UCCNC Software Installation and User's Guide

UCCNC software installation and user's guide
Version of this software manual: 1.0046

Software version: 1.2111
Supported motion controllers:

● UC100 ● UC300ETH – 5LPT
● UC300 – 5LPT ● UC300ETH – M44
● UC300 – M44 ● UC300ETH - 5441
● UC300 - 5441 ● UC300ETH - M45
● UC400ETH ● UC300ETH - UB1
● AXBB
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Contents
1.Installation of the software.
1.1.Introduction
1.2.Safety notes
1.3.Hardware requirements
1.4.Software prerequirements
1.5.Download and install
1.6.Licensing.
1.7.The first run, first steps
1.7.1.Command line arguments
2.The graphical user interface
2.1.The default screenset
2.2.Screen elements
2.2.1.Tab pages
2.2.2.Buttons
2.2.3.Labels
2.2.4.LEDs
2.2.5.Toolpath viewer
2.2.6.Jog control
2.3.Virtual mouse control.
3.Setting up the software for the machine (Configuration)
3.1.Axis setup
3.2.Spindle setup
3.2.1.Spindle pulleys
3.2.2.Spindle PID controller
3.3.Auxiliary encoders
3.4.I/O setup
3.5.I/O trigger
3.5.1.Input trigger
3.5.2.Output trigger
3.5.3.Hotkeys
3.6.General settings
3.7.Appearance
3.8.Importers
3.9.Profiles
3.9.1.Operator (un)lock
3.9.2.Statistics
3.10.Offsets
3.11.Tools
3.12.Diagnostics
3.13.Porting the settings to a different computer
4.The code interpreter
4.1. Supported codes
4.1.1.G-codes
4.1.2.M-codes
4.1.3.Other codes
4.2. Parametric programming
4.2.1. Available math operators and operations
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4.3. Using the software, executing codes, using functions
4.3.1.Open, edit, close a G-code file
4.3.2.Executing code from program
4.3.3.Executing code via the MDI
4.3.4.Zeroing and referencing one or more axis
4.3.5.Using offsets
4.3.6.Overriding the feedrate and the spindle speed
4.3.7.Using the toolpath and G-code viewers
4.3.8.Jog control, jogging the machine
5.Macro-ing capability
6.Plugin controls
6.1.Installing plugins
6.2.Enabling, configuring and using plugins
6.3.Writing/creating custom plugins
7.Screen editor
7.1.Description of the screen editor
7.2.Editing screen elements
7.3.Editing the canvas properties
7.4.Editing picture images
7.5.Saving the screen
8.Macro loops
8.1.Description of macro loops
8.2.Writing macros for loops
8.3.Running, stopping, killing macro loops
1 .Installation of the software

1.1 .Introduction
For first of all we thank you for your interest in our software product and reading this user's guide.
This first section of the manual will describe the basic purpose of this software and what hardware
you will need and may need to you use it.
The UCCNC is a machine control software. It uses and external hardware to generate signals to
produce coordinated motion on upto 6 machine axis. The external hardware is a motion controller
device which is currently our UC100 or UC300 or UC400ETH motion controller.
This software connects to the external motion controller via a single USB port connection or
ethernet connection (depends on the motion controller model) of a personal computer (PC) and via
a software application interface (API) which is built into the software. The installer of the UCCNC
software includes and completes all the tasks to make it possible to use this software on your
computer. The device drivers are included in the installer too.
The UC100 motion controller and this software is not capable to run motors and machine axis
directly, it is capable only to produce the required signals to run a machine like a CNC mill which
requires programmed coordinated motions. The possibility and the selection on the external motor
controller is nearly endless and there are lots of options and choices on the stepper and servo motor
controller market. We also offering a few options and most of the 3rd party hardware available on
the market today will also work. To get a more clear idea about how this software works and what
else electronics you may need to get your machine running please read this user's guide further and
make your own resource on the internet, there are lots of useful informations and articles available
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about motion and motor control electronics.
1.2 .Safety notes
Moving objects like machine axis and machine parts can be dangerous and could cause personal
injury or even death. Please keep this always in mind and operate your machine carefully keeping
all safety standards and regulations first.
1.3 .Hardware requirements
This software requires Microsoft Windows XP, 7 , 8, 8.1 or 10 Operating System running on an x86
or x64 desktop or laptop or tablet computer.
The minimal hardware requirements for the computer are as follows:

– CPU frequency: minimum 1.8 GHz (duo or dual core is recommended.)
– Graphics card: OpenGL 1.3 or higher compatible
– RAM: minimum 1GB for XP and 2GB for all other supported OS.
– Hard drive space: minimum 16GB
The above are the recommended minimal values, however the software may run on PCs with lower
recources, but we do not advice to do so.
If large G-code files with the hundreds of thousands or millions of code lines count are run then the
requirements may be higher.
We suggest to always try the software even in demo mode on the planned to be used computer with
the largest and most complex planned to be run g-code files to see the performance and to see if the
computer fits the software requirements.
1.4 .Software prerequirements
The software targets the .NET framework 4.0. The .NET framework 4.0 is Microsoft's runtime
environment for applications (like the UCCNC) developed in Visual Studio.
Starting from .NET 4.0 the frameworks are backwards compatible which means that installing a
higher .NET framework version than 4.0 (for example .NET 4.5) will also run the UCCNC
software.
On Windows XP operating system the .NET framework 4 can be installed from a file which is
available on Microsoft's website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?
id=17718 ,but the Operating System must have the SP3 service pack installed, without that the
.NET framework 4.0 can't be installed.
On Windows 7. the .NET framework 4 can be installed from file which is available on Microsoft's
website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=17718 ,but the
Operating System must have the SP1 service pack installed, without that the .NET framework 4.0
can't be installed.
On Windows 8.,8.1 and 10 the .NET 4 framework is part of the operating system, installation is not
required.
If the .Net framework is not installed, the UCCNC software installer will not run, it will drop an
error message on startup and the installer will exit.
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1.5 .Download and install
The UCCNC software comes in a single .exe executable installer package, the uptodate version is
always available as a download on our website:
http://www.cncdrive.com/UCCNC/download_UCCNC.php
Download the setup.exe file from the above link, save it to your harddrive and double click the file
to start the installation process.
When running the setup file the following screen will pop up:
Press the next button to proceed the installation.
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The End-User License Agreement for the software will appear and you should read the EULA
carefully and if you agree the terms select the "I accept the agreement" radiobutton and press the
next key. If you do not accept the EULA then press the cancel button and in this case the installation
will terminate.
On this screen the installation folder path can be set, The default installation location is your main
harddrive which is mostly the C: drive and the \UCCNC folder. The path can be changed with
overwriting the path string on this window. Before pressing the next button make sure that there is
enough disk space available on the harddrive used for the installation, the required disk space is
indicated on this window. When these are done press the next button.
If the software was installed previously to the same directory then the installer will ask for
permission to overwrite the previously installed software version and the files.
Select yet to proceed the installation.
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There is an option to overwrite or keep the previously installed default profile file. The default
profile file contains all the settings of the screen, machine settings etc.
It is strongly recommended to select this option.
The installer will ask under what section name to create a shortcut icon for the software in the
startup menu in Windows. The default is CNCdrive\UCCNC software. Press next to proceed the
installation.
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Finally before the actual installation process starts a summary screen will appear where you can
check the settings you made. This is the last time the installation can be rolled back with pressing
the back button.
To confirm the settings and start the installation process press next.
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The installation starts and the installer extracting and copying all files and registry entries as
nessessary. Wait while the process finishes, it may take a few minutes.
At the end of the installation process you will be asked to plug the UC100 device to the computer's
USB port, do so.
Because the USB drivers were preinstalled by the installer Windows will automaticly assign the
USB drivers to the device once it gets plugged to the PC's USB port.
Wait while the process finishes and press the next button.
The installation got finished and selecting the "Run UCCNC.exe" option will start the software
when pressing the Finish button. Press the finish button to exit the installer.
1.6 .Licensing.
The software requires a license key to fully function. The license key is an encrypted file released
by the author and owner of the software: CNCdrive Kft. company. One license key is valid and can
be used with one UC100 device only. The license keys are personalised and assigned to a UC100,
UC300, UC300ETH, UC400ETH or other future motion controller device's serial number which
makes the software function with that specific device only.
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The motion controller device's serial number and the license key's serial number must match, the
license key with one serial number and the motion controller device with a different serial number
will not work together.
A separate license key should be purchased for each motion controller devices for the UCCNC
software to work with them. It also must be noted that the software can connect to and can run with
one motion controller device one time. The license key file is delivered in e-mail only, no physical
media (CD/DVD) is supplied.
To install the license key, simply copy the license key file to the UCCNC installation folder and run
the software. The software automaticaly senses the license key in the installation directory and will
connect to the device.
Without a license key the software runs in demo mode when there is no physical connection is made
to the external motion controller, the software emulates the motion, but signals are not generated by
the device.
Without the motion controller device connected or installed to the computer the software will start
in demo mode. As mentioned previously in this case the software emulates the motion, but no
signals are generated by the device, all motions happening on the screen is just simulation.
The possiblity of using the software in demo mode without a software license key and without
buying a motion controller provides the ability for you to try and test the software without the need
of any prior purchase. We recommend that you test and make sure that the software fits your needs
before purchasing a software license key.
Software license keys because of the nature of this kind of product are not returnable and are not
refundable.
The following printscreen picture shows the software running in demo mode, please note the "
Running in demo mode..." text in the header of the window.
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1.7 .The first run, first steps.
After the installation process and licensing the software it is time to run and setup the software to
work with your machine.
To run the software double click the UCCNC icon on the desktop or in the start menu.
If only a single UC100 or UC300-5LPT device is connected and if the software is licensed for that
device then the software will startup.
If no devices are connected or if more then one devices are connected or if one device is only
connected but it is not licensed for the software then the following device selection window will
popup prior to the software startup:
The device selection window lists all the available motion control devices which are actually
cunnected to the PC and also it lists the available demo modes to run the software in. The devices
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can be selected with clicking and then with pressing the Continue button the software will startup
and will connect to the selected device in case that device is licensed. If the selected device is not
licensed then the software will run in demo mode simulating the selected device.
Selecting any of the demo modes will also simulate the device.
1.7.1 .Command line arguments
Command line arguments can be used to influence how the software starts.
The arguments may be written to the shortcut icon properties target field after the path of the
UCCNC.exe file.
The available command line arguments are as follows:
– /n : Using this switch in the argument will only allow the software to start one instance. If
one instance is already running, the software will show an error message and will close.
– /p profilename : Using this switch forces the software to load a specific machine profile file.
– /s serialnumber : Using this switch forces the software to connect to a motion controller with
the specified serial number. If the motion controller is not connected (not available) or if it is
already in use then the software will show an error message and will close.
– /d devicetype : Using this switch forces the software to always run in demo mode only, no
matter if any motion controller devices are connected. The devicetype parameter can have
one of the following values:
UC100, UC300_5LPT, UC300_ISOBOB, UC300_M44, UC300_5441, UC300_HI,
UC300_LOW, UC300ETH_5LPT, UC300ETH_5441, UC300ETH_HI, UC300ETH_LOW,
UC300ETH_M44, UC300ETH_M45, UC300ETH_ISOBOB,
UC300ETH_UB1, UC400ETH, AXBB
And example for using the command line arguments:
C:/UCCNC/UCCNC.exe /p myprofile /s 60CC4D
This comamnd will load the myprofile profile file (myprofile.pro) and will connect only to the
device with the 60CC4D serial number.
2 .The graphical user interface
The graphical user interface (GUI) is based on OpenGL technology.

All screen components like the buttons, labels, TAB layers are customisable, the look, format of
these elements are defined in a screen set script file. The UCCNC software loads the screen set
script on startup. The name of the screen set file is defined in the Profile file in the
"mainscreenfilename" key entry. Changing this key entry value will read a different .ssf screenset
file. The user could write their own screen set file customizing the GUI and it's components.
The screen can be dinamicly resized on the fly and the form elements resizing accordingly, this
makes the usage ideal on monitors with any screen resolutions.
2.1 .The default screenset
The default screenset is the screen set file (.ssf) which the software installs by default.
This screenset file contains components and graphics for a 6-axis machine controller.
Printscreens of this screenset are shown in this documentation.
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2.2 .Screen elements
2.2.1 .Tab pages
Tab pages are similar to the standard Windows TAB control pages. These elements are like layers
on the screen. Clicking the label text of the TAB page changes the screen view and showing the
components on the selected TAB layer. TAB layers can have a hierarchy where any TAB layer can
have child TAB layers and all TAB layers have a parent layer. The basic layer is layer 1. which is
the main and lowest layer on the screen, in other words this layer is the UCCNC window itself.
Any number of tab pages with any labels can be placed onto the screen when making a custom
screen set file. The way of placing TAB controls on the screen will be further discussed in a
separate documentation which will be about writing own screen sets.
The TAB pages on the default screen set are:
– Run
This page is the main page of the screen, it contains the buttons to load, edit, run, close a G-code
file. It also contains buttons to switch the spidle, coolant, mist on/off, select the offset coordinate
system. It contains a 3D toolpath viewer and a G-code viewer. On the top of the screen the 6 axis
position DROs and actual and set feedrate, spindle set rotational speed and spindle actual rotational
speed DROs are taking place. An MDI (manual data input field) is placed on the middle of the
screen, this component allows a manual G-code input via the keyboard.
– Toolpath
This page is to get a more clear view of the toolpath loaded into software. The page contains a large,
high resolution 3D toolpath viewer and buttons to navigate, zoom and to have different viewing
angles of the toolpath.
– Offsets
This page contains the offset coordinate system parameters. The offset coordinate systems are on 6
sub TAB pages and are G54, G55, G56, G57, G58, G59 respectively. The actual offset coordinate
system can be selected on the Run page. The offset values on the actually selected offset system is
applied to the coordinate DROs of the machine and the name of the actual offset system is indicated
in a label on this screen for example "Active fixture: G54" means that the G54 coordinate system is
selected. Currently work offset is available for all the 6 axis and in addition a tool offset is available
for the Z-axis. The offset numeric values are one by one all editable on the screen.
The current position which is the actual position of the machine can be offset with a single button
press. Also the work offset can be cleared with one button and the tool offset can be cleared in a
similar way with a single button press.
– Tools
This page contains the tool offsets for the Z-axis, because as previously described tool offsets are
currently only available for the Z-axis only.
There are in total 96 pieces of tool offsets are available marked Tool#1 to Tool#96 on the screen.
All tools can have it's own tool length offset value. All tools numeric values are editable on the
screen and the values can be saved to the profile file.
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– Configuration
This page is the most complex tab page, it contains several sub TAB pages and this page has all the
software configuration parameters. The sub tab pages and their purpose will be discussed in the
followings.
– Axis setup (sub tab page)
This page has sub pages for all 6-axis settings X, Y, Z, A, B, C axis respectively.
The axis settings can be made on these tab pages.
There is also a sub tab page for the Spindle settings.
– I/O setup (sub tab page)
This page contains the input and output pins definitions, settings for the E-stop, charge pump and
other signals which are not exact relations with the axis and the spindle.
– General settings (sub tab page)
This page contains the parameters for the USB communication and some machine behaviour.
– Appearance (sub tab page)
This page contains settings for the toolpath viewer screen colors.
– Importers (sub tab page)
This page contains data import function(s).
– Profiles (sub tab page)
This page contains the machine profile setup, profiles can be loaded, created, deleted.
– Diagnostics tab page
This page shows datas and feedback about the current job and the machine properties, like I/O and
functions logic states.
– Help tap page
This page lists the supported G and M and other codes with basic descriptions. Also the motion
controller device parameters and the license key validity can be read here.
2.2.2 .Buttons
Buttons are one of the most important screen elements, these are like Windows buttons, pressing
them execute an action. All buttons have a function to call inside the UCCNC software. All these
functions have a pre-defined identify number. When creating a screen set file the buttons can be
defined to call one of these functions by adding the function number to the button by a parameter.
The function numbers of the different buttons and how to add them to a custom screen will be
defined in a separated documentation which will be about writing a custom screen set file.
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To read more about the buttons controls read the Buttons_by_number.htm document.
2.2.3 .Labels
Labels are used to show texts on the screen and also they are used to input values from the user.
Labels can be static labels which are not updateable, their contant is constant and always the same.
Static labels does not have a reference number since they never need an update of their value, their
content is static, always the same. The text content of these buttons are defined in the screenset
script and uploaded to the screen when the software load the screenset.
There are also output and input type dynamic labels. Dynamic labels are updated by the software
mostly in sequence or in case an event is happening. Dynamic labels all have a reference/function
number. There are input and output type dynamic labels. The output type labels are to view only
text while the input type labels are used to input datas from the user via the screen.
To read more about the labels controls read the Labels_by_number.htm document.
2.2.4 .LEDs
LED controls are used to show the state of Boolean variables states to the user. Leds can have 2
states on/off and the actual state of each LEDs is updated by the software automaticly.
Every LED function have a function number which means the variable the LED will indicate.
To read more about the LED controls read the LEDs_by_number.htm document.
2.2.5 .Toolpath viewer
The toolpath viewer is a special control which is used to show, visualise the path the machine will
execute for the loaded G-code program. Each tab page can have one toolpath viewer control.
There are several associated buttons functions which can show the toolpath from different view
points, angles, zoom the contents, zoom in and out etc. To read more about these read the
Buttons_by_number.htm document and look for the associated buttons controls.
2.2.6 .Jog control
The jog control panel is located at the right side of the window and is used to move the machine is
manual, "jog" mode.
2.3 .Virtual mouse control
There can be machine controls where no physical mouse or trackball is installed. In these system it
is still possible to control the mouse cursor with keyboard keys using the virtual mouse function.
To enable the virtual mouse control press the TAB keyboard key and this will enable the virtual
mouse control mode. The indication of the virtual mouse control is enabled is that the mouse
pointer changes from the arrow to a cross icon. In virtual mouse control mode the mouse cursor can
be moved left/rigth and up/down with the keyboad arrow keys and the left mouse click can be
emulated with pressing the enter key on the keyboard.
The cursor can be moved with high speed if the Shift keyboard key is pressed and is held down
while the cursor is commanded to move with the arrow keys.
To disable the virtual mouse control press the TAB keyboard key again and the mouse cursor will
change back to the arrow icon and the function is then disabled.
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3 .Setting up the software for the machine (Configuration)
3.1 .Axis setup
The machine axis settings can be configured in the axis setup.

