[AMCjeepCJ]

As far a sub programs go, this is how I normally do it. Seems to be the fastest way once you get reasonably proficient on the control. (Without using incremental that is...) I'd say it would take maybe 2-3 minutes to program. BTW, I wouldn't use incremental moves, I'd use 3 or 4 calls and then a floating zero to start my sub... (Hope that helps)

Here's an example:

I zero'd out on the lower right part of the part to side mill. This part is 4 inches wide in Y and we're taking .375" off on the right side in .125 increment passes with a .01 finish pass at a different RPM and feedrate.

Program 1 is simply...

1. Toolchange

2. POS X .25

3. Call Prgm 2

4. POS X .125

5. Call Prgm 2

6. POS X .01

7. Call Prgm 3

Program 2 is simply...

1. Floating Zero X=O

2. Start mill cycle (X=0 Y=4.25 and fill in all the other crap and turn cutter comp on to do one pass) (PS: The Y is at 4.25 to climb cut, if you have lots of backlash, start at Y=0 and move TO Y=4.25)

3. Line move Y=0

4. Mill end (auto)

(Turn all the last page to NO NO NO NO)

Program 3 is simply (copy Prgm 2 to Prgm 3 and change your feedrates and add a misc. command if you want to modify the RPM)

If you write that program once, you can use it forever by just reassigning the X and Y values for each job...

Stay away from incremental if you're not used to it. It's easy to do a Call loop too many times in the main program but if you do use inc., it might be a little shorter of a program but not very much much unless you had to do ten or more passes~

I try not to use incremental very often although it is handy once you get it down pat. However, this method is waaay simpler for the average Joe who isn't programming everyday...

Good luck...