MDI Codes Anyone know about them?

[manyhobies]

Hello

I have a friend that has a CNC mill that