The axis setup page contains 6 sub tab pages for the 6 available axis.
All axis has identical settings, except that the X,Y and Z axis can have a slave axis, so these axis
have an additional setting for the slave axis selection.
Each axis has the following settings:
Step port & pin: Which is the physical output pin on the motion controller device for the step
signal. The signal can be configured active low or active high selecting or unselecting a checkbox
next to the control.
The active high means that the rising edge (0->5Volts) is the active edge of the step signal and
active low means that the falling edge (5->0Volts) is the active edge of the step signal.
Dir port & pin: Which is the physical output pin on the motion controller device for the step
next to the field. Changing the active polarity of the signal reverses the axis running direction.
Enable port & pin: Which is the physical output pin on the motion controller device for the enable
next to the field.
The enable signal goes active when the axis is enabled with the "Axis enabled" checkbox marked
and when the software is out of reset. Otherwise the enable signal is inactive.
Enable delay: This parameter delays the enable signal with the set amount of time to activate.
The delay is the set value times 10 milliseconds. The range is 0-255 which means 0-2.55 seconds
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time interval. This parameter is currently only implemented in our ethernet motion controllers. Our
USB controllers do not have this parameter and functionality.
Limit – and + port & pins: These are the physical input pins on the motion controller device for
the limit switches.
Limit switches are used to limit the workspace, limit the length of an axis or in other words to not
allow the machine to run over a certain position on each axis direction.
When the limit switch is activated the UCCNC software triggers the reset signal and stops the
motion. The signal can be configured active low or active high polarity. The correct polarity
depends on if the limit switch or sensor inputs a low (0V) or high (5V) signal when activated.
One negative and one positive side of limit pins can be defined.
The limit pins may be the same for more than one axis. Any combination of the limit pins for any
axis is allowed. To disable a limit input pin, write 0 value to the field.
Home port & pin: Which is the physical input pin on the motion controller device for the Home of
Reference point switch or sensor. The machine axis can be homed and pick up the reference point
using this switch or sensor. The signal can be configured active low or active high polarity. The
correct polarity depends on if the Home switch or sensor inputs a low (0V) or high (5V) signal
when activated.
The home direction to the positive or to the negative side of the axis can be configured with the
"Direction positive" checkbox.
The home pin may be the same pin as a limit pin, if using the same sensor for the home and limit
functions. If the home and limit pins are the same then the pin will be treated as a limit pin all the
time except when a homing sequence for that axis is in execution. In this case the lmit function is
disabled and the pin is treated as if it was a home switch only. When the homing sequence is
finished, the pin is again treated as a limit input pin.
Current high/low port & pin: This is a physical output pin which can be used as an enable or a
current reduction signal for the external motor control electronics connected to the system. The pin
can be inverted checking the active low checkbox next to the textfield. The signal is active when a
motion or dwell is ongoing and activates a few milliseconds before the motion starts and
deactivates a few milliseconds after the motion stopped. The few milliseconds delays are to let the
stepper motor driver adjust the current in time to the full or to the holding current level.
Homing speed up: Which is a numeric value and sets the feedrate of the motion when homing the
axis and when the axis is moving to the home sensor.
The Homing feedrate can be equal or lower than the Velocity parameter of the axis.
The parameter is defined in Units per minute.
Homing speed down: Which is a numeric value and sets the feedrate of the motion when homing
the axis and when the axis is moving down from the home sensor.
The Homing feedrate can be equal or lower than the Velocity parameter of the axis.
The parameter is defined in Units per minute.
Write offset on Homing: Which is a numeric value and sets the coordinate to write to the axis
position DRO when a homing action is executed and succeded.
The parameter is defined in Units.
The homing position DRO value can be autoset with checking the checkbox next to the field.
If the autoset checkbox is not set then the axis will remain it's coordinate when a homing sequence
is successfully executed. If the autoset checkbox is not set then the set value will be written to the
axis position DRO when a homing sequence is successfully executed.
Back off: Which is a numeric value and is a movement distance the machine axis will make after
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the homing off. If the parameter is set to 0 then no movement will happen after the homing.
The movement can be to the negative or positive direction depending on the sign of the value.
The final position after the back off movement is registered as the home position.
Steps per Units: Which is a numeric value and means the output pulses per one Unit of mechanical
travel on the machine axis. The correct value depends on the resolution of the motor and motor
drive in case a stepper motor and drive is used or on the encoder resolution if a servo motor and
drive is used to drive the axis.
Velocity: Which is a numeric value and sets the maximum feedrate on the axis. The axis cannot run
on higher feedrate then the set value. In G0 (rapid linear motion) code execution the motion is
executed with this feedrate value.
The value of this parameter is in Units/minute.
Acceleration: Which is a numeric value and sets the maximum acceleration value of the axis. The
axis cannot accelerate faster than the set value.
The value of this parameter is in Units/sec/sec.
Softlimit - : Which is a numeric value and is the negative direction software position limit. The axis
cannot run to a lower coordinate than the set value. Note: The software limits can be enabled or
disabled on the general config tab page with checking or unchecking the enable softlimits
checkbox.
The value of this parameter is in Units.
Softlimit + : Which is a numeric value and is the positive direction software position limit. The axis
cannot run to a higher coordinate than the set value. Note: The software limits can be enabled or
disabled on the general config tab page with checking or unchecking the 'enable softlimits'
checkbox.
Backlash distance: Which is a numeric value and sets the backlash distance to compensate on the
axis. The backlash compensation can be enabled or disabled with checking or unchecking the
'enable backlash' checkbox next to the textfield.
Compensation acceleration: Which is a numeric value and defines the acceleration of the axis
when compensating the backlash and also used when rigid tapping (G33.1 and G33.2) and when
thread cutting (G33 and G76). This value has to be set at least 20% higher than the acceleration
parameter of the axis.
The value of this parameter is in Units/sec/sec.
Slave axis: This setting is only available for the X, Y and Z axis. These axis can have a slave axis
attached to them. The slave axis moves together with the master axis. The slave axis can be the A, B
or the C axis. The slave axis functionality is useful for example in router machines where 2
separated motors running the same axis on the 2 sides of the gantry axis. These motors can setup as
a master and slave axis, so the two axis will run together in syncron.
Calibrate button: Each axis setup page has a calibrate button. Use this button to calibrate the
resolution (steps per value) on the axis. Pressing this button will open an axis calibration window
which looks the following:
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The calibration is built from a 3 steps sequence. Press the OK button to process the sequences.
The first step of the sequence moves the axis to the set distance with the set feedrate using the
currently set steps per unit value. The next step is to measure the distance on the machine axis
between the movement startpoint and the movement endpoint and type the measured distance value
back to the screen. In the third seqeunce the software calculates the new steps per value based on
the previous and the measured input data. The new steps per value is shown on the page and again
press OK to save the new value and to end the calibration process.
A new calibration process can be started with pressing the OK button again, or the process can be
terminated and the window can be closed pressing the cancel button any time.
In addition to the above listed settings the A, B and C axes have 2 more settings, because these axes
can be set to function as rotary axes instead of linear and the A axis can work as a tangential rotary
cutter knife.
Rotary axis: When this option is set then the axis is not calculated into the feedrate of the
movement vector, but only the linear axis are calculated for the feedrate. The rotary axes are only
following the linear axes. The upper limitation for the linear axis feedrate will be still the maximum
velocity of the rotary axis. In other words the rotary axis will not run faster than it's velocity setting
and this might limit the feedrate of the linear movement.
Roll over on 360°: When this option is set then the axis angle range is between 0-360° and the axis
position counter over rolls when it moves from the 0° to 360° or from the 360°to 0°.
It is important to note that when this option is set then the movement direction is always to the
shorter path, clockwise or counterclockwise.
For example: The A axis is at position 90 and a G0 A10 is programmed. In this case the movement
happens to A90, A89, A88 … A10. The other direction would be the A90, A91, A92 … A359, A0,
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A1 … A10. Ofcourse the second path is longer and therefor the first solution is selected for the
movement, because that path is shorter.
The following image shows the rotary axis options for the A, B and C axes:
The A axis can also work as a tangential cutter knife when the A axis rotation angle is automatically
calculated and rotated to the XY plane movement vector direction. This way a motorised rotary
knife can be used to cut foil or sticker sheets for example.
There are 3 parameters for this option:
Enable tangential knife: This checkbox enables the tangential knife control.
Moveback feed (Units/min): When the knife put back to the cutting height after a pull-up then the
feedrate setup in this parameter is used for that Z axis downwards movement. If the value is set to 0
then rapid feedrate is used.
Pull out feed (Units/min): The retract feedrate of the automatic pullout of the knife (Z-axis.)
Stop at angle (degree): If the XY plane angle angle between the 2 connecting path vectors is larger
than this value then the movement deccelerates to the connection point and the software rotates the
knife to the new angle. The meaning for this feature is to safe the edge of the knife. The parameter
value range is 0 to 180 degrees.
Retract at angle (degree): If the XY plane angle between the 2 connecting path vectors is larger
than this value then the movement deccelerates to the connection point and the Z axis lifts the knife
up to the retract height, the knife is rotated to the new angle and put back to the cutting height and
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then it continues the motion. The meaning for this feature is to safe the edge of the knife. The
parameter value range is 0 to 180 degrees.
Retract height (units): This parameter sets the height of the Z axis retraction when the movement
vectors connection angle is greater than the setup retract angle. The retract height is an incremental
value which means that for example the retract hight parameter value is 10 and the cutting height is
at -2 units then the axis is lifted to the 8 units height. The parameter has to have a non negative
value.
The following image shows the tangential knife options for the A axis:
3.2 .Spindle setup
The spindle setup tab page contains settings for the main spindle of the machine.
The spindle can be a spindle with PWM (analog input) control or a step/dircetion control spindle.
Separate relays can be also setup to switch the spindle on/off.
The mist and flood coolant control parameters setup are also located on this tab page, because these
are in close relation to the spindle control.
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The spindle setup tab page has the following parameters:
Settings for a PWM control type spindle:
PWM spindle check box: Selecting this checkbox sets the spindle to PWM control mode. In PWM
control the spindle control signal is a PWM (pulse width modulation) signal and the PWM duty
cycle is changed proportionally with the programmed spindle speed.
The PWM spindle control mode is useful for analog input spindle electronics forexample for
Variable Frequncy Drives with analog input. The PWM signal can be filtered, smoothed to an
analog signal using a simple RC (resistor + capacitor) network.
PWM port & pin: This is the physical output pin number for the spindle control PWM signal, the
signal will appear on the selected pin. The signal can be inverted setting the 'active low' checkbox
next to the textfield.
Dir port & pin: This is a physical output pin number of the spindle direction signal. The running
direction of the spindle depends on if an M3 (Clockwise rotation) or M4 (Counter clockwise
rotation) is programmed. The direction signal changes according to the programmed running
direction. The signal can be active low or high. Changing the direction active state inverts the signal
polarity.
PWM frequency: This parameter sets the base frequency of the PWM signal, in other words it sets
how long one PWM cycle will last. The time perion of the PWM cycle equals 1/PWM frequency.
The value of this parameter is in Hertz.
PWM min duty (%): This parameter sets the minimum duty cycle of the spindle speed PWM
signal. The PWM duty cycle will go to this level when the lowest spindle speed is set.
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PWM max duty (%): This parameter sets the maximum duty cycle of the spindle speed PWM
signal. The PWM duty cycle will go to this level when the highest spindle speed is set.
Settings for a step/direction control type spindle:
Step/direction spindle checkbox: Selecting this checkbox sets the spindle to step and direction
control mode. In step and direction control the spindle control signal is a step pulse train just like it
is on the machine axis. This control mode is useful for position control spindles like servo motor
spindles.
Step port & pin: This is the physical output pin number for the spindle control step signal, the
signal will appear on the selected pin. The signal can be inverted setting the 'active low' checkbox
next to the textfield.
Dir port & pin: This is a physical output pin number of the spindle direction signal. The running
direction of the spindle depends on if an M3 (Clockwise rotation) or M4 (Counter clockwise
rotation) is programmed. The direction signal changes according to the programmed running
direction. The signal can be active low or high. Changing the direction active state inverts the signal
polarity.
Steps per rotation: This is a numeric value which represents the number of pulses the controller
should send out on the step signal to produce one full motor rotation.
Acceleration: This is a numeric value and sets the maximum acceleration for the spindle.
The spindle cannot accelerate faster than the set value.
The value of this parameter is in Rotation/sec/sec.
The following settings are shared between and valid for both a PWM and step/direction type
spindle:
Minimum velocity: This is a numeric value and defines the programmable minimum rotational
speed for the spindle motor. The spindle can be programmed with the 'S' parameter. If a lower than
the minimum set value is programmed then the minimum setup value is used.
Maximum velocity: This is a numeric value and defines the programmable maximum rotational
speed for the spindle motor. The spindle can be programmed with the 'S' parameter. If a higher than
the maximum set value is programmed then the maximum setup value is used.
Index port & pin: This is a physical input pin for the index input signal. The index input signal is
used to measure the spindle rotational speed and to feed it back to the actual spindle speed DRO.
The index pin is also the index channel of the spindle feedback encoder for thread cutting.
Index prescaler: This is a numeric value and is used to divide the frequency of the spindle
rotational speed. In other words this should be set to a value of 1 if a single slot spindle speed
sensor is used and a a value of 2 if a dual slot spindle speed sensor is user and so on.
Encoder PPR: This is a numeric value and defines the pulse per revolution of the incremental
encoder which is used to feedback the spindle position in sycnronous thread cutting applications.
Reverse enc.dir: This parameter changes the encoder count direction. If the encoder pins were
accidentally connected up in reverse then no need to exchange them or to change the A with B pin,
just change this parameter to change the count direction of the encoder.
Encoder A port & pin: This is the physical input pin for the encoder A channel.
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Encoder B port & pin: This is the physical input pin for the encoder B channel.
Spindle relay outputs enabled checkbox: Selecting this checkbox enables the M3 (rotation CW)
and M4 (rotation CCW) relay outputs. These output activates when an M3 or an M4 code is
programmed and the outputs can be used to switch the spindle on/off. Only one of these outputs can
be active one time. Both outputs can bedeactivated with programming an M5 command.
M3 spindle relay port & pin: This is a physical output pin for the spindle M3 (CW) relay. The pin
can be inverted checking the active low checkbox next to the textfield. The pin is active when a M3
command is programmed and inactive after a M5 command is programmed.
M4 spindle relay port & pin: This is a physical output pin for the spindle M4 (CCW) relay. The
pin can be inverted checking the active low checkbox next to the textfield. The pin is active when a
M4 command is programmed and inactive after a M5 command is programmed.
M3 delay after on: This is a numeric value. The software dwells for the set amount of time in
milliseconds when a spindle M3 command is programmed and after the spindle output goes active.
M3 delay after off: This is a numeric value. The software dwells for the set amount of time in
milliseconds if the spindle M3 command was active and when a spindle M5 command is
programmed and after the spindle output goes inactive.
milliseconds when a spindle M4 command is programmed and after the spindle output goes active.
M4 delay after off: This is a numeric value. The software dwells for the set amount of time in
milliseconds if the spindle M4 command was active and when a spindle M5 command is
programmed and after the spindle output goes inactive.
Flood/Mist relay outputs enabled checkbox: Selecting this checkbox enables the M7 (Mist) and
M8 (Flood) relay outputs. These output activates when an M7 or an M8 code is programmed and
the outputs can be used to switch the Mist and Flood coolants. Both outputs can be activated the
same time and both outputs can be deactivated with the M9 command.
M7 mist relay port & pin: This is a physical output pin for the spindle M7 (Mist) relay. The pin
M8 flood relay port & pin: This is a physical output pin for the spindle M8 (Flood) relay. The pin
milliseconds when a M7 command is programmed and after the Mist output goes active.
milliseconds when a M8 command is programmed and after the Flood output goes active.
M9 delay: This is a numeric value. The software dwells for the set amount of time in milliseconds
if the M7 and/or the M8 command was active and after these outputs goes inactive.
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3.2.1 .Spindle pulleys
The spindle pulleys settings can be useful for machines which have pulleys on between the spindle
and the driving motor. These pulleys with different mechanical ratios can vary the speed range of
the spindle and also the spindle feedback speed if the spindle Index sensor which measures the
speed is placed on the motor and not on the spindle.
The spindle pulleys settings can be accessed with pressing the Spindle pulleys button on the Spindle
tab page and can be enabled with checking the Use pulleys checkbox next to the button.
On the spindle pulleys Window there are 15 available slots to setup with different spindle speed
ranges and ratios.
When the use pulleys checkbox is set then the pulley number can be selected with the M215 Px
command, where the P parameter means the pulley number to be used, for example M215 P1
selects pulley number 1.
The minimum and maximum speed value for the pulley defines what value the software will accept
when programming the spindle speed with the S word.
The software automatically adjusts the spindle speed range to the setup PWM minimum and
maximum values when a PWM spindle is selected and it automatically adjusts the speed range to
the spindle step frequency if a Step/dir spindle is configured.
The ratio parameter in the spindle pulleys settings scales the feedback with multiplying the
measured spindle speed with the ratio value before showing the measured value in the Sact Spindle
speed DRO.
If the use pulleys checkbox is not set then the pulley window settings are not used and the spindle
speed range used will be the value range setup on the main Spindle settings tab page and the ratio
used for the feedback will be value 1.
The following page shows the Spindle pulleys settings window:
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3.2.2 .Spindle PID controller
The spindle PID controller function is is only available with our ethernet motion controllers
(UC400ETH and UC300ETH), this functionality is not available with our USB controllers (UC100
and UC300).
The function is accessible with pressing the Set button next to the Spindle PID control text.
The PID controller makes the spindle control closed loop.

