If any section of the main interface could be called the control center, this portion would; simply because from here you can control the operation of the file.

To learn how to use these features beyond the description of the interface, see our Tutorials on the subject.

Button and Control Descriptions

Progress Bar

The Progress Bar displays the percentage of your program’s progress as well as progress during the preprocessing of your file (shown at left). When the progress reaches 100%, the bar turns from red to green.

Start

Press the Start button when you are prepared to run your file. If you pause the file, notice that the button becomes the Reset button.

Pause

Press the Pause button to temporarily stop a program run or preprocessing.

Stop

Press the Stop button to end a program run or preprocessing. If you pause a file-run, notice that the Stop button becomes the Reset button.

Preprocess

Preprocess calculates all the programs motions prior to executing the file. This means calculating all the accelerations and decelerations based on the speeds and feeds. You will notice that the Preprocess function must be performed on any file to be run for the first time. If you try to run a new file without preprocessing, the Start button will appear ‘greyed-out’ and thus, inactive. See preprocessing setup and config for more details on this feature.

Edit

The Edit button brings up the Edit interface. This function primarily allows you to view and edit the file's text. It also gives you the ability to write and execute SAC and G-code, save position updates (in any format), and view I/O status to aid in code writing.

Skip

The SKIP button is designed to scan through a G-code file to find the closest location to where the program was interrupted. For instance, if a one-hour file has been cutting for 45 minutes and the cutter broke while nobody was there, then how could the operator pickup from where the cutter broke? The Skip button allows the operator to stop the machine (giving you the opportunity to replace the cutter) and recalibrate the cutter length. Then, the operator jogs back to the approximate position from were the cutter broke and presses the SKIP button. The G-code file (or program) is scanned, comparing the position you jogged the machine to. Once it matches the position of the machine relative to the command sequence of the file, it will display that location, allowing the operator to resume from that rediscovered position.

Preview

The Preview button brings up the Preview window (as shown below). This function allows you to view the toolpath prior to the execution of your file. The buttons on the right side of the Preview window allow you to manipulate the display. You have various Zoom options, you can look at the toolpath from the Top, Front, Side and in an Isometric view, you can redraw the toolpath and you can toggle between the Pan and Rotate functions. If you are using a mouse, the left mouse button will allow you to pan, the right to rotate. If you are using a touchscreen, the function on the left of the slash (/) is activated. Toggle between the two by simply pressing the button.

Speed Scroll Bars

The Speed Scroll Bars set the speed, in units per minute, for their respective controls.

File Selection

The File button brings up the File window, which allows you to browse, choose and preview the file you want to run.

Setup

This brings up the Setup window, which allows you to control just about every aspect of the software. For the purposes of running a file, spindle speeds, feedrates, accelerations and rapid rates can be specified. You have the option of using the CAD/CAM programmed speeds from your file or overriding the set federates. This also allows you to create offsets, which refer to the work-piece or work-area offsets.