The Honest Truth about Conversational Programming

“Is conversational programming a necessary

Currently the Marketing Manager at
component of today’s Manufacturing environment?” Fagor Automation Corporation, Todd
Drane has been working directly on a
Todd Drane, Marketing Manager at Fagor Automation, day to day basis with many of the
Nation’s top CNC Integrator firms.
commented, “This is a fairly common question from many Todd has served roles that include
manufacturers. Most do not understand what Conversational Technical Services and Regional Sales
Manager during his 25 year career and
programming is. Some associate Conversational Program- has been directly involved with hundreds of Machine Tool
ming with simple processes ideal for the tool room only. Retrofits with a special emphasis on CNC controls and the
But, I think the first thing we have to do is define what associated Servo/Motor Systems and Encoder Feedback
products. Ensuring every application is equipped with the exact
Conversational Programming is before we jump to Technology necessary to achieve the goals of the Machinery
that conclusion.” has been the primary goal on every project. Todd is a graduate
of the American College of Technology, enjoys a good cup of
coffee, and identifies himself as a car guy.
Conversational programming is an evolution of part-
programming. It takes what is known and simplifies it
for all users. The requirement to study the art of G-code
programming is replaced by the need to be able to teach
variables off a blueprint into a single screen on your CNC.
The important thing is that Users do not need to be well
versed in any particular brand of G-code programming.
Therefore, in just an hour or two any operator can be
taught how to program well in Conversational Programming.
(Conversational ICON keys. Press the
Todd continued, “With our 8055 MC and TC controls for Operation and your Graphic screen appears)
Milling and Turning respectively, directly from power-up,
with no menu’s to navigate, you can choose your desired
Operation utilizing an ICON key. The ICON key simply has
a picture of the operation on the keyboard. Choose the
operation and the Conversational Graphic & Variable
screen immediately pops-up.”
The Conversational cycle Graphic and Variable screen to
the right appears when the Pocket ICON key is pressed
(F7) from the key picture above. The Graphic has all
information the Operators blue print would contain. The
pocket width, height, depth, etc. Therefore, the Operator
simply keys through each variable that the CNC requires
and fills in the blank right off the blueprint. In this case of
a Rectangular pocket, it will also ask if the corners are
chamfered, radiused or have a square corner and the
radius of the corner, if necessary, as well as the Z axes
penetration feedrate and the XY machining feedrate as
well as the depth of each pass.

In addition, both Roughing and Finishing pass variables are programmed from this same screen including
Feeds, Speeds, machining and spindle direction and Tool information. In other words, the entire cycle is
programmed from start to completion from this single screen, no other menu hopping is necessary. In after
just an hour of training, Operators can program complete cycles from start to finish in just 2-3 minutes.

Upon completion of the cycle, the Operator has a choice,

they can execute the cycle as a one-shot operation or they
can save to their Conversational program and begin pro-
gramming the next operation. To execute as a one-shot
cycle, they simply press the ESC key, which activates the
cycle start key and then press the cycle start key. Many
customers can start from a blank canvas, create the pro-
gram and have the tool cutting the part in literally 3 minutes.
Try that with a G-code program and cut operation.

If the customer choses to save the cycle to a program, they simply press the “P.Prog” key, which opens the Part
Program directory. The Operator simply presses Enter to save the cycle into the chosen program. Programs are
saved in a sequence and can be easily and quickly Recalled and Edited or Deleted. The left side of the screen
shows the existing programs and the right side shows the cycle operations within the highlighted program.
You can scroll up and down to visually see what is contained in each program as you please. The cycle names
are stored in the cycle, for this reason reading and understanding each program sequence is quick and easy.
Simply highlight any operation and press the “Recall” key to edit.
Preparatory functions such as setting your Tool Offsets are
accomplished in just seconds utilizing a conversational
Tool Calibration screen that walks the Operator through
the process. Upon completion, the offset is automatically
written to the Operator defined offset number and can be
called in all appropriate Conversational cycle screens.
Tools can even belong to a family and given a nominal and
actual life where when they reach the end of their life, the
CNC has the ability to automatically change the tool to
another tool within the same Family of tools.

In addition, to create Profiles, the Fagor CNC has a built-in

mini CAD/CAM system called the Profile Editor. The Profile
Editor can be accessed within the Profiling cycle with
a single key. It allows a multitude of profiles to be built
graphically in only a matter of seconds. The created pro-
files can be inserted directly to the program being created
or saved as a Subroutine and called from any program.
Customers have reported very generous time savings with
this feature considering trips to and from the CAD/CAM
department are virtually eliminated.

For those that prefer certain G-code functions, they have

the ability to mix and match G-code within Conversation-
al programming. The G-code commanded blocks simply
become their own operation within the sequence of the
Conversational Program.

Conversational Programming is not limited to simple

pocket and drilling type operations. In addition, many
advanced operations such as 3D Pockets and Profiling,
Scaling and Pattern rotation can be quickly created with
Conversational programming. Even Digitizing becomes a
fast and easy operation to program.
When Conversational Programming was first introduced,
many were resistant and dismissed the technique as a So what are the benefits of conversational
novelty. Most of us were trained on G-code programming programming?
techniques and for the first year or two there was resis-
tance to learning the technique. However, through time, it n The ability to broaden the range of
became a necessity to learn the Programming technique personnel you have that can program
and it grew very quickly. Our 8055 MC and TC controls and operate the CNC Machine Tool.
offer both G-code programming capability and Conversa-
tional programming on the same CNC, the Operator has n Set-up time and Programming time is
the choice of which Operating system they utilize each significantly reduced and simplified and
time they turn on the CNC (You may toggle between the 2 program editing is made easy consid-
systems whenever you desire). After a while, you may auto- ering all you have to do is recall the cycle
matically access the Conversational programming method and change the variable to modify or fix
versus the G-code simply because of the ease found with your part-program.
it. You cannot deny, it is easier, faster and dramatically less
n Additionally, the program itself is easier
keys have to be pushed to accomplish the same program.
Furthermore, Conversational programming is easier on your to read considering it is sequenced based
memory, which allows programming with more confidence. upon Cycle events.
Conversational programming doesn’t require you have past n Any user can easily go back and edit a
programming knowledge or capabilities, instead it asks you
program, even if another user not
the questions that have to be asked for every operation.
available, had created it.
It is impossible to neglect to program a portion of a cycle,
it will automatically prompt you through it. At the end of the n There is no G-code to decipher, simply
day, you can turn your entire workforce into Programmers recall the cycle and adjust the variable.
within just a few short hours with Conversational Program-
ming. Ask yourself if you can do the same with a G-code n Scrap material is dramatically reduced
programming system. considering all pertinent questions
are asked.
The conclusion is fairly simple, if Shop Floor Programming
n Basic Machining skills are sufficient to
is a part of your Manufacturing process on any level, you
run a CNC Machine.
want a friendly Conversational programming system. You
will thank us later. In three words: Simple Yet Powerful.

For more information:

Visit us at www.fagorautomation.com