If the spindle speed drops then the controller adjusts the output signal to compensate and control the
spindle speed to keep the programmed spindle speed value.
The controller takes the programmed S parameter (Sset) as the control signal and the spindle speed
measurement (Sact) as the feedback signal.
A speed error signal is calculated using the Error = Sset - Sact.
The error signal is fed to the PID controller input and a calculation is made to get an output signal
which signal controls the spindle motor.
The output signal is the setup PWM and/or analog output which are defined in the spindle setup.
For the spindle PID control to work the followings are required:
- The spindle speed has to be controllable with the output PWM or analog output signal.
- An incremental encoder with A and B channels has to be connected and measure the spindle speed
and the encoder resolution has to be configured.
(Note: Single Index channel feedback is currently not supported, only an incremental encoder can
be used.)
The PID parameters are the followings:

Kp: Proportional Gain
Kd: Differential Gain
Ki: Integrap Gain
Sampling time: The repeat time interval in milliseconds of the PID calculation.
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The following printscreen shows the spindle PID controller setup window:
3.3 .Auxiliary encoders
The auxiliary encoders menu and function is only available with our ethernet motion controllers
(UC400ETH and UC300ETH), this functionality is not available with our USB controllers (UC100
and UC300).
The auxiliary encoders page contains 6 pieces of freely configurable incremental encoder counters.
The encoders must be incremental type ones with A and B channel output signals.
The encoders' positions can be read and written through the screenset with reading and writing the
Textfields of the encoder coordinates. The Textfields can be read and written by GUI input and via
macros and plugins.
With the 'Counts per' parameter the counts per the encoder ticks can be defined, so the encoder
counting can be scaled up or down as required.
The aux encoders can't be used to close the position loop of the axes, they could be used to verify
position or for other custom purposes which requires encoder counters.
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The following printscreen shows the auxiliary encoders tab page:
3.4 .I/O setup
The I/O setup tab page contains settings for in and output functions which are not in exact relation
to the axis. These are the E-stop, probe, index inputs, charge pump output settings.
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The I/O setup tab page has the following parameters for the UC100 device:
The I/O setup tab page has the following parameters for the UC300 device:
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E-stop port & pin: This is a physical input pin for the e-stop button input signal. The pin can be
inverted checking the active low checkbox next to the textfield. The machine goes to reset when
this input signal is active.
Probe port & pin: This is a physical input pin for the straight probe input signal. The pin can be
inverted checking the active low checkbox next to the textfield. The straight probe can be
programmed with a G31 code.
Charge pump port & pin: This is a physical output pin for the charge pump safety output signal.
The charge pump safety is a PWM signal. The pin can be inverted checking the active low
checkbox next to the textfield. The PWM has a fixed 12.50kHz carrier frequency.
If the 'charge pump always on' checkbox is set then the PWM signal is always on when the UCCNC
software is running. If the 'charge pump always on" checkbox is not set then the PWM signal is
only active if the software is not in reset and inactive if in reset.
The charge pump signal can be used to enable an external electronics only if the UCCNC software
is loaded or if it is not in reset making the operation of the electronics safe.
The following parameters are available for the UC300 only, because the UC100 has no analog
signals:
Analog input 1-> #var: This setting makes the software to load the analog input 1. channel's read
value to the internal variable number set in this field. The software continously reading the analog
input and loading it into the variable. The value of the analog input is represented on 16bits, so the
value can be between 0 and 65535, however the analog channel of the UC300's DSP has 12 bits
resolution only, therefor the read value is multiplied to 16bits and transferred to the software.
To disable this function write 0 to this field.
The variables can be used in G-code execution or to read out the value in MDI command: ?
#variable number.
Analog input 2-> #var: This setting makes the software to load the analog input 2. channel's read
value to the internal variable number set in this field. The software continously reading the analog
input and loading it into the variable. The value of the analog input is represented on 16bits, so the
value can be between 0 and 65535, however the analog channel of the UC300's DSP has 12 bits
resolution only, therefor the read value is multiplied to 16bits and transferred to the software.
To disable this function write 0 to this field.
The variables can be used in G-code execution or to read out the value in MDI command: ?
#variable number.
FRO analog channel: This setting attaches the feedrate override (FRO) to the selected analog input
channel. Using this function the FRO can be set with an external potentiometer connected to the
analog input. The min.% value means the FRO percentage, which is set when 0Volts applied to the
analog input and the max.% value sets the maximum FRO percentage, which is when the analog
input has the maximum 10Volts input Voltage. Setting the min% to 0 value and turning the
potentiometer down to 0Volts sets the feedrate override to 0% which causes a feedhold till the
potentiometer is turned up again to higher than 0Volts.
Setting the min.% value lower than the max.% value reverses the function, in this case the 10Volts
input Voltage applies the min% value for the FRO and the 0Volts input applies the max.% value.
This reversible operation makes it possible to use the potentiometer even if it was connected
backwards to the power supply Voltage.
SRO analog channel: This setting attaches the spindle rate override (SRO) to the selected analog
input channel. Using this function the SRO can be set with an external potentiometer connected to
the analog input. The min.% value means the SRO percentage, which is set when 0Volts applied to
the analog input and the max.% value sets the maximum SRO percentage, which is when the analog
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input has the maximum 10Volts input Voltage.
input Voltage applies the min% value for the SRO and the 0Volts input applies the max.% value.
JRO analog channel: This setting attaches the jog rate override (JRO) to the selected analog input
channel. Using this function the JRO can be set with an external potentiometer connected to the
analog input. The min.% value means the minimum JRO percentage, which is set when 0Volts
applied to the analog input and the max.% value sets the maximum SRO percentage, which is when
the analog input has the maximum 10Volts input Voltage.
input Voltage applies the min% value for the SRO and the 0Volts input applies the max.% value.
It is possible to set more than one override function to a single analog channel, for example the
FRO and SRO can be set to the same channel and then when rotating the potentiometer both the
feedrate override and the spindle rate override will change.
It must be noted that when the FRO, SRO or the JRO is attached to an analog input then the screen
buttons to adjust the values of these will not function, because then the value is derived from the
analog input.
To disable any of these functions set the channel to 0 value.
Var# → analog output 1. This setting makes the software to load the set variable's value to the
analog 1. output channel. The valid value ranges are 0 to 65535 (16bits). Writing 0 to the variable
causes the analog output to be 0 Volts and writing 65535 to the variable will make the analog output
to go to 10Volts.
Variables can be programmed in code execution or via MDI command.
For example to make the variable #1 to get a value of 1000, command #1 = 1000
To disable this function set the variable number to 0.
Var# → analog output 2.: This setting makes the software to load the set variable's value to the
analog 2. output channel. The valid value ranges are 0 to 65535 (16bits). Writing 0 to the variable
causes the analog output to be 0 Volts and writing 65535 to the variable will make the analog output
to go to 10Volts.
Variables can be programmed in code execution or via MDI command.
For example to make the variable #1 to get a value of 1000, command #1 = 1000
To disable this function set the variable number to 0.
Spindle PWM → analog channel.: This setting attaches the PWM spindle control PWM to the
analog output. The analog output channel will have a value of the spindle PWM duty cycle.
For example if the minimum PWM is running at 50% duty cycle then the analog channel will have
a 5Volts output which is the 50% of the 10Volts maximum.
It must be noted that this setting overrides the other settings for the analog outputs which means that
if this function is enabled then other functions cannot write to the selected analog channel.
To disable any of these functions set the channel to 0 value.
MPG A port & pin: This is a physical input, the pin of the A input channel of an externally
connected manual pulse generator (MPG).
The MPG should produce incremental quadrate A and B channel signals.
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MPG B port & pin: This is a physical input, the pin of the B input channel of an externally
connected manual pulse generator (MPG).
The MPG should produce incremental quadrate A and B channel signals.
MPG prescaler: This is a numeric value and sets the number of encoder ticks when the axis will
move when the MPG hendwheel is rotated. Setting the value to 1 value will move the axis for every
encoder ticks.
MPG filter constant: This is a numeric value and with this setting the smoothness of the axis
motion for the MPG jog can be set. The higher value means a larger time constant and therefor a
smoother motion even if the operator hand movement is not smooth, however the larger the value
the slower the MPG will react. It is adviced to find the optimum where the MPG motion is smooth
enough and where the reaction time is still not too slow.
MPG speed multiplier: This is a numeric value and it sets how fast the axis will travel for the
MPG wheel rotation. Using a higher value will run the machine fast and long for even small
rotation on the encoder wheel. The optimal value for this parameter depends on several factors, like
the encoder resolution and the machine type. For metal working machines it is mostly more
practical to use a low value to let the machine move slower and shorter distances for the MPG
rotation to let the operator position the machine very precisely.
For large scale wood routers it is mostly practical to set this value higher to let the axis move the
long distances faster.
3.5 .IO trigger
The IO trigger function contains 3 sub pages which all makes the user interaction with the software
easier.
3.5.1 . Input trigger
The input trigger functionality makes is easy to attach external pushbuttons or switches to call
internal functions of the software.
The input port pins can be attached to the UCCNC function numbers. When the input is triggered
the UCCNC runs the selected function. If the "Low" setting is marked then the input triggers on the
falling edge (when the input goes from 5Volts to 0Volts) otherwise it triggers on the rising edge
(when the input goes from 0Volts to 5Volts) of the signal. All function numbers are listed in the
documetation subfolder of the UCCNC installation, in the Buttons_by_number.htm document.
An example is shown on the below printscreen picture, where Pin13. On the Port1. Is attached to
the 128. function which is the Cycle Start function of the UCCNC software.
The signal is set active low which means that if the input goes from 5V to 0V then the Cycle start
function is called by the software and if a g-code is loaded then it will start running.
Calling the 128. function does basicly the same as if the Cycle start button was pressed on the
screen.
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3.5.2 .Output trigger
The output trigger function attaches LED codes to physical output pins of the motion control
device. The actual logic state of the LED is read and is reflected to the selected output pin. If the
'low' field is set then the signal gets inverted before the output.
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3.5.3 .Hotkeys
To Hotkeys function attaches keyboard key triggers to UCCNC function calls.
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3.6 .General settings
This tab page contains settings for the machine behaviour.
The settings available on this page are the following:
Communication buffer size: This parameter sets the length of the USB communication buffer. The
parameter is in seconds. The shorter the buffer is the faster the machine will react to button presses.
The minimum set value is 0.05seconds(50milliseconds) and the longest is
0.5seconds(500mseconds).
Because the motion core of the software is running in a special high priority loop in our testings we
found that 0.1seconds (100milliseconds) buffer length is enough in all cases and we recommend to
leave this parameter at this value, but we left the ability to change this setting for the most
flexibility of the software.
Interpolation mode selection: This parameter selects how the trajectory planner executes the
motion. There are two modes, the exact stop mode and the constant velocity mode.
These two different modes can be also selected executing the G61.1 (exact stop mode) and G64
(constant velocity mode). When these codes are executed the selection on the screen changes
accordingly. When a G64 code gets executed the parameters for this command are read from this
screen settings.
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Exact stop mode: This is a trajectory planning mode. In this mode the trajectory planner follows
the motion path positions exactly. The machine axis accelerates at the beginning of each segment
and deccelerates at the end of each segment. This interpolation mode is adviced to set if close
tolerance parts are manufactured. The position error is always zero with this interpolation mode.
Constant velocity mode: This is a trajectory planning mode. In this mode the trajectory planner is
interpolating to the set feedrate, in other words the trajectory is planned looking ahead in the motion
path and trying to keep the feedrate constant on the set feedrate.
For this mode to work some additional parameters needs to be defined which are discussed in the
followings. The constant velocity mode is adviced to be used when high speed machining is
nessessary for example 3D artworks are machined. This mode can also be used for close tolerance
parts machining, but the tolerance parameters for this mode must be set correctly to force the
motion planner to not make higher position errors than what is allowed for the workpiece.
There is always a tradeoff between machining speed and precision. The higher the allowed
machining errors are set the faster the job will be finished, because the motion planner has more
space for optimising the motion, however the less the workpiece precision might be.
Stop at angle degrees: This parameter works only if the Constant velocity mode is selected for the
mode of interpolation. The parameter is in degrees and means a physical angle.
When set in constant velocity mode the motion planner looks ahead in the code it will execute
which means it sees the code it will execute in the near future. The stop angle parameter defines that
if a higher connection angle on one line segment to the other segment happens then stop the looking
ahead at that point and only interpolate the previous segments. The looking ahead will start again
after the point of that too high connection angle. Setting this parameter lower can reduce the
rounding error on between line segments with high connection angle or in other words on sharp
edges.
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Look ahead lines count: This parameter works in constant velocity mode only and defines how far
the motion planner looks ahead in the code, how many line segments in maximum should it
precheck. Setting the parameter to a high value makes a better constant velocity interpolation
especially when the motion path is built from short segments and when a long lookahead is
nessessary to see even a short distance in advance. The higher the look ahead lines are set ofcourse
the higher the comuputer's CPU and memory usage will be because it takes CPU time and memory
to look ahead. The default setting is 200 lines which works pretty good in most cases.
Linear error max.: This parameter sets the maximal linear error for the interpolator and works in
constant velocity mode only. The higher the parameter is set in most cases the faster the job will
finish, because the interpolator will shorten the motion path as much as possible with the linear
error setting.
The following diagram shows an example path and demomstrates how the linear error checking
works. The diagram is a simplified view, because at each new point in the path all the previous non
executed path points are checked. (these are not drawn).
On the diagram the blue colored path will be a new path and the red colored path shows the path
where the linear error is higher then the set value, this path gets ignored and the blue path gets
executed. The linear error calculation is then starts from the point P5 again.
The parameter is in Units.
Linear addition length: This parameter is in direct conjunction with the "Linear error max."
parameter and defines the maximal vector length which the interpreter can add to the unified path
when the machine is moving in constant velocity mode and when the next line segments fits other
parameters. This parameter is to limit the position error when interpolating long lines, in other
words these long lines (which can likely be sides of parts) can be excluded from the look-ahead
controlled unify process, keeping these lines precise even if the machine is moved in constant
velocity mode. This parameter has a meaning and work only in constant velocity interpolation
mode.
Linear Unify length: This parameter is similar to the "Linear addition length", but it limits the
length of the unified line segment. In other words the unified vector cannot be longer than defined
in this parameter. The purpose of this setting is the same as the purpose of the "Linear addition
length" parameter. This parameter has a meaning and work only in constant velocity interpolation
mode.
Corners error max.: This parameter sets the maximal interpolation error at the connection between
two path points and works in constant velocity mode only.
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The motion path is calculated in a way that the new faster path contains the error at these
connection points lower than the set value. In the following graph an example connection and new
path calculation is demonstrated. The green area is where the corner can be rounded. The machine
can move anywhere in the green marked area and the fastest possible path will be selected by the
motion planner. The parameter is in Units.
Arc radius tolerance: This parameter sets the tolerance of the arcs radius which arcs are
programmed in radius (R) mode. When an arc is programmed with the radius (R) parameter then it
is possible to set the radius too small to define a center point between the start and the end points of
the arcs. If the radius is smaller than the half of the distance between the start and the end points
then the arc cannot be defined mathematically. CAM programs often not defining the radius precise
enough (rounding) and so the radius can become too small which would produce an arc error. If the
software sees that the radius is too small to define the center point and therefor to create the arc then
the software will calculate the midpoint between the start and the end points and will measure the
center point distance to them.
The software will only give an arc error if the calculated center point is more far from the start and
the end points then the radius plus the arc tolerance parameter. If the calculated center point is
closer then no arc error will be given and the arc will be created with the calculated center point.
Enable softlimits: Setting this checkbox enables the software position limit on all axis. If this
checkbox is not set then the softlimits are disabled. If the checkbox is set the software limits gets
enabled and carry the value set on the axis setup page.
Unknown g-codes: The loaded g-code program may contain g-codes which are unknown, not
supported by the UCCNC software. This setting allows the user to configure the software what to
do when any unknown g-codes are found in the g-code program. There are 3 warning levels:
1.) "Ignore", selecting this mode the software will ignore the unknown g-codes and will run
without giving any warnings.
2.) "Warning", selecting this mode the software will give a warning message asking the
operator what to do, to run the code or not.
3.) "Don't run", selecting this mode the software will give a warning message and will not
allow to run the g-code program.
Reset on file load G68 and G51: If these checkboxes are checked cancels the G68 coordinate
system rotation and resets the G51 scale factors to 1 prior to loading a new g-code files.
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G41/G42 round joints: If this checkbox is checked then in the G41 and G42 tool radius
compensation routine the walkaround on high angled vector connections on the path happens with
circular shape instead of square.
Input debounce: This parameter filters the input signals with a low pass (RC) filter algorithm.
The value of the parameter sets the input filter time constant. If the parameter is 0 then no filtering
is applied. The parameter can have a range of 0-255 milliseconds.
When the input signal changes then the internal state of the signal only changes if the signal's new
state is valid for the set amount of time. The filter is useful when dealing with noise spikes on the
input pins. Noise spikes shorter than the input filter time constant are filtered out.
The Input debounce parameter is for the Limit inputs and for the Reset input. Signals which require
fast state changes like the encoder inputs are not debounced, this filter is not used on them.
This parameter is currently only implemented in our ethernet motion controllers. Our USB
controllers do not have this parameter and functionality.
THC input debounce: This parameter works the same as the input debounce parameter, but it
applies on the THC input signals.
Home input debounce: This parameter works the same as the input debounce parameter, but it
applies on the Home input signals.
Homing sequence: The order of the homing sewuence can be set here. There are 6 slots where the
different axis names can be selected. When the Home all command gets executed the axis get
homed in the order selected here. The first axis in the first slot gets homed first and the axis in the
sixth slot gets homed last. If not all home slots needed then the value of "none" can be selected then
those slots will be unused.
Kernel frequency: The maximum frequency what the UC100 device should output can be defined
with this setting. The selectable options are 100kHz, 50kHz and 25kHz.
This parameter defines how many pulses per second the controller should produce. For example
with the 100kHz setting the maximum steps per second is 100 000 which means a 10microseconds
total time period for each pulse. With the lower frequencies the signal period is longer which makes
the setting better suite of drives built with low performance (slow) optocouplers.
Position DROs digits: This parameter sets the decimal places to show in DROs. The value can be 0
to 6 decimal places. The numbers shown are then rounded on the screen view, but they are not
rounded when used for the motion, in other words the numbers rounding only happens on the
screen.
On tool change code (M6) do the following: This setting defines how to handle the M6 tool
change codes. There are 3 options to select from:
1.) Ignore tool change code(M6)
Selecting this mode will ignore all M6 codes in the program execution and also if placed into the
MDI. The M6 codes are simply skipped. This mode should be selected if the machine has no
automatic toolchanger and if the tool change macro means nothing for the machine.
2.) Stop spindle and wait for cycle start
Selecting this mode will stop the motion at any M6 codes and the software will wait for the operator
to press the Cycle start button. When the Cycle start button got pressed the code execution
continues.
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3.) Run the tool change macro(m6)
Selecting this mode will read and execute the M6 macro. The M6 macro is a text file and is located
in the Profiles\Macro_Name of profile\ folder, where the "Name of profile" is the profile name the
machine is running. The M6 macro as other macros can contain even complex code to execute a
complete tool change sequence. For more informations about writing macro codes please read point
5. in this manual and the Macroing_capability_detailed.pdf document.
Safe Z height: This parameter defines the Z-axis position which is high enough to safely travel of
the X and Y axis with no risk of a tool collision. This setting is used when the G-code program is
stopped and the code execution pointer is changed by the user and the "run from here" button was
pressed. In this case an initial movement is produced moving the machine to safe Z height first and
moving the machine to the next XY coordinate point.
G73 back off: This parameter sets the distance to back the tool off when a G73 peck drilling g-code
is executed.
Measure dwell in seconds instead of msec: By default the time for dwell is measured in
milliseconds. Ticking this option will measure the time in seconds, so executing a G4 dwell
command will dwell for the P parameter defined amount of seconds instead of milliseconds.
Precompile all macros on startup: If this option is checked then all of the text macros in the
profile folder are complied when the software starts up. The advantage of the macros being
precompiled is that there is no delay when a precompiled macro is executed, because the macro is
already in an executable code form and then the software only needs to execute the macro
executable code. If this option is not set then the macros are compiled when they run the first time
and the macro runs only after the compilation time which is in the 50-200mseconds for most
computers. On the second and next macro runs the macro is already compiled and will run without a
compilation delay.
If this option is set or not set in both cases the macros are always recompiled if the user changes the
macro text. The software checks for the macro text change on every macro calls and recompiles the
macro if the macro code text was changed.
Ofcourse this parameter only influances the text type macros which macros are coded in the
profiles/macros folder. This parameter has no effect on the built in macros, for example on the
M10/M11 fast laser control macros, because these macros are built into the software and do not
need to be compiled on runtime.
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3.7 .Appearance
The appearance screen contains settings about the look of the toolpath viewer screen and the G-
code viewer screen.
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The colors of the background, different paths type, tool center point viewer etc. can be set here.
The following items color can be set:
Show crosshair on TCP: If this checkbox is set then the a crosshair is shown on the TCP marker.
3D TCP marker color checkbox: If this checkbox is set then the TCP markers move always at the
top of the bounderies box and the Z-axis movement is shown with a straight line from the XY point
to the Z actual height. If this checkbox is unchecked then the TCP markers move always on the
actual Z height.
Show cone icon on TCP: If this checkbox is set then a cone icon marks the TCP.
Maximize screen on startup: Setting this checkbox makes the software to start in fullscreen mode.
Rotate TCP marker with plane selection: If this checkbox is set then the TCP marker orientation
changes according to the selected plane G17, G18 or G19.
Show zero marker: If this checkbox is set then a cone icon is shown on the 0,0,0 zero coordinate.
Zero marker color: This is the color of the zero marker cone icon.
Show message on softlimits: If this checkbox is set then a popup window is shown when the
softlimits coordinate is reached and the axis has to stop, otherwise only a status message is shown.
Validate textfields with enter key only: If this checkbox is set then pressing an Enter keyboard
key is required to validate the new input values in textfields. If the checkbox is not set then leaving
the checkbox will always validate the new value.
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Disable automatic jogpanel popup: If this checkbox is checked then the jog control panel does not
pop up automatically when the mouse pointer enters the panel's screen area, but a mouse click is
required on the panel for it to pop up.
Show rotation point marker: If this checkbox is checked then the G68 rotation point is shown
with a cone icon when the G68 code is active.
Show toolpath boundaries marks: If this checkbox is set then the boundaries of the toolpath is
sorrounded with a frame.
Undone path color: This is the color of the toolpath which was yet not executed.
Done path color: This is the color of the toolpath which was already executed.
Rapid path color: This is the color of all rapid (G0) movements in the toolpath.
TCP marker color: This is the tool center point marker's color, which is a cross built from 2 lines
and the 2 lines connects at the tool-center-point.
Background color: This is the color of the toolpath viewer's background.
Boundaries color: This is the color of the toolpath boundary box.
Interpretable codes color: This is the color of the G and M and other codes which the G-code
interpreter understands and which codes are executable by the interpreter.
Non interpretable codes color: This is the color of the G and M and other codes which the G-code
interpreter does not understand and which codes are not executable by the interpreter.
Zero marker color: This is the color of the zero point marker cone on the toolpath.
Selected code highlight color: This is the color of the current selected movement on the toolpath.
DROs warning color: This is the text color of the DROs when they are in warning mode. For
example if the G68 rotation is active then the X and Y current position DROs are drawn with this
color to make the user aware that the coordinates shown are in the rotated coordinate system.
Rotation marker color: This is the color of the rotation point marker cone on the toolpath.
3.8 .Importers
The importers tab page contains settings import functions. Currently a Mach3 .xml setup file
importer is available. Pressing the "Import Mach3 XML file" button a file dialog box appears and a
Mach3 setup file can be imported to the UCCNC software. Loading a Mach3 .xml file imports all
the settings to the UCCNC Configuration screen. The settings can be applied and/or saved pressing
the "Apply settings" and "Save settings" buttons.
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3.9 .Profiles
The profiles tab page contains the setup for the machine profiles.
Each profile can have different machine setup which means that one installation of the UCCNC
software can be used for more than one machine not simultaneously. The Profile files are located at
the UCCNC installation folder and the Profiles subfolder, the default file path is
C:\\UCCNC\Profiles\ , but the installation directory can be different as it is changeable on the
software installation.
The Profile files are named as the name of the profile and has a .pro file extension. Each profile is
stored in a separated file. The .pro files are plain text files with key entries, the files are therefor
editable manually too with a notepad, but we recommend not to edit it this way, because a mistype
can cause the key to be unreadable for the software.
For each profile there is also a folder named Macro_profilename, where the profilename is the name
of the profile. This folder contains the macro files for that profile.
On the profiles tab page all profiles can be listed, new keys can be created, already made profiles
can be deleted and existing keys can be loaded.
The following picture shows the profile tab screen:
Pressing the "list profiles" button lists all of the available profile names in the above listbox. To
select a profile click the name of the profile in the listbox.
After selecting a profile clicking the "delete profile" button will delete that profile. Clicking the load
profile will load that profile.
To create a new profile put the new profile's name into the textbox left next to the create profile
button and press the create profile button. If the "Create shortcut on desktop" checkbox was selected
then a shortcut icon with the profile name will be also created and will be placed on the desktop.
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Double clicking that icon on the desktop will run the UCCNC software loading this profile
automaticaly.
After creating a new profile a new .pro file gets created and placed to the UCCNC\Profiles folder.
Also a new macro folder is getting created with the default macro files inside.
3.9.1 .Operator (un)lock
To lock the setting of the current profile press the Operator (un)lock button and type in a
password. If a password is set then the settings can't be changed, because the Apply settings
and Save settings buttons will not allow the new settings to be applied and saved, but the
software will ask for the password. If the correct password is typed then the profile gets
unlocked and it will again allow applying and saving the settings.
The following image shows the Operator (un)lock window:
3.9.2 .Statistics
The statistics window gives some details about the machine usage, so the operator can more
easily plan the machine maintance work cycles.
The left side of the window lists the total run distance of every axis. The distance is in
Units. The next column shows the total run distance of each axes with active spindle.
The times column shows the following informations:

