPOINT()
ZPOINT()
#XPOINT
#YPOINT
#ZPOINT
X point
Y point
Z point
Procedure : UVPOINT
Index
XPOINT()
YPOINT()
ZPOINT()
#UPOINT
#VPOINT
#WPOINT
U point
V point
W point
At this point all applicable user defined variables are now initialised. Therefore in the example under Array
Structure where #TYPE = 33 we would call the procedures XYLINE and UVPOINT.
Other procedures used in WIREDATA.MAC are:
%PROCEDURE = CALC_ARC_CORNER
This calculates the corner point on a blend radius between two lines and the start point of an arc.
These variables are set up:

#XSTART
#YSTART
#XCORNER
#YCORNER
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Use the procedure by:

%CALL = CALC_ARC_CORNER
%PROCEDURE = TEST_ARC
This procedure should be used to determine if the arc to arc move can be supported via the control or if long
hand output is required.
TEST_ARC sets up a variable #ARCTYPE which returns the value:
Unsupported arc #ARCTYPE=0
Standard 2D arc #ARCTYPE =1
Standard taper conical #ARCTYPE = 2
Standard taper cylinder #ARCTYPE = 3
Taper with different start/end tapers #ARCTYPE = 4
%CALL = TEST_ARC
%PROCEDURE = WIRE_VECTOR
This procedure calculates the IJK vectors of the wire.
Values returned are:
#IVECTOR = X
#JVECTOR = Y
#KVECTOR = Z
(The resultant is a unit vector.)
%CALL = WIRE_VECTOR
The vectors are calculated from #XEND #YEND Z U V W
Ensure that these variables are correctly set before calling this procedure.
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Expanded CNC Output for Wire

Immediately following the Cycle information, data in expanded form links the elements by using the selected
tolerance to generate line-to-line movement.
If you do not need expanded output, call the external procedure SKIP_LONG_HAND. This increments the array
over the expanded data and sets the array index #LOOP to the next header block.
The size and number of links is dependent on the system variable TOLERANCE (selected by the user). The
following variables will be set up until the next header is encountered:
Procedure : GETPAIR
Index
XPOINT()
YPOINT()
ZPOINT()
#XEND
#YEND
#ZEND
#UEND
#VEND
#WEND
All link types which include conics should be forced to be long hand code, using an internal procedure
LONG_HAND. This procedure in turn calls the external procedure GET_PAIR to process the expanded links.
Edgecam User Guide
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Wire Macro Syntax

%MACRO=[macro number]=..=[Description]=[variables...]
For example:
%MACRO=17=..=Machine=5,12,21,24,25,
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296
Wire Macro Reference

Expand the Wire Macro Reference book in the Table of Contents to see the full list of Wire macro reference
topics.
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297
1 - MOVE RAPID
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=1=..=Rapid Move=
XMOVE
X Axis Motion
YMOVE
Y Axis Motion
Edgecam User Guide
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2 - MOVE FEED
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=2=..=Feed Move=5,
FIELD 12
SUBFUNCT
0 = Not a lead move