– Total time, which elapsed with the software profile execution.
– Session time, which elapsed since the software profile was last time started.
– M3 time, which elapsed with the spindle on in the M3 (CW) direction.
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– M4 time, which elapsed with the spindle on in the M4 (CCW) direction.
– Cycles time, which is the total elapsed time with the Cycle running.
The Actions column shows the total switch times of the spindle M3 and M4 and the Mist
and Coolant M7 and M8.
To reset the datas to zero press the Reset button under the columns.
On the bottom of the Window a graph is shown with the communication loop latency.
The graph is continuously updating and scrolling on the screen.
The graph shows a 0-20 milliseconds interval range of the communication loop.
The lower the values the better the latency of the loop is and the more the computer is
sufficient to run the software.
If the graph values are all high is an indication that the computer might have not enough
power to run the software without issues.
The following printscreen shows the Statistics window:
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3.10 .Offsets
The offsets tab page contains all position offset related settings.
Currently the work offsets and a tool offset is available.
The following picture shows the Offsets page:
The offsets page contains 6 sub tab pages, these are the G54, G55, G56, G57, G58 and G59 offset
pages respectively. These sub tab pages are identical and each of them is a different fixture.
The fixtures can be selected with programming G54 to G59 in the G-code program or in the MDI.
There are four columns on each fixture table, the first one is the Current coordinates which is the
Machine coordinates substracted with the Work offsets. The Machine coordinates which is the
absolute coordinate system's actual coordinates, the Work offset coordinates which are separately
setable for each offset coordinate systems and the Current coordinates are offset with these values.
The last column is the Tool offset which is the tool length compensation, this value is common for
all fixtures and currently it is available for the Z-axis only.
The current position can be offset with a single button press by pressing the "Offset current
position" button. Pressing this button offsets all the 6 axis with the actual fixture position.
All offsets can be cleared by pressing the "Clear work offset" button. Clearing the offset will change
the current coordinates, the cleared offst values are added to the Current coordinates.
The tool offset can be cleared by pressing the "Clear tool offset" button. Clearing the tool offset
adds the tool offset to the Current coordinates.
All the Current coordinates, Work offset and the Tool offset are editable on the screen.
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3.11 .Tools
The tools page contains a tools table where there are 96 tool slots listed on 2 tab pages. The
different tools length and diameters can be programmed on the screen. The different tools can be
selected programming G43 H"tool number" or G44 H"tool number" in program or via the MDI.
When programming the G43 or G44, the tool length of the selected tool will be offset to the Z-axis.
The tool offset can be cleared programming G49 in program or via the MDI. The tool radius
compensation can be programmed with the G40/G41/G42 codes.
The following picture shows the Tools page:
The tools page also contains the digitize settings on the digitize tab sub page.
The Digitize activated LED shows when the digitizing function is active. The number of points
currently being stored in the digitize variable array is also shown. The digitizing can be activated
with the M40 command and can be deactivated with the M41 command.
The Digitizing file name textfield shows the name of the file where the digitized points will be
saved. A new upto 6 dimensions point is added to the points variable array when executing a G31
probing command. All points are saved to the file when the M41 command is called and then the
points array is cleared.
Which axes coordinates are saved to the file can be also selected with the Include axis checkboxes
and if the axis names has to be written before the coordinate numbers.
The Comma separated CSV options places a comma character between the coordinates.
The Clear filename setting on M41 to avoid file overwrite option clears the filename string when
the M41 macro is called, so the filename has to be set again, this helps the user to not overwrite the
already saved file with the next digitizing sequence.
If the probe radius is not 0 then the probed point coordinates are compensated with the radius value
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on the XYABC axes.
The following image shows the digitize settings tab page:
The last sub-page on the Tools tab page is the probe page which contains different probing routines
and functions. The probe functions are documentated separately in the
UCCNC/Documentation/Probe_help.mht document file. The same documentation can be opened
with the information (I) button on the probing pages. To run the probe page routines the probing
plugin has to be enabled in the Plugins configuration on the General settings page of software.
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The following images show the probe tab pages:
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3.12 .Diagnostics
The diagnostics page contains visual feedback of the inputs and outputs and functions different
state. The feedback values are shown with virtual LEDs on the screen.
The LEDs are sectioned into 3 columns, these columns are the following:
I/O monitor column: This culomn shows one LED for each input and each output pins on the
UC100 device. The LED states correspond to the logic level of the in and outputs. If the virtual
LED is grey means that the in or output is low. The input type LEDs are green colored and the
output type LEDs are red colored when logic high.
Status monitor column: This cokumn shows the the most important flags in the UC100, there are
virtual LEDs for the current running status of the controller, the status of the jog, dwell, backlash
compensation, Homing, probing actions. Also it is showed if the machine is on any hardware limit
switches and if the limit override function is active. Finally the spindle and the coolant on/off states
are listed. On the right side of the same culomn the step counter DROs are shown, this counter
shows the internal step counter values in the UC100 device, these counters have integer values and
should not be mixed with the position DROs. On the bottom the actual fill of the data buffer is
shown.
At the very bottom of this screen the loaded G-code (job) properties are shown. The G-code job
properties lists the X, Y and Z axis limits, or in other words the minimal and maximal coordinates
where the machine will move when executing the code. And the size of the part is also shown in the
X, Y and Z dimensions. The "total objects number" lists the number of the interpreted objects to
execute in the loaded G-code program. At the bottom the path for the loaded file is listed.
The following printscreen shows the diagnostics screen when running the software with the UC100:
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The diagnostics screen when running the software with the UC300-5LPT:
3.13 .Porting the settings to a different computer
It can be sometimes nessessary to copy the settings of the machine or to just port them to a different
computer. Also it is always a good idea to keep a backup copy of the settings files once the machine
was setup. In the UCCNC software porting the settings is easy, because all the settings are located
in an external text file. This text file is located in the UCCNC installation directory /Profiles
subfolder. The profile file name is always the name of the profile with a .pro extension. For example
the Default named profile file is named Default.pro. Saving this file saves all of the machine
settings and copying this file to the same folder on another installation of the UCCNC will copy the
profile to that computer.
There are some other important files which are the macro files and these files are compiled and
called when M (macro) codes are executed. Each profile has it's own macro directory and this
directory is always named as "Macro_Name of profile" where the "Name of profile" is the profile's
name. This folder also needs to be ported if macro macro calls will be used.
To make the profile ported installation complete and easy to use for the user a shortcut icon can be
created to load the profile directly when double clicked on the Windows desktop or an old shortcut
icon can be copied and edited. To let the shortcut icon load the UCCNC software, edit it's properties
and set the target value to point the UCCNC .exe file's location which is by default the
C:\UCCNC\UCCNC.exe, however the path may be different, because it can be changed at the
software installation. Also set the /p switch for the shortcut icon and write in the name of the profile
which the shortcut has to load when clicked. In summary, the shortcut icon's target icon to load the
profile named testprofile1 should look the following: C:\UCCNC\UCCNC.exe /p testprofile
When double clicking the shortcut icon it runs the UCCNC.exe software and will pass the /p
parameter with the "testprofile" value which will force the UCCNC software to load the profile
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named testprofile.
4 .The code interpreter
The code interpreter can read the G-code program when opened from file and also it can read G-
code commands if entered into the MDI. The interpreter first reads the code then compiles it to and
internal structure list which it can execute as movements, I/O manipulations or whatever the code
has to do when executed.
When the code is loaded from a G-code file the interpreter marks the codes it understood and which
it can execute with a different color than the codes it cannot understand and can't execute.
This colored code text is shown in the g-code viewer control on the screen.
In default the codes which can be executed are marked with a white color and the ones which the
interpreter can't understand and are not executable are marked with a red color by default, but these
colors are configurable on the appearance settings page.
4.1 .Supported codes
The supported codes are the codes which the code interpreter understands and which it can execute.
In the following sections these codes are listed with some descriptions.
When developing we followed the industry standard RS274 format and used the same codes which
codes this standard implements.
4.1.1 .G-codes
In this section of the documentation the currently supported G-codes are listed, these are the codes
which the code interpreter understands. The list of the supported G-codes will change, we planned
to add support for more codes in the future, but the currently supported codes already covers the
needs of the avarage machining jobs.
Most of the g-codes are in modal groups. In one modal group only one code can be and has to be
active the same time. The following table lists the modal groups implemented in the UCCNC
software:
Name and number of modal group Member G words

Non-modal codes (Group 0) G4, G10, G28, G28.1, G31, G33, G33.1, G33.2,
G76, G52, G53, G92, G92.1
Motion (Group 1) G0, G1, G2, G3, G73, G80, G81, G82, G83,
G84, G85, G86, G89
Plane selection (Group 2) G17, G18, G19
Distance Mode (Group 3) G90, G91
Feed Rate Mode (Group 5) G93, G94
Cutter Diameter Compensation (Group 7) G40, G41, G42
Tool Length Offset (Group 8) G43, G44, G49
Canned Cycles Return Mode (Group 10) G98, G99
Coordinate System (Group 12) G54, G55, G56, G57, G58, G59
Control Mode (Group 13) G61, G61.1, G64
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Scale (Group 16) G50, G51
Coordinate system rotation (Group 17) G68, G69
The supported G-codes are the following:
Rapid Linear Motion : G0
For rapid linear motion, program G0 X… Y… Z… A… B… C…, where all the axis words are
optional. The G0 is optional if the current motion mode is G0.
If absolute distance mode is selected (G90) then this command will produce coordinated linear
motion to the destination point at the maximal possible feed rate.
If relative distance mode is selected (G91) then this command will produce coordinated linear
motion to the current point plus the programmed point coordinates. In other words the new point
will be an increment on the current point.
It is expected that cutting will not take place when a G0 command is executing.
If all axis words are ommited then no motion will happen, but the active motion mode changes to
G0. The axis coordinates
Linear Motion at Feed Rate : G1
For linear motion at feed rate (for cutting or not), program G1 X… Y… Z… A… B… C…,
where all the axis words are optional. The G1 is optional if the current motion mode is G1.
If absolute distance mode is selected (G90) then this command will produce coordinated linear
motion with the programmed feedrate to the destination point at the maximal possible feed rate.
If relative distance mode is selected (G91) then this command will produce coordinated linear
motion with the programmed feedrate to the current point plus the programmed point coordinates.
In other words the new point will be an increment on the current point.
If all axis words are ommited then no motion will happen, but the active motion mode changes to
G1.
Arc at Feed Rate : G2 and G3
A circular or helical arc is specified using either G2 (clockwise arc) or G3 (counterclockwise arc).
– The arc lies on the XY plane if the G17 plane is in selection.

– The arc lies on the XZ plane if the G18 plane is in selection.
– The arc lies on the YZ plane if the G19 plane is in selection.
A 3rd axis offset can be also programmed, in this case the 3rd axis will do a linear motion and will
start to move the programmed distance when the arc interpolation starts and finishes the movement
when the arc interpolation ends. If the 3rd axis offset is programmed then the path will be a helix
instead of an arc.
There are two ways to define the arc, one way is the center mode and the other is the radius mode.
In the center mode the I and J and K parameters defines the center of the circle.
In the radius mode the R parameter defines the radius of the circle.
To interpolate an arc or helix in the center format, program G2 (or G3) X... Y... Z... I... J... K... ,
where X and Y and Z are the endpoint coordinates and
– if the G17 plane is selected then I and J specifies the center of the arc.
– if the G18 plane is selected then I and K specifies the center of the arc.
– if the G19 plane is selected then J and K specifies the center of the arc.
To interpolate an arc or helix in the radius format, program G2 (or G3) X... Y... Z... R... , where X
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and Y and Z are the endpoint coordinates of the arc and R specifies the radius of the arc. A positive
radius indicates that the arc turns through 180 degrees or less, while a negative radius indicates a
turn of 180 degrees to less than 360 degrees.
In both formats the axis coordinates mean the endpoint of the arc or helix if the absolute distance
mode is selected (G90). And in relative distance mode the endpoint is the current point plus the
programmed coordinates.
The following image shows the directions of the arcs on the different planes:
Dwell : G4
For a dwell, program G4 P…. This will keep the axes unmoving for the period of time in
milliseconds. specified by the P number.
It is an error if:
• the P number is negative.
Set tool lengt in tool table: G10 L1
To set the tool length value program G10 L1 P … Z … R ..., where the where the P number must
evaluate to an integer in the range 1 to 96 (corresponding to tool number 1 to 96.)
The programmed Z parameter will be the tool length for the programmed tool.
The programmed R parameter will be the tool radius of the programmed tool.
The tool length data is uploaded to the Tools table screen of the UCCNC software.
The tool radius data times 2 (D=R*2) is uploaded to the Tools table screen of the UCCNC software.
It is an error if:
• the P number does not evaluate to an integer in the range 1 to 96.
Set Coordinate System Data : G10 L2
To set the coordinate values for the origin of a coordinate system, program
G10 L2 P … X… Y… Z… A… B… C…, where the P number must evaluate to an integer in the
range 1 to 6 (corresponding to G54 to G59) and all axis words are optional. The coordinates of
the origin of the coordinate system specified by the P number are reset to the coordinate values
given (in terms of the machine coordinate system). Only those coordinates for which an axis word
is included on the line will be reset.
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It is an error if:
• the P number does not evaluate to an integer in the range 1 to 6.
Example: G10 L2 P1 x 3.5 y 17.2 sets the origin of the first coordinate system (the one selected
by G54) to a point where X is 3.5 and Y is 17.2 (in machine coordinates). The Z coordinate of the
origin (and the coordinates for any rotational axes) are whatever those coordinates of the origin
were before the line was executed.
Plane selection : G17, G18, G19
To select the XY plane program G17.

To select the XZ plane program G18.
To select the YZ plane program G19.
Arcs will be interpolated on the selected plane. For more informations please read the description
about G2, G3 in this documentation.
Run to home position : G28
To move the machine to the set home coordinates , program G28 X... Y... Z... A... B... C...,
where the parameters are the axis coordinates of an intermediate point.
When executing the G28 code and if any intermediate coordinates are programmed then the
machine will first make a move to this point with rapid linear interpolation (G0) and from this point
it will move to the set home coordinates again with G0 interpolation.
If intermediate coordinates are not programmed then the machine moves straight to the home
position.
Warning: Only execute a G28 when the machine is homed.
Home axis: G28.1
To home the machine, program G28.1 X... Y... Z... A... B... C..., where the parameters are the axis
coordinates of an intermediate point.
When executing the G28.1 code and if any intermediate coordinates are programmed then the
machine will first make a move to this point with rapid linear interpolation (G0) and from this point
it will start a homing sequence, will home the programmed axes with the feedrate setup in the
homing configuration. The homing sequence will be in the order setup in the homing configuration.
If no axis words are programmed then the code will execute the same procedure as the Home all
button does, it will home all the axes without any prior movement.
Straight Probe : G31
Program G31 X… Y… Z… A… B… C…to perform a straight probe operation.

Currently programming one axis word one time is allowed only.
In response to this command, the machine moves the controlled point (which should be at the end
of the probe tip) in a straight line at the current feed rate toward the programmed point. If the probe
trips the coordinates at the trigger point are written into the variables #5061 to # 5066 (axes
coordinates X to C in order) and the axis stops with deceleration.
If the probe does not trip even after reaching the programmed coordinate, the axis stops and the
probing action ends. In this case the variables #5061 to #5066 are set to 0 value.
In addition to the axes coordinates variables the variable #5060 is written to value 0 if the probe
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input was triggered and therefor the operation ended with success. It is written to value 1 if the
probe was not triggered and the probing ended with reaching the programmed endpoint and it is
written to value 2 if the probe input was already active when the G31 command was issued and
therefor the movement was aborted.
The probing command can be practically combined with other macro scripts, an example code is the
M31 macro code which code can be find in the Macros library.
An extra function for probing is the software's ability to probe with jogging. If the probe input
activates while the machine is jogging then the axes stop automatically and the current jog direction
on the axes get disabled until the probe input deactivates. This protects the probe from getting
damaged from over traveling the touch point. The machine operator can re-enable the disabled
jogging directions with jogging the axes off the probe deactivating the probe input.
Spindle Syncronised motion : G33
Program G33 X... Z... K... Q... to perform a spindle syncronised motion, where the X parameter is
the final position of the X-axis, the Z parameter is the final position of the Z-axis. The K parameter
is the pitch per revolution and the Q parameter is the start angle in degrees.
For the spindle syncronised motion an incremental encoder with A, B and Index channels has to be
installed onto the spindle and the spindle encoder has to be setup in the software.
When executing a G33 command, the motion controller will first waiting for the index channel
signal from the spindle encoder and will syncronise the feedrate to the rotational speed.
The start angle (Q parameter) defines the angle between the encoder index signal and the motion
controller measures the set angle after the index signal and starts the motion at this angle.
The G33 motion is always on a straight line just like with G1, but it is always on the XZ plane and
the feedrate is continously syncronised to the spindle speed and taking the pitch (K) parameter into
account. The syncronised motion always ends at the programmed X and Z coordinates.
If both the X and Z coordinates are programmed for the G33 command and if both coordinates
differs from the starting coordinates then the thread will be cut on a cone on the XZ plane and the
thread will then not be parallel to the Z not the X axis. The pitch is then calculated on axis which
makes the longer movement.
If more G33 commands follows eachother and if the start angle is not programmed or only
programmed for the first G33 command then the rest G33 commands will be syncronised with the
previous G33 command which makes it possible to cut a continous thread even with changing pitch.
Rigit tapping G33.1 and G33.2
To execute a right hand (Leads in with M3) rigid tapping cycle program G33.1 Z... K... Q... and to
program a left hand (Leads in with M4) rigid tapping cycle program G33.2 Z... K... Q..., where the
Z parameter is the bottom of the tap along the Z-axis and the K is the thread pitch per revolution.
The Q parameter is optional and defines the peck depth.
If the Q parameter is not programmed then the tapping cycle is executed from a single pass.
If the Q parameter is programmed then a peck tapping is made with each cycle incements Q depth
and a spindle syncronised tool pull off happens to the tapping command start position.
If the Q parameter value is not an integer divider of the full tap depth then the final tap depth will be
still correct, in this case the last peck cycle depth incremenet will be shorter than the Q parameter
value.
The difference between the G33.1 and G33.2 is the direction of the thread, the G33.1 starts the
tapping with CW rotation of the spindle, with M3 command in action when the tool is leading into
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the material and leads out with an M4 command. The G33.2 command starts the tapping with an
M4 command when the tool is leading into the material and leads out with an M3 command.
Prior to a rigid tapping cycle the tool on the XY plane should be moved to above the drilled hole
which needs to be tapped and the M3 or M4 comamnd must be active. (depending on which code
was executed.)
A rigid tapping command executes the following cycle:
1.) The motion controller waits for the index signal of the spindle encoder and measures the
rotational speed of the spindle and syncronises the Z-axis feedrate to the spindle speed with
taking the thread pitch (K) parameter into account. The spindle should be already rotating to
the correct direction, otherwise the tapping will not start and the software will wait for the
spindle to turn.
2.) The Z-axis motion starts and the tool is moved down to the programmed Z position.
3.) At the bottom of the tap, at the programmed Z position the spindle direction is switched.
If it is a G33.1 command then the M3 is switched to M4, or if it is a G33.2 command then
the M4 command will switch to M3. This will reverse the spindle rotational direction. The
syncron between the spindle and the Z-axis feedrate is kept.
4.) The tool is moved out from the material to the starting point where the motion controller
removes the syncron between the spindle and the Z-axis feedrate.
The Z-axis stops using the set decceleration. This means that the axis will overrun the start
point a bit, because it needs to travel a distance to deccelerate from the current feedrate.
5.) The Z-axis is moved down to the start point with a rapid movement.
Cutter radius compensation: G40, G41 and G42
To turn the cutter radius compensation on from left, program G41 D...
To turn the cutter radius compensation on from the right, program G42 D...
The D parameter is the tool number in the tool table to be used for the cutter compensation.
To turn the cutter radius compensation off, program G40.
When a G41 D... or G42 D... is programmed then the software starts performing the cutter radius
compensation routine. The controller reads the tool diameter from the tooltable and uses the radius
of the tool to offset the toolpath.
If the D parameter is not programmed then the radius of the currently selected tool is used for the
cutter radius compensation.
The cutter radius compensation routine can be performed on the G17 (XY) plane only.
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It is an error if the G18 or G19 plane is active and the cutter radius compensation is turned on.
It is also an error if the cutter radius compensation is on and a G33 or G76 thread cut code is
executed.
The following image shows how the cutter compensation is performed under different angles:
The symbols meanings are the followings:
r: The cutter radius value.

L: A line section.
C: An arc section.
S: The stop point when in single line execution.
Continous line: The programmed path.
Dashed line: The cutter radius offset path.
It is possible that no connection point is found with the set cutter radius. In this case the software
gives a warning. The Cutter radius compensation warning list window appears when the g-code file
which contains a G41 or G42 code is loaded and if there were any issues were found during the
offset path calculation.
If the warnings are considered errors or not depends on the particular job and the user can check the
warning lists and decide if the warning causes any problems for the job.
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The warnings window can be enabled/disabled with the “Show R compensation analysis on file
load” checkbox on the Configuration/Appearance tab page. When this option is disabled then the
warning window is never shown.
The following printscreen image shows an example of the warnings:
The possible warning codes are as follows:
Warn code 1: Approach distance too low.

This warning happens when the tool is closer to the startpoint than the cutter radius.
Warn code 2: Approach angle too low, angle < 180°.

This warning happens when the angle of the starting point and the next 2 points is smaller than
180°, because this can cause an undercut when the tool approaches the toolpath.
Warn code 3: Approach line is missing. First movement is arc.