1 = Lead in move
2 = Lead out move
XMOVE
X Axis Motion
XYFEED
XY Axis Feed
YMOVE
Y Axis Motion
Edgecam User Guide
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3 - MOVE ARC
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=3=..=Circular Feed Move=5,
RADIUS
Radius of Arc
XCENTRE
X Centre of Arc
XEND
X Arc End
XSTART
X Arc Start
XYFEED
XY Axis Feed
YCENTRE
Y Centre of Arc
YEND
Y Arc End
YSTART
Y Arc Start
Edgecam User Guide
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5 - 2D PROFILE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=5=..=2D Profile=4,5,12,13,21,24,25,
NONE
This cycle only supports %NOCYCLE. This means that the wire moves are redirected to the Feed (macro 2),
Rapid (macro 1), CLW (macro 53) and CCLW (macro 54) macros. Provision will have to made within the
redirected macros CLW and CCLW for control of the CNC code.
The syntax for the macro is:
%MACRO=5=..=2D Profile=4,5,12,13,21,24,25,
%NOCYCLE
%ENDM
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6 - 2D DESTRUCT
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=6=..=2D Destruct=4,5,12,16,
NONE
This cycle only supports %NOCYCLE. This means that the wire moves are redirected to the Feed (macro 2),
Rapid (macro 1), CLW (macro 53) and CCLW(macro 54) macros. Provision will have to made within the
redirected macros CLW and CCLW for control of the CNC code.
The syntax for the macro is:
%MACRO=6=..=2D Destruct=4,5,12,16,
%NOCYCLE
%ENDM
Edgecam User Guide
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15 - MACHINING CONDITIONS
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=15=..=Machining Conditions=47,170,171,
LOWERWIRE
Lower guide
UPPERWIRE
Upper guide
WIREDIAM
Wire Diameter
Edgecam User Guide
303
17 - MACHINE DESIGN
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=17=..=Machine Design=5,12,21,47,101,177,
COMP
Controller Radius Compensation
FIELD1
Lead in Angle
FEILD2
Lead in Radius
FIELD3
Lead in Length
FIELD4
Lead in Angle
FIELD5
Lead in Radius
FIELD6
Lead out Length
FIELD7
Stop Size
FIELD8
Constant Cut
FPASS
Number of Passes
LACECUT
Constant cut
LAST
Number of elements in the XPOINT array
OFFSET
Offset amount
PATHTRACE
Pathtrace Compensation
SUBFUNCT
Design Type
4 = Link Profile
5 = Taper Profile
6 = Transform Profile
TOLERANCE
Tolerance
XPOINT()
Variable, see Wire Erosion notes
XYFEED
XY Axis Feed
YPOINT()
Variable
ZPOINT()
Variable
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22 - DWELL
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=22=..=DWELL=27,
DWELL
Dwell Time in Seconds
Edgecam User Guide
305
26 - CUT SUPPORT TAG

Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=26=..=Cut Support Tag=5,12,21,24,25,
COMP
Controller Radius Compensation
FIELD1
Lead in Angle
FIELD2
Lead in Radius
FIELD3
Lead in Length
FIELD4
Lead in Angle
FIELD5
Lead in Radius
FIELD6
Lead out Length
OFFSET
Offset amount
PATHTRACE
Pathtrace Compensation
SUBFUNCT
Design type
4 = Link Profile
5 = Taper Profile
6 = Transformed Profile
TOLERANCE
Tolerance
XYFEED
XY Axis Feed
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29 - COMPENSATION
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=29=..=Compensation=
COMP
Assigned as selected:
1 = None
2 = Left
3 = Right
Edgecam User Guide
307
32 - TRANSLATE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=32=..=Translate=43,44,14,26,37,21,
PATHTRACE
REPEAT
Number of Repeats
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
XINC
X Translation Value
YINC
Y Translation Value
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33 - ROTATE
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=33=..=Rotate=1,2,14,26,24,37,21,
ANGLE
Angle of Rotation
PATHTRACE
REPEAT
Number of Repeats
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
XCENTRE
X Coord of Rotation
XSUB
YCENTRE
Y Coord of Rotation
YSUB
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34 - MIRROR
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=34=..=Mirror=1,2,14,26,21,
PATHTRACE
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
XEND
X Coord of Second Point
XSTART
XSUB
X Coord of First Machining Position
YEND
Y Coord of Second Point
YSTART
YSUB
Y Coord of First Machining Position
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40 - MOVE HOME
Recommended Syntax
%MACRO=40=..=Rapid To Wire Home=
XHOME
X Axis Motion
YHOME
Y Axis Motion
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311
51 - START
Recommended Syntax
System Variables
Modified
LOWERWIRE
Lower Wire Guide Position
UNIT
0 = Inches
1 = Millimetres
UPPERWIRE
Upper Wire Guide Position
UVPLANE
Upper Profile Level
XYPLANE
Lower Profile Level
CUSTOMERNAME
SERVERCODE
Pseudo Systems
APPEND = #
CIRCLE = [1/0]
Single/Multi Quadrant Interpolation
DATE
UKDATE
DAY.MONTH.YEAR
ENDSUB = 0
MACHINENAME
String variable containing code generator name.
MACRONAMEOP=0
No Debug output to CNC File
MACRONAMEOP=1
All Macro Executions output to CNC File
MACRONAMEOP=2
Macro Executions output only if MASK=0
NUMBLOCKS = #
NUMCHARS = #
PARTNAME
String variable containing Edgecam partname.
SEQUENCENAME
String variable containing machining sequence name.
STARTSUB = 0
TIME
String variable containing time at code generation time.
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53 - CLW
Recommended Syntax
FIELD 12
SUBFUNCT
0 = Not a lead move