This warning happens if the first programmed movement is an arc. It is recommended that the first
programmed item is a line.
Warn code 4: Line-line connection was not found with offset value.
This warning happens if there is no connection point between 2 path items. This can happen
because of several reasons, for example the angle is too small compared to the used cutter radius, so
the tool does not fit inside the two items.
Warn code 5: Arc radius is smaller than the compensation radius for inner retreat.
This warning happens when an arc's radius is smaller than the cutter radius for an inner retreat and
so the tool does not fit inside the arc.
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Tool Length Offsets : G43, G44 and G49
To use a tool length offset, program G43 H…, where the H number is the desired index in the tool
table. The H number should be, but does not have to be, the same as the slot number of the tool
currently in the spindle. It is OK for the H number to be zero, an offset value of zero will be used.
It is an error if:
• the H number is not an integer, is negative, or is larger than the number of carousel slots, which is
currently set to a value of 20.
The G44 command is similar to the G43, but for negative tool length offsets.
To cancel the tool length offset compensation, program G49.
It is OK to program using the same offset already in use. It is also OK to program using no tool
length offset if none is currently being used.
Reset all scale factors to 1 : G50
To reset the scale factor to value 1 on all XYZABC axes program G50.
The command has no parameters.
Set scale factors : G51
To scale any axis program G51 X… Y… Z… A… B… C… , where the axis parameters define the
scaling factors and can be positive and negative numbers. In case of negative scale factors the axis
gets mirrored.
All parameters are optional, but at least one parameter has to be defined.
The scaling happens on the axes around the 0 point in the current coordinate system.
All motion commands including linear and circular motion commands are scaled with the defined
scale factor, except the G33, G33.1, G33.2 and G76 commands, these are not allowed to be scaled.
A simple scaled movement example:

G90
G0 X0
G51 X2
G1 X1
This code will move the X axis to position X=2*1 = 2, because the X axis was scaled to 2.
It is an error if:
– Different scale factor values are set for the 2 axes of an arc.
– Executing G33 thread cutting command when the X or Z axis is scaled.
– Executing G76 thread cutting command when the X or Z axis is scaled.
– Executing G33.1 or G33.2 rigid tapping command when Z axis is scaled.
Temporary offset coordinate system : G52
To offset the current point by a given positive or negative distance (without motion), program
G52 X... Y... Z... A... B... C..., where the axis words contain the offsets you want to provide. All axis
words are optional, except that at least one must be used. If an axis word is not used for a given
axis, the coordinate on that axis of the current point is not changed.
It is an error if all axis words are omitted.
When G52 is executed, the origin of the currently active coordinate system moves by the coordinate
values given.
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The effect of G52 is cancelled by programming: G52 X0 Y0 etc.
The axis offsets are always specified in absolute values and effects all fixture coordinate systems.
Move in Machine Coordinates : G53
For linear motion to a point expressed in machine coordinates, program G1 G53 X… Y… Z…

A… B… C… (or use G0 instead of G1), where all the axis words are optional, except that at least
one must be used. The G0 or G1 is optional if it is the current motion mode. G53 is not modal and
must be programmed on each line on which it is intended to be active. This will produce
coordinated linear motion to the programmed point. If G1 is active, the speed of motion is the
current feed rate (or slower if the machine will not go that fast). If G0 is active, the speed of
motion is the current traverse rate (or slower if the machine will not go that fast).
It is an error if:
• G53 is used without G0 or G1 being active.
Select Coordinate System : G54 to G59
To select coordinate system 1, program G54, and similarly for other coordinate systems. The
system number G-code pairs are: (1—G54), (2—G55), (3—G56), (4—G57), (5—G58), (6—G59)
Set Path Control Mode to exact stop : G61, G61.1
Program G61 or G61.1 to put the machine into exact stop path control mode.
Set Path Control Mode to constant velocity : G64
Program G64 D... E... H... L... P... Q... to put the machine into constant velocity path control mode.
All parameters are optional. If any parameters are left out (not programmed) then the software will
get that parameter's value from the screen settings.
The parameter D is the Stop angle setting.
The parameter E is the Lookhead lines setting.
The parameter H is the Linear error setting.
The parameter L is the Linear addition length setting.
The parameter P is the Unify length setting.
The parameter Q is the Corner error setting.
Rotate coordinate system: G68
To rotate the coordinate system around a defined point on the XY plane program: G68 A... B... R...,
where the A parameter is the X coordinate and the B parameter is the Y coordinate of the rotation
center point and the R parameter is the rotation angle measured in degrees.
The A and B parameters are optional and if one parameter is missing then the current point of that
axis is used for that rotation coordinate.
The rotation angle is programmed in degrees and a positive value means a counter-clockwise and a
negative value makes a clockwise rotation.
When the rotation is enabled all of the motion commands are rotated, except the movements in the
absolute coordinate system (G53).
The rotation is applicable only on the XY plane.
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It is an error if:
– The rotation is applied when the active plane is not G17 (XY) or if the G18 or G19 plane is
selected when the rotation is active.
– Executing G33 thread cutting commands when the rotation is active.
– Executing G76 thread cutting commands when the rotation is active.
–
Reset coordinate system rotation: G69
To reset the rotation of the coordinate system program G69.

The command has no parameters.
Peck drilling cycle with set backoff distance: G73
To execute a peck drilling cycle with a set back off distance, program G73 X... Y... Z... Q... R... ,
where the X, Y and the R parameters are optional and the Q parameter is modal.
The peck drilling cycle rapids to the XY coordinates and then to the R plane where it begins to feed
down in increments of Q at a feed rate of F to a depth of Z. At the end of each Q increment the drill
will stop and back off the distance set on the General configuration screen's G73 back off label
value to break a possible stringer chip and then continue with he next increment of Q. As in all
pecking cycles the programmer does not need to calculate the number of pecks and peck distance
that will equal the exact Z Depth. The controller will calculate the distance of the last peck to
coincide with the Z depth. At the end of the cycle the Z axis returns to the R plane if the R
parameter was set or to the initial plane if the R parameter was not set.
Threading cycle: G76
To execute a threading cycle, program G76 P... Z... I... J... K... E... L... Q... H... , where the
parameters are the following:
P: The pitch of the thread in distance units per spindle revolution.

Z: The final position of the thread along the Z-axis.
I: The thread peak position in units along the X-axis. This is the starting height of the thread and
the material was mostly turned down to this size.
J: Cut depth per pass. The first cut will be J beyond I along the X-axis.
K: Full thread depth. The last cut will be this deep along the X-axis.
E: Taper length. Specifies the length of the taper(s). For a 45° taper program the E parameter equal
to the K parameter.
L: Tapered ends. Specifies which end of the workpiece will get a taper. L0 means no taper, L1
means start taper, L2 means end taper, L3 means both start and end tapers.
Q: Slide in angle. Specifies an angle between the cuts. As the tool goes from one cut depth to the
other the cut start is offset along the Z-axis with this angle measured from the X-axis. Programming
a positive or negative angle will make one or the other side of the tool to remove more material.
H: Number of final cuts. To make any extra cuts on the final depth program this parameter other
than 0. The value of the parameter will define the number of extra cuts on the final depth. If the
parameter is not set the default value of 0 will be used causing a single final depth cut.
For the thread cutting cycle first move the tool to the starting point and then program the G76 with
the required parameters. Executing the thread cutting code the tool will move to the thread peak
position (I parameter) along the X axis in case no start taper is programmed. If a start taper is
programmed then the tool will first move to the thread peak position minus the full thread depth.
The motion controller will wait for the index signal input and will syncronise the axis feedrates to
the spindle encoder. The thread cutting will start on the index signal and the feedrate is continously
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syncronised to the spindle speed. If a start taper was programmed then the tool cuts the taper first
and this motion is also syncronised to the spindle.
The thread cutting ends on the exact programmed Z position if no slide in angle was programmed
(Q parameter) or if a slide in angle was programmed then the final Z position will be compensated
with the slide in angle which can be in positive or negative direction depending on the sign of the Q
parameter.
If an end taper was programmed then the tool will slide out from the material also in syncron
making a taper to the end of the thread. The end taper angle will be the same as the start tapper
angle, in other words the start and the end tappers will be symmetrical.
At the end of each thread cutting cycle the tool rapids out to the starting X coordinate first leaving
the material and then to the start Z coordinate and begins a new cut cycle with a new cut depth.
The process continues until the final thread depth is reached and if the H parameter is set other then
zero then the final cut depth cycle is repeated H times.
Cancel canned cycle: G80
To cancel the drilling cycle program G80. The command cancels the drilling cycle and the last
programmed G0, G1, G2 or G3 modal motion mode gets enabled.
Drilling cycle: G81
To execute a drilling cycle program G81 X... Y... Z... R..., where the X and Y parameters are the
coordinates of the drill on the XY plane, the Z parameter is the endpoint of the drill along the Z-axis
and the R parameter is the retract plane.
The G81 code moves the tool to the XY coordinates with a single rapid movement where it starts
moving down to the programmed Z coordinate along the Z-axis with the set feedrate.
When the Z endpoint gets reached the Z axis reverses and rapids out of the drill to the retract plane.
Drilling cycle with dwell: G82
To execute a drilling cycle with dwell program G82 X... Y... Z... R..., P... where the X and Y
parameters are the coordinates of the drill on the XY plane, the Z parameter is the endpoint of the
drill along the Z-axis, the R parameter is the retract plane and the P parameter is a dwell time in
milliseconds.
The G82 is very similar to the G81 code, the only difference is that the software dwells at the
bottom of the drill before it rapids the tool out.
Peck drilling cycle with full backoff distance: G83
To execute a peck drilling cycle with a full back off distance, program G83 X... Y... Z... Q... R... ,
where the X, Y and the R parameters are optional and the Q parameter is modal.
The G83 code is very similar to the G73, the only difference is that at each peck increments the
controller returns to the R plane if the R plane was programmed or to the initial plane if the R
parameter was not set. The purpose of this command is the same as of the G73, but because of the
full retract at each increments can break spiral chips better.
Rigid peck tapping cycle: G84
To execute a rigid peck tapping cycle, program G84 X... Y... Z... K... Q... R... H...,
where the X, Y and the R and H parameters are optional and the Q and K parameters are modal.
The Z parameter is the bottom of the tap along the Z-axis and is modal and the K parameter is the
thread pitch per revolution and is modal.
The XY parameters define the position of the drill.
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The R parameter defines the retract plane.
The Q parameter is modal and defines the peck depth.
If the Q parameter is not programmed then the tapping cycle is executed from a single pass, except
if the Q parameter was previously defined, then the previous Q value will be used, because the Q
parameter is modal.
If the Q parameter is programmed then a peck tapping is made with each cycle incements Q depth
and a spindle syncronised tool pull off happens to the R plane or to the initial plane depending on if
the G98 or G99 code is active.
If the Q parameter value is not an integer divider of the full tap depth then the final tap depth will be
still correct, in this case the last peck cycle depth increment will be shorter than the Q parameter
value.
The H parameter is optional and if it is not defined or if it's value is 0 then it is a right hand tap
otherwise it is a left hand tap.
The G84 cycle is only allowed to be programmed on the XY (G17) plane. It is an error if the G84 is
programmed when the G18 or G19 plane is active.
Boring cycle with feed out: G85
The G85 cycle is very similar to the G81 cycle except that the retraction of the tool is with the
current feedrate and not with rapid.
Boring cycle with dwell and spindle stop/start: G86
The G86 cycle is very similar to the G82 cycle except that the spindle is stopped at the bottom of
the drill before the retraction of the tool and the spindle restarts rotation to the same direction it was
spinning before stopped when the retraction finished.
In addition to the G82 code parameters the G86 code has an optional H parameter. If the H
parameter is not programmed or if it's value is 0 then the retraction is executed with rapid otherwise
it is executed with the programmed feedrate.
Boring cycle with dwell and feed out: G89
The G89 cycle is very similar to the G82 cycle except that the retraction of the tool is with the
current feedrate and not with rapid.
Absolute distance mode selection: G90
To select absolute distance mode program G90. This will make coordinates in the executed
commands to be interpreted as absolute position values.
The G90 command can be executed any time in code execution or via the MDI.
Relative distance mode selection: G91
To select relative distance mode program G91. This will make the coordinates in the execured
commands to be interpreted as relative position values to the actual coordinates.
The G91 command can be executed any time in code execution or via the MDI.
Temporary offset to programmed coordinates : G92
To make the current point have the coordinates you want (without motion), program
G92 X... Y... Z... A... B... C..., where the axis words contain the axis numbers you want. All axis
words are optional, except that at least one must be used. If an axis word is not used for a given
axis, the coordinate on that axis of the current point is not changed.
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It is an error if all axis words are omitted.
When G92 is executed, the origin of the currently active coordinate system moves. To do this,
origin offsets are calculated so that the coordinates of the current point with respect to the moved
origin are as specified on the line containing the G92. The offset for an axis is the amount the origin
must be moved so that the coordinate of the controlled point on the axis has the specified value.
The axis offsets are always specified in absolute values and effects all fixture coordinate systems.
Because the G92 offset is temporary, unlike the other offsets the G92 offset coordinates are not
saved when closing the software. The G92 offset coordinates are always 0 on software startup.
Reset temporary offset coordinates : G92.1
To reset the G92 offset coordinatets program G92.1.
Inverse time feedrate mode: G93
In inverse time feed rate mode the F word means that the move should be completed in [one divided
by the F number] minutes. For example if the F number is 2, the move should be completed in half
a minute.
When the inverse time feedrate mode is active, an F word must appear on every line which has a
G1, G2, or G3. The inverse time feedrate mode does not effect the feedrate of the rapid (G0)
movements.
Units per minute feedrate mode: G94
In units per minute feedrate mode the F word means that the axes should make the tool center point
to travel the programmed amount of distance units per minute. For example F10 should make the
tool center point to travel 10 units distance per minute.
Canned cycle return level to initial plane : G98
To make the canned cycles retract to the plane the depth axis was program G98.
The axis will return to the initial plane only if the initial plane is higher then the plane programmed
by the R word, otherwise if it is lower then the axis will return to the R plane.
Canned cycle return level to R plane : G99
To make the canned cycles retract to the plane programmed with the R word, program G99.
4.1.2 .M-codes
Macro codes can be called from code execution or via the MDI control. To program a macro call
Mx, where 'x' means a positive integer number and this number is the number of the macro to call.
Macros are text files and located in the folder of the machine profile.
There are default macros in the RS274 language and there are some other macros which we
prepared as an example. These macros and their functions are described in this section of the
documentation.
Macros can have parameters. The parameters are passed to the macro script file and can be used as
predefined variable values inside the macro script file.
There are 2 ways to pass variables to the macro, one way is to pass upto 3 parameters
programmable with the 'E', 'H' and 'Q' prefixes.
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For example 'M300 E1.2 H3 Q4.5'.
The parameters are all optional and if a parameter is set it can be used inside the macro with the
Evar, Hvar and Qvar variables. These variables are always defined and set when the macro is called.
The default value of all these parameters are 'null', if the parameters does not exist when called then
the parameters will have a 'null' value.
The other way to pass parameters to macros is to place the variables in {} brackets next to the
macro call.
For example 'M300 {A1.2 B2.3 C3.4}'
Using the brackets for passing variables a much larger number of parameters can be passed, the
available letters for the parameters are: A, B, C, D, E, H, I, J, K, L, N, O, P, Q, R, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.
In the macro file the variables can be refered and used as a member of the 'Allvars' structure, for
example: Allvars.Avar , Allvars.Bvar.
If no variable is passed to the macro then the Allvars structure is not getting created it's value is
'null'. If a variable is not defined in the call code then that variable member will have a null value.
The macro writer should make a check whether a variable was passed or not before using the
variable in the macro. The check can be done as the following example shows. In the example code
the Allvars structure is checked if exists first and then if the X variable was defined and passed.
if(Allvars != null)
{
if (Allvars.Xvar != null)
{
MessageBox.Show(exec.mainform, ""+Allvars.Xvar); //Print the X variable to a MessageBox
}
}
The following are the default macros built into the UCCNC:
Program stop: M0, M1, M60

Program M0, M1 or M60 to stop the g-code program execution. The code execution can be
continued with a new cycle start operation.
The M0, M1 and M60 codes function the same, but they activate different virtual LEDs so the user
and plugins and macros can distinguish which code was activated.
Program end: M2
Program M2 to end the g-code program.
The M2 macro can be programmed in code execution only, in MDI it has no meaning.
Turn spindle clockwise: M3

Program M3 to start the spindle rotation in the clockwise direction.
The M3 macro can be programmed in code execution and via the MDI.
Turn spindle counterclockwise: M4

Program M4 to start the spindle rotation in the counterclockwise direction.
Stop spindle turning: M5

Program M5 to stop the spindle rotation.
Tool change: M6
To change a tool in the spindle from the tool currently in the spindle to the tool most recently
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selected, program M6 which will call the M6 macro. The number of the tool to select can be
programmed with the "T" keyword.
We supplied an example tool change M6 macro in the macro library of the Default profile.
Example usage: M6 T2 , will change the current tool to tool number 2.
The M6 macro calls can be overridden in the setup on the general settings tab page!
Coolant Control: M7, M8, M9

To turn mist coolant on, program M7.
To turn flood coolant on, program M8.
To turn all coolant off, program M9.
It is always OK to use any of these commands, regardless of what coolant is on or off.
Activate syncronous fast PWM (laser) output: M10

To activate an output in syncron with the motion program M10 Q..., where the Q parameter is the
duty cycle of the PWM output pin and the range is 0..255 for the 0 to 100% duty cycles. If the Q
keyword is omitted then the maximum 255 value is used. The output port and pin number can be
selected on the Configuration/I/O setup tab page. The output will be a PWM and the duty cycle of
this signal will be set by the programmed Q parameter.
The M10 command can be used to control a laser device or any other device which requires fast and
syncronous switching with the motion.
Deactivate syncronous fast PWM (laser) output: M11