1 = Lead in move
2 = Lead out move
Edgecam User Guide
313
54 - CCLW
Recommended Syntax
FIELD 12
SUBFUNCT
0 = Not a lead move

1 = Lead in move
2 = Lead out move
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55 - SUBSTART
Recommended Syntax
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
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315
56 - SUBEND
Recommended Syntax
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
Edgecam User Guide
316
58 - END
Recommended Syntax
Edgecam User Guide
317
59 - SUBCALL
Recommended Syntax
SUBROUTINE
Subroutine Number
Edgecam User Guide
318
60 - RESET
Recommended Syntax
PATHTRACE
SUBFUNCT
1 = Translate
2 = Rotate
3 = Mirror
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319
File Menu Commands in the Code Generator

Select Code Generator - Selects the Code Generator source file to be compiled.
Print - Sends the current file to the printer.
Print Preview - Shows how the current file would appear if sent to the printer.
Print Setup - Configures the printer setup.
Compile - Displays a dialog box containing the file compilation options. An input file is selected and the
filenames for all other options are automatically entered. These filenames default to the same name as the
input filename followed by the appropriate extension. The name can be re-specified by the user if required.
This option is applicable to the Code Generator Compiler only, and will be greyed out if you do not have a
licence.
Exit - Returns to the previous application.
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View Menu Commands in the Code Generator

Toolbar - Shows/hides the Toolbar.
Status Bar - Shows/hides the Status bar.
Large Icons - Uses the larger of the two icon sets for the Code Generator's buttons.
Tool Tips - Allows command names to be displayed if you hold the cursor over a button.
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Options Menu Commands in the Code Generator

Re-run - Regenerates the CNC code using the data files for the last code generation. This forces a recompilation of the Code Generator file if the date and time of the source is later that of the Code Generator.
Pause - Pauses\continues the active process. This lets you inspect the information displayed in the text box.
Use the horizontal and vertical scroll bars to move up and down the file.
Stop - Aborts the process.
Remove Unused Variables - Instructs the compiler to remove any duplicate or unused variables from the
source file (*.?xt)
Quick Compile - Forces a quicker compilation by displaying the minimum amount of feedback in the viewing
window.
Specify Output Filename - Selecting this Code Generator Compiler-only option displays a dialog box similar to
this after you click on the Compile button:
Enter a different name for the compiled Code Generator file. If this option is not selected, the source filename
will be used by default.
Edgecam User Guide

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1

Welcome to Code Generator Compiler

Edgecam User Guide

Generating CNC Code

Edgecam User Guide

About Source Files

Edgecam User Guide

File Naming Conventions

2 or 4-axis & C-axis Turning

Edgecam User Guide

Structure of Source Files

Edgecam User Guide

Edgecam User Guide

Edgecam User Guide

Edgecam User Guide

Setting the Machine Tool Environment

Edgecam User Guide

MM (Machine Details Line)

Maximum Rapid Rate

Maximum Spindle RPM

Maximum Angular Feed

Resolve rapid movement

Obsolescent - only used by

Profile or Guide Height

90 degree Lead in approach

Rotary output mode

See Rotary Output Mode

See Maximum Programmable

Radial Arc Output

Edgecam User Guide

Spline output support

See Spline Output

0 = Not supported; output as

Default CNC Code filename

The text of the extension.

Machine coordinate output

Machine coordinate output

0=Pivot around Tooltip

1=Abs Pivot Point

Inverse Time Feedrates

Use IJK in 5 Axis

CRC Corner Display

Multiplane coordinate output

See Default CNC Code Filename

Edgecam User Guide

Pivot about Tool Tip

Always Reset Rotary Datum

CRC support in helical milling

Here is an example MM line:

Edgecam User Guide

Compatibility (Position 8 of the MM Line)

Simple Index disabled. (Milling only)

Simple Index enabled. (Milling only)

Enables Reverse Offset. (Milling only)

Enable Edgecam Version 4 controller compensation enhancements. (Milling only)

Edgecam User Guide

Code Generators Configured for Rotary and Multiplane Machining

Edgecam User Guide

Move Angular macros.