To deactivate an output in syncron with the motion program M11
Executing this macro will switch off the fast syncronous laser output if it was previously switched
on with an M10 Q... command.
Activate syncronous fast digital output: M10.1 … M10.10

To activate one of the 10 pcs outputs in syncron with the motion program M10.1 to M10.10.
The syncron outputs are digital (on/off).
These commands are supported by our ethernet controllers only.
Activate syncronous fast digital output: M11.1 … M11.10

To deactivate one of the 10 pcs output in syncron with the motion program M11.1 to M11.10.
These commands are supported by our ethernet controllers only.
Stop program and rewind code: M30

To stop the program and rewind the code to the first line, program M30.
Usually the M30 is placed at the very end of the G-code program.
Start digitizing: M40

To start the digitizing process and collect probed points execute M40.
Stop digitizing: M41

To stop the digitizing process and to save the probed points to file execute M41.
Program rewind and continue running: M47

To rewind the program and continue code execution from the first line, program M47.
Usually the M47 is placed at the very end of the G-code program.
Enable the spindle speed and feedrate override controls: M48

To enable the feedrate override (FRO) and spindle speed override (SRO), program M48.
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Disable the spindle speed and feedrate override controls: M49
To disable the feedrate override (FRO) and spindle speed override (SRO), program M49.
Enable/Disable the feedrate override control: M50

M50 enables the feedrate override control (FRO).
M50 P0 disables the feedrate override control (FRO).
Enable/Disable the spindle speed override control: M51

M51 enables the spindle speed override control (SRO).
M51 P0 disables the spindle speed override control (SRO).
Wait on input: M66

To make the g-code cycle execution to wait on an input program M66 P... E... L... Q...
P specifies the digital input pin number

E specifies the digital input port number
L specifies the wait mode type.
Mode 0: IMMEDIATE : no waiting, the function returns immediately. The current value of the input
is stored in parameter #5399
Mode 1: RISE - waits for the selected input to perform a rise event.
Mode 2: FALL - waits for the selected input to perform a fall event.
Mode 3: HIGH - waits for the selected input to go to the HIGH state.
Mode 4: LOW - waits for the selected input to go to the LOW state.
Q specifies the timeout in seconds for waiting. If the timeout is exceeded, the wait is interrupted and
the variable #5399 will be holding the value -1. The Q value is ignored if the L-word is zero
(IMMEDIATE mode).
Subroutine call: M98

To call a subroutine program: M98 P... L..., where the P parameter defines the number of the
subroutine to call and the L number defines the number of times the subroutine needs to be called.
If the L parameter is not programmed then the default L value of 1 is used.
It is an error if the P parameter is not programmed.
A subroutine call can be placed inside another subroutine. The subroutine stack is 100 level deep.
If a subroutine call is deeper than the subroutine stack size then the stack will get full and a popup
window will indicate this error and the code execution will be stopped. The stack full error is likely
to happen if a subroutine is called from itself which will create an infinate loop and stack overflow.
Return from subroutine: M99

To return from a subroutine program M99.
This will return the line pointer to the code line the call was made.
It is an error if the M99 code was called without an M98 code was called, in this case the code
interpreter will not know where to return the code line pointer and a popup window will indicate
this error and the code execution will stop.
Enable THC (Torch Height Control) control for plasma: M205

To enable the THC control for a plasma cutter machine program M205.
The THC control will use the THC up and THC down and THC on signals to control the Z-axis
position. This macro runs in syncron with the g-code without delays and without axes decceleration
or stop.
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Disable THC (Torch Height Control) control for plasma: M206
To enable the THC control for a plasma cutter machine program M206.
This macro runs in syncron with the g-code without delays and without axes decceleration or stop.
Enable the THC (Torch Height Control) delay for plasma: M207
To enable the THC delay for plasma cutter machine program M207.
The THC delay disables the THC inputs control to control the Z-axis for the set amount of time
after the torch fires. This protects the machine from the Z-axis to be pushed downwards to the table
because of the high Voltage generated while the arc is piercing the sheet.
The THC delay time can be set in the UCCNC setup.
Disable the THC (Torch Height Control) delay for plasma: M208
To disable the THC delay for plasma cutter machine program M208.
Enable the THC (Torch Height Control) anti dive function for plasma: M209
To enable the THC anti dive function for plasma cutter machine program M209.
The THC anti dive function runs directly in the motion controller. The function measures the
feedrate of the movements and if the feedrate drops below the programmed value times the setup
percentage then the downwards movement of the Z-axis controlled by the THC gets temporarily
disabled. As soon as the feedrate rises back to the programmed rate times the set percentage the Z
axis downwards control gets enabled again.
This function is to protect the Z-axis to be pushed downwards to the table when the feedrate drops
and when a constant feedrate can't be maintained by the software for example if the code contains
direction changes when the machine axes have to deccelerate and therefor the feedrate must be
dropped. This cut feedrate reduction can cause the arc voltage to rise and the THC control will
direct the Z-axis downwards. The anti dive function protects against this unwanted effect.
Disable the THC anti dive function for plasma: M210

To disable the THC anti dive function for plasma cutter machine program M210.
Enable the THC (Torch Height Control) anti down function for plasma: M211
To enable the THC anti down function for plasma cutter machine program M211.
The THC anti down function disables the downwards control of the THC.
This function is useful when the motion path contains movements which crosses already cut paths.
For example the job is to cut an X shape. The cut is done with 2 linear movements, the 2 sides, 2
lines of the X shape. After the first half of the X got cut the second line has to cross the first already
cut one, so the second cut line will have to cross the first at one point. When this happens there will
be no material to cut for the torch for a short time and this can cause the arc voltage to quickly rise
and this would control the Z-axis with the THC downwards to the table.
The M211 code can be inserted into the g-code program right before the movement to this
problematic point, so the THC downwards movement will be disabled for a short period.
The THC upwards control will still be enabled, so if the sheet is bent is still not a problem as the
torch can still move upwards. After the torch left the problematic point an M212 can be inserted into
the g-code to disable the anti down function which will enable the THC downwards control again.
The M211/M212 can be inserted into the g-code program manually also, but in practise it is more
useful to get the CAM software to do the job with adding this requirement to the post processor of
the CAM software. Please note that this is possible only with CAM software which supports this in
it's post processors.
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Disable the THC (Torch Height Control) anti down function for plasma: M212
To disable the THC anti down function for plasma cutter machine program M212.
Enable the safe probe mode: M213

To enable the safe probe mode program M213.
The M213 macro protects the probe sensor with generating a reset condition and hard-stopping the
machine when this mode is active and if the probe is activated while the machine is in motion.
In practice this macro command can be executed for example in the M6 macro if the tool number to
be used is a probing tool. This can prevent a probe damage if the operator accidentally cycle starts
the g-code program or commanding the machine to move and hit the probe.
Disable the safe probe mode: M214

To disable the safe probe mode program M214.
Select spindle pulley: M215 Px

To select a spindle pulley program M215 Px, where the x is a number between 1 and 15.
Constructor macro: M99998

This macro is called on each software startup. Initial actions like user variables loading and startup
settings could be made using and programming this macro.
Destructor macro: M99999

This macro is called on each software shutdown. User variables and DRO values could be saved or
messages could be shown to the user etc. on the software shutdown with programming this macro.
4.1.3 .Other codes
Set Feed Rate: F

Program F... to set the feedrate.
Note that the Feedrate can be override in the 1-300% range using the + and – buttons in the feedrate
override DRO.
Set Spindle Speed: S

To set the speed in revolutions per minute (rpm) of the spindle, program S… . The spindle will
turn at that speed when it has been programmed to start turning. It is OK to program an S word
whether the spindle is turning or not. If the speed override switch is enabled and not set at 100%,
the speed will be different from what is programmed. It is OK to program S0; the spindle will not
turn if that is done. It is an error if:
• the S number is negative.
Note that the Spindle speed can be override in the 1-300% range using the + and – buttons in the
spindle speed override DRO.
Subroutines: O
The subroutines are labeled with the 'O' prefix.
Usually the subroutines are placed at the end of the program, after the M30 or M47 code.
Load tool: T
To load a tool program T... , for example T2.
Programming the T code loads the tool number into the next tool variable in memory and on the
next M6 code programming the actual tool will be changed to the most recently programmed tool
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number.
4.2 .Parametric programming
Instead of constants variables could be also used to define coordinates or feedrate, spindle speed
etc. There are 1000 pieces of variables internal variables currently, named as #0 to #999.
When a number is programmed with the '#' suffix means that this paramater is not a constant, but a
pointer to an internal variable.
The variables can get new value any time programming an equation in code execution or via MDI.
Mathematic equations can be also programmed to give value to variables.
For example to give a value of 1.23 to variable #2, code: '#2 = 1.23'.
Equations should always be in a new line, it is not allowed to place an equation as a parameter of an
axis word or feedrate or spindle speed set code. A single variable can be programmed as a parameter
standalone only.
The following code example shows how to use the variables:
#1 = 5 (Sets the value of variable #1 to 5)

G0 X#1 Y#2 Z1 (Moves the axis with rapid to coordinates X=5, Y=10, Z=1)
#2 = 1.5 (Sets the value of variable #2 to 1.5)
G1 X#1 Y#2 Z#2 (Moves the axis with set feedrate to coordinates X=5, Y=1.5, Z=1.5)
#3 = #1 + #2 (Sets the value of variable #3 to 6.5)
G1 X#3 F#4 (Moves the axis with set feedrate of 100 unit/min to coordinates X=6.5)
To program complex equations it is often required to use brakets. Because in the RS274NGC
programming the round brackets '(' and ')' are used to defined comments for the equations the
rectangular brackets '[' and ']' should be used. Also to define a comma for functions which has more
than one parameters use the ';' character instead of the ',' comma.
For example: #1= [1 + #2]*3
And there are two available built in constant variables, these are the 'pi' and the 'e'.
4.2.1 .Available math operators and operations
In the equations the constants and internal variables can be mixed with mathematical operators and
functions to calculate complex equations inline. The mathematic operators and the supported
functions are listed below:
Operator Name of function Short description

+ summation Summarise numbers.
- deduction Deduct numbers.
* multiplication Multiply numbers.
/ division Divide numbers.
% division for remainder Returns the remainder of a division.
^ power Returns a specified number raised to the specified power.
? Get variable value Shows variables value in a window.
For example ?#1 prints the value of #1 variable.
Note: This operator works in MDI input only.
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abs absolute value Returns the absolute value of a number.
acos arc cosine Returns the angle whose cosine is the specified number.
asin arc sine Returns the angle whose sine is the specified number.
atan arc tangent Returns the angle whose tangent is the specified number.
cosh hiperbolic cosine Returns the hyperbolic cosine of the specified angle.
exp exponentiation Returns e (the base of natural logarithms) raised to the
specified power.
floor floor Returns the largest integer that's less than or equal to the
specified number.
log logarithm Returns the natural (base e) logarithm of a specified number or
the logarithm of a specified number in a specified base.
log10 10 base logarithm Returns the base 10 logarithm of a specified number.
min minimum Returns the smaller of two numbers.
Example: min[1;2] gives an output of 1.
max maximum Returns the larger of two numbers.
Example: max[1;2] gives an output of 2.
pow power Returns a specified number raised to the specified power.
Exampe: pow[2;3] gives an output of 8.
rnd round to 0 to 9 Rounds the input number to 0 to 9 decimal places.
decimals Exampe: rnd[1.234;2] gives an output of 1.23.
sin sine Returns the sine of the specified angle.
sinh hyperbolic sine Returns the hyperbolic sine of the specified angle.
sqrt square root Returns the square root of a specified number.
tan tangent Returns the tangent of the specified angle.
tanh hyperbolic tangent Returns the hyperbolic tangent of the specified angle.
4.3 .Using the software, executing codes, using functions

4.3.1 .Open, edit, close a G-code file
G-codes files are codes generated with a CAM software or simply written by hand using a notepad.
These code files must have a format defined in the RS274 standard and also detailed in this user's
guide. The UCCNC software can open, read and execute these files files.
To open a G-code program press the load file button in the software, this action will start a standard
open-file dialog where the file can be selected and opened. When opening the file the G-code
interpreter checks the file through, interpret the code written inside and places it into the G-code
viewer control. Also the path for the file is calculated and showed in the Toolpath viewer control.
To rewind the file to the beginning (first line) press the rewind file button. To close the file press the
close file button. Closing the file will unload the file from the G-code viewer and the Toolpath
viewer and also the file will and the associated variables and structure will be unloaded from the
computer's memory.
The file can be also edited to do that press the edit file button, this will open the file in notepad.exe
software which is built into the Windows Operating System. When the file editing is finished
simply close the file and the UCCNC software will automaticaly reload the file.
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4.3.2 .Executing code from program
To execute, stop a program use the buttons on the right side of the screen. These buttons are visible
on all tab pages. To start a Cycle press the "Cycle Start" button. The virtual LED on the bottom
right corner of the button will light while the cycle is running. When the program execution ends
the virtual LED goes off.
To run a single line of code only press the "Single Cycle" button, this will execute a single line of
code only. The virtual LED in the bottom right corner of the button will light while the cycle is
running and the LED goes off as soon as the execution of the line finishes.
When a Cycle or a Single line is being executed press the "Stop Cycle" button any time to stop the
Cycle. When pressing the "Stop Cycle" button the Cycle is stopped which stops the motion with
decceleration in case any axis was moving. The decceleration of the axis happens with using the
acceleration values set for the axis.
To stop the Cycle and movement immediately without a decceleration press the "Reset button". This
will stop the Cycle and the motion without decceleration, immediately. The "Reset button" is a
toggle type of button, it blinks if pressed in and this blinking means that the machine is in reset and
it cannot be moved, no motion can be executed. Pressing the "Reset button" again brings the
machine out of reset.
The software can be put to Offline mode with pressing the "Offline" button. In offline mode all
outputs of the UC100 device goes to the default output state and no output signals are generated.
The software in the offline state operates as if it was just simulating the motions and the functions.
The offline mode can be used for example to run a G-code software without the machine moving
and check what the machine will do prior the real machining cycle.
4.3.3 .Executing code via the MDI
The MDI (Manual Data Input) control provides the ability to execute a G-code command without
loading a G-code program. The MDI is an input field where a text can be entered and after typing
the text command pressing the enter will make the software interpret the entered text and execute
the command. The textfield of the MDI control will blink green color if the input text is
understandable and executable by the interpreter and it will blink red color if the text is not
interpretable. After a red clor blinking no action will be taken by the software. After a green blink
the software will execute the command which was entered.
The right side of the MDI control shows the active motion mode of the MDI. The active motion
modes can be G0, G1, G2 or G3. When any of these modes are active inputting only axis woords
with coordinates is valid. For example if the G0 is the active motion mode then a 'X1 Y2' text typed
into the MDI will move the axis with a rapid linear movement from the current coordinates to the
X=1 and Y=2 coordinates.
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The following printscreen picture shows text input in the MDI control:
4.3.4 .Zeroing and referencing one or more axis
All of the 6-axis can be zeroed and referenced (homed) using the axis zero and home buttons.
Axis can be homed and referenced individually or all pressing a single button. When all axis are
referenced, the homing is done in sequence.
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The following picture shows the ref and home buttons:
4.3.5 .Using offsets
Offsets are used to define different origin coordinate system inside and derived from the machine
coordinate system. The machine coordinate system origin point is defined by the reference (home)
points. The offset coordinate system are offset from the machine coordinates by the user defined
lengths. Different work offset values can be defined for each axis and for the Z-axis also a Tool
length offset can be defined which offset is useful when compensating the drilling or milling tool's
length in the machine's chuck. There are in total 6 pieces of offset coordinate systems, these are
named G54 to G59. The different coordinate systems can be selected using the on screen offset
buttons or programming the G54 to G59 codes in program or via the MDI.
When selecting a coordinate system the screen set offsets are applied to the system and the
coordinate DROs' values are compensated with the offset values.
The Offset coordinates can be edited on the Offsets tab page.
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The following picture shows the Offsets tab page:
4.3.6 .Overriding the feedrate and the spindle speed
The programmed feedrate and spindle speed can be overridden any time, even when a code is
executed and when a motion is in progress. Both properties can be overridden in the range of 0-
300% of the programmed value. The override feature is useful for example if the programmed
feedrate is too slow or too fast and need to be adjusted, but the operator does not want to bother
with regenerating the code with new feedrate values. The same is true for the spindle speed
override, if the spindle speed is controlled from software then the programmed speed can be
overriden on the fly which makes the system more comfortable for the operator and more
productive saving lots of additional work and time.
To override the feedrate use the + and – buttons next to the feedrate and the spindle speed DROs.
Pressing the plus button increases the value with +10% if the value is equal or above 10% and it
increases +1% if the actual value is below 10%. Pressing the minus button decreases the value with
10% in case the current value is above 10% and decreases the value with 1% if the actual value is
equal or below 10%.
If the feedrate override is set to 0% then the motion stops and stalls till the DRO value is changed to
any higher value.
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The following picture shows the Feedrate override and the Spindle speed override interfaces:
4.3.7 .Using the toolpath and G-code viewers.
The toolpath viewer is a 3D openGL control which shows the actually loaded toolpath. The toolpath
drawing in the toolpath window can be rotated, panned, zoomed and moved using the mouse
pointer and mouse buttons.
There are also buttons next to the window to apply different viewpoints to the window.
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4.3.8 .Jog control, jogging the machine
The jog controller is used to move the machine manually with pressing screen buttons. Also the
manual pulse generator and the associated buttons can be found on this screen.
The jog panel is located on the very left side of the screen and on startup this screen is hidden, only
it's right side border is shown. Touching the panel's border with the mouse pointer makes the jog
panel to pop and appear on the screen. The panel is not available when a motion is in progress,
when the machine controller is busy executing commands.
There are + and – jog buttons on the jog panel, pressing these buttons all axis can be jogged to the
negative and to the positive directions. The Jog feed sets the feedrate of the jog movements, the
value is defined in percentage of the set maximum (G0) feedrate of the axis.
The mode of the jogging can be selected with buttons on the screen, there are continous and
stepping modes and also there is an MPG mode.
In continous jogging mode the machine axis jogs while the jog button of the axis is being pressed
and the jog finishes when the button gets released.
In step jogging mode the axis moves the selected distance for every jog button presses. Currently
there are 0.01, 0.1 and 1 unit lengths are selectable.
In MPG mode the external MPG device is selected for the jogging and selecting this mode disables
the screen buttons jogging. The MPG mode has 3 running modes, the MPG cont., the MPG single
and the MPG multi modes.
In the MPG cont. mode when rotating the MPG wheel the axis continously moving with the wheel
rotation.
In MPG single mode when rotating the MPG wheel the axis is moving the jog step distance on the
first encoder tick, the distance is selected with the distance buttons 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 or 1.00 Units.
The next movement happens after the motion is finished and on the next encoder tick.
In MPG multi mode when rotating the MPG wheel the axis is moving the jog step distance on all
encoder ticks, the distance is selected with the distance buttons 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 or 1.00 Units.
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The axis to move with the MPG can be selected with the X,Y,Z,A,B,C buttons.
Also there are button codes for the MPG axis selection, so external buttons or switches on the MPG
controller can be connected to the UC100 or UC300 inputs and they can be configured to these axis
selection button codes, these settings can be made on the input trigger configuration page.
The associated buttons codes are documented in the buttons_by_number.htm document in the
documentation section of the UCCNC installation.
The following screen shows the jog panel on the left side of the UCCNC software window:
5 .Macro-ing capability.
The macro codes are text files located in the Profiles\Macro_Name of profile\ folder, where the
"Name of profile" is the profile name the machine is running. A macro can contain simple or even
complex code to execute even a bunch of movements and I/O manipulations.
A macro can be called from program execution or via the MDI control with simply programming
Mx, where the "x" means an integer number. When calling a macro the corresponding macro file is
read, compiled and executed by the interpreter. If the macro file contains a syntax error then the
macro is ignored and skipped and an error message is shown in the status list control.
There are default macros in the RS274 programming language, but also custom macros can be
written by the user with creating the required macro file in the profile's macro folder and writing the
script into the file using notepad.exe for example.
Macros can be edited using a text editor like notepad. The macro files can be edited on the fly,
because the macro scripts are read and compiled on runtime, when the macro is called.
For informations about writing custom macro codes please read the
Macroing_capability_detailed.pdf document in the UCCNC/Documentation folder.
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6 .Plugin control modules
Plugin controls are software modules which builds into and works within and together with the
UCCNC software.
The following picture shows the plugin configuration window which window can be opened with
pressing the Configure plugins button on the Configuration/General settings tab page.
6.1 .Installing plugins
To install new plugins simply copy the plugin .dll file to the /Plugins subfolder in the UCCNC
installation folder. The software will automatically detect the new plugin on the next software
startup. By default the a newly installed plugins are disabled, in order to make them run they have
to be enabled on the Plugin configuration window.
6.2 .Enabling, configuring and using plugins
Every plugin can be configured using the Plugin configuration window. The plugin properties are
shown in this windows. Every row on this windows lists one plugin and the first text section of this
row shows the name, the version number of the plugin and the name of the author. The plugins can
be opened up with pressing the Show button in the row of the plugin. Pressing the Show button
calls the Showup event of the plugin if the actual plugin has this interface implemented. In most
cases this event opens and shows a Window which represents the plugin. If the plugin does not
implement the Showup event then the UCCNC software will show an error message with a message
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about this. Some plugins which just running in the background may not need a visual interface and
may not implement the Showup event.
To configure a plugin press the Configure button in the row of the plugin, this will call the
Configuration event of the plugin. Usually this event will popup a new window where the user can
set parameters about the plugin. If the plugin does not implement the Configuration interface then
the software will show an error message about this. Some plugins may not need a configuration UI,
because there is nothing to configure in them or the plugin writter decided to place all configuration
settings on the main window of the plugin which can be called with the Show button as described
previously.
The plugins can be individually enabled with checking the enable checkbox of the plugin. If a
plugin is enabled then it will start running when the UCCNC software starts up and when it has
finished all of the initialisation process. If the plugin is disabled then the UCCNC will not call the
create the plugin object and also no other messages will be sent to the disabled plugin, in other
words the plugin will be not running.
If checking the call startup checkbox of the plugin then the plugin's startup event will be called on
the UCCNC startup. It must be noted that the plugin mist be enabled for the startup function to be
called. The startup event mostly contains code which opens the plugin Window, but how it is
implemented depends on the plugin's developer. Plugins which has no visual appearance just
running in the background may not show any windows on the software startup, but may still do
things in the background when this event is called. How and for what the plugins can be used for
depends on the purpose of the plugin. Plugins can implement different and even complex features
which features may be useful for some users with different machine setups and different needs for
different functions.
An example plugin is the laser engraving plugin. With the use of this plugin scan type laser
engraving can be done with the UCCNC software. The plugin can read picture images and converts
it to grayscale or black and white image and then to vectors and executable code for the UCCNC.
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The following picture shows the laser engraving plugin:
6.3 .Writing/creating custom plugins

The plugin interface allows programmers to create their own plugin modules for the UCCNC
software. A plugin modul is a .dll (dynamic link library) file which is placed into the UCCNC
installation directory and which software module can then communicate and interact with the
UCCNC software. To write a plugin the plugininterface.dll file (located in the UCCNC directory)
should be included into the plugin project. The plugin interface is a .NET 4.0 based code and so the
plugin has to be also .NET 4.0 based. We advice to use Visual Studio to create new plugins.
In the plugins folder there is an Example folder which contains the source code for an example
plugin. This source code could be studied and may be modified for a new plugin creation. Since
Visual Studio has intellisense the available function calls to the UCCNC can be easily explored and
accessed via the plugin interface dynamic library.
7 .Screen editor
7.1 .Description of the screen editor
The UCCNC software has a built in screen editor module. To enter the screen editing mode press
the Edit screen button on the Configuration/General settings tab page.
Entering the screen editor mode any of the screen elements like the buttons, textfields, labels, tab
pages, backgrounds, LEDs, etc. can be resized, replaced, removed or any type and number of new
elements can be added to the screen.
In screen editor mode all functions of the UCCNC are disabled/inactive, pressing buttons will take
no effect. To use the software functions again the screen editor mode must be left, this can be done
with closing the screen editor window.
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The following printscreen shows the screen editor window with the screen editor mode active:
7.2 .Editing screen elements
When in screen editor mode pressing any screen items will select the item. The selection will be
indicated with a blinking red border around the selected item.
After selecting an item the property grid control on the Selection tab page of the screen editor
window will list the properties of the item. The properties can be changed with overwriting the
values in the property grid control. To validate the new values press the Apply settings on the
bottom of the tab page. After validating the new values the changes will immediately take effect and
the item will change position or size etc. depending on which properties where changed.
The screen items can be also dragged and resized using the mouse. After the item was clicked and
selected clicking the item again with holding the mouse button down and moving the mouse will
drag the item. When releasing the mouse button the item's new position will be registered and
shown in the property grid. To resize an item move the mouse on the blinking selection border and
when the cursor changes to the resize arrows then press the mouse button, hold it down and move
the cursor to pull and resize the item.
To undo the last change press the Undo button. The Undo button will only reverse the last change
and only while the item is still selected.
To change between tab screens while in screen editor mode press and hold the Shift keyboard key
and click the tab page's header with the mouse.
To edit the fills (hider panels) press the control keyboard key. Pressing the Control key will toggle
the fill items' visibility when working in screen editing mode. When the fills are visible then they
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can be selected and edited just like the other screen items.
The following printscreen shows an example where the Feedhold button' is selected and it's position
and dimensions were changed.
To add new items or to delete an existing one select the item with clicking on it and go to the
Create/delete tab page. There are individual buttons to create different type of new objects. Pressing
these buttons will create a blank new screen item of the selected type.
To delete an item after selecting it click the Delete selection button.
To copy an existing item select the item and press the Copy selection button.
The new item will be created and shown on the middle of the screen. The new item will be blank,
the properties of the new item can be filled afterwards.
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The following printscreen shows the Create/delete tab page of the screen editor window:
7.3 .Editing the canvas properties

The resolution of the main screen canvas can be set on the screen editor window on the Screen tab
page. The screen resolution is defined in pixels. Changing the screen resolution can be useful when
different monitors, aspect ratios are used. Different screensets can be designed to fit specific
monitor resolutions.
The coordinates of the screenset items will be relative to the set resolution. For example if the
screen vertical resolution is 1000 pixels and a button's vertical position is at 500 pixels then the
button' left side will be shown on the middle of the vertical resolution.
If the screen vertical resolution is changed to 2000 pixels and if the button will still have the 500
vertical coordinate then it will appear at the first quarter of the screen.
The vertical and horizontal resolutions of the jog screen can be set separately on the same tab page
and in addition the tab size of the jog screen can be also defined. The tab size means the number of
pixels which will remain visible from the jog screen at the left side of the window when the jog
screen is in it's hidden state.
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The following printscreen shows a case when the main screen's horizontal and vertical resolutions
ware both changed:
7.4 .Editing picture images
Most of the screen items like the buttons, LEDs, tab screens, backgrounds rendering images. These
images are defined in the screenset file. To edit the to be loaded images select the Images tab page
on the screen editor window. This page lists all the to be loaded images names. All images in the list
has 2 file references, because all buttons and LEDs etc. have an up and a down or on/off states.
Separate images are used in these states of the screen items. To change the image reference click on
the filename in the list, this will open an open file dialog and browse and select the new image file
to be used. At the bottom of the page there are buttons to add new images or to delete an existing
images from the list. Set the number of the new image in the numeric up/down counter control next
to these buttons. Adding a new image will make a new entry in the image list.
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The following printscreen shows the images list on the screenset editor window:
7.5 .Saving the screen
To save all changes to the screenset select the File tab page on the screen editor window and press
the Save screenset button. To save the screenset to a different screenset file select the file with
pressing the Set file button on the same page.
The screens for different motion controller devices are defined in sections inside the screenset file.
For example if a UC100 motion controller or the UC100 demo mode is loaded then saving the
screenset will save the screenset datas to the UC100 section in the screenset file. The section start
and section ends are marked in the file with the //region devicetype and //endregion devicetype,
where the devicetype means the device name. When starting up the UCCNC the software will read
the screenset datas for the used motion controller device with reading the datas only from between
the region definition markers. In case a device has no screenset region defined in a screenset file
then the software will remove all the other regions and will execute the remaining datas which are
outside all of the region declarations, in most cases this will mean that the screen will be empty
white.
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The following printscreen shows the File tab page of the screen editor:
8 .Macro loops
8.1 .Description of macro loops
Macro loops are program loops or in other words software threads. These threads can run one
macro in an infinite loop. The loop runs in the background, asynchronously and independently from
the other operations of the software. A macro loop can do it's own task while the software is
operating and doing the user commanded operations. For example the macro in a loop can
continuously monitor the value of a DRO and can trigger outputs of the motion controller based on
the value read from the DRO or it can write new values to another DRO. One thing we recommend
not to do is executing G-code and other motion commands from a macro loop, because they could
conflict with other motions commanded by the user via the UCCNC GUI interface.
There are currently 48 available macro loop slots which means that up to 48 macros can be placed
and run in separated threads.
The macro loops can be configured on the General settings page in the UCCNC pressing the Config
macroloops button.
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The following picture shows the macro loop configuration window:
8.2 .Writing macros for loops
The programming language, syntax and available functions are the same as for the standard
macros, the only difference is the running in a separated thread, in a loop.
The code which surrounds the macro and written into the macroloop interface is the
following:
while(loop)
{
//The macro code is executed here...
Thread.Sleep(50);
}
The 'loop' variable is internally defined and it's value is set based on the running state of the
macro. If the loop is commanded to run then the loop variable is true, so the macro code is
looped. When the loop is Stopped then the loop variable value becomes false, so the loop
execution stops as soon as the macro code finishes.
There is an 50mseconds wait time programmed in the loop, so the highest frequency a
macro could run is around 1/50msec = 20Hz. Of course the loop time can be longer than
this, because the macro code itself takes some time to execute.
Because the macro runs in a loop the whole macro code is repeated from the beginning, this
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arrises a problem that variables will always gets their original value on the next cycle repeat.
For example:
int i= 0;
i++;
The above code defines a local variable and then it increments the variable with one.
The issue is that the loop repeats, so the variable will then again gets the value 0.
To overcome this problem one or more internal loops can be programmed inside the macro,
like I nthe following code:
int i=0;
while(loop)
{
i++;
//Do the rest of the work here...
Thread.Sleep(50);//It is important to do some wait, otherwise the CPU will be overloaded!
}
Please note that the loop variable was checked in the internal while loop and as previously
described this variable will change value to false as soon as the macro is commanded to
stop, so then the macro can safely terminate.
Important to note, that when the macro language is selected to be VisualBasic instead of C#
in any macros with the #VB directive written in the first line of the macro then the loop
variable is internally declared as mloop, because the loop keyword is a directive in
VisualBasic and so it can't be used as a variable name.
8.3 .Running, stopping, killing macro loops
To place a macro into a loop open up the macro loop configuration Windows and select the
number of the macro to run and then press the Run button. The green virtual LED in the
same line will indicate if the macro starts running and the LED will be green until the loop
stops running. To stop the loop press the Stop button, this will make the loop variable to
become false and the thread can terminate.
To run the loop automatically every time the UCCNC is loaded and starts up select the
Autorun option.
There can be cases when a macro can't be stopped, a simple macro code example for this is
below:
while(true)
{
Thread.Sleep(50);
}
The above code will not terminate on stop command, because the while loop is infinate and
the execution will not jump out of the loop even in the macro stop button was pressed.
In this case the green Running LED will remain on indicating that the loop is still running.
The Kill button can be used to abort/kill the macro execution. However this will likely not
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cause serious problems, but if a macro loop can't be stopped we recommend to investigate
and correct the issue in the macro code.
To save the settings press the save button on the bottom of the window.
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UCCNC software installation and user's guide

Version of this software manual: 1.0046

Supported motion controllers:

1 .Installation of the software

1.2 .Safety notes

1.3 .Hardware requirements

The minimal hardware requirements for the computer are as follows:

1.4 .Software prerequirements

Press the next button to proceed the installation.

1.7.1 .Command line arguments

And example for using the command line arguments:

C:/UCCNC/UCCNC.exe /p myprofile /s 60CC4D

2 .The graphical user interface

The graphical user interface (GUI) is based on OpenGL technology.

2.1 .The default screenset

The TAB pages on the default screen set are:

– Axis setup (sub tab page)

– I/O setup (sub tab page)

– General settings (sub tab page)

– Appearance (sub tab page)

– Importers (sub tab page)

This page contains data import function(s).

– Profiles (sub tab page)

– Diagnostics tab page

– Help tap page

2.2.5 .Toolpath viewer

2.2.6 .Jog control

2.3 .Virtual mouse control

The machine axis settings can be configured in the axis setup.

3.2 .Spindle setup

Settings for a PWM control type spindle:

Settings for a step/direction control type spindle:

The following page shows the Spindle pulleys settings window:

The PID controller makes the spindle control closed loop.

The PID parameters are the followings:

3.3 .Auxiliary encoders

3.4 .I/O setup

To disable any of these functions set the channel to 0 value.

3.5 .IO trigger

3.5.1 . Input trigger

This tab page contains settings for the machine behaviour.

The settings available on this page are the following:

Background color: This is the color of the toolpath viewer's background.

Boundaries color: This is the color of the toolpath boundary box.

3.9.1 .Operator (un)lock

The times column shows the following informations:

The following printscreen shows the Statistics window:

3.13 .Porting the settings to a different computer

4 .The code interpreter

4.1 .Supported codes

Name and number of modal group Member G words

The supported G-codes are the following:

Rapid Linear Motion : G0

Linear Motion at Feed Rate : G1

– The arc lies on the XY plane if the G17 plane is in selection.

Set tool lengt in tool table: G10 L1

Set Coordinate System Data : G10 L2

Plane selection : G17, G18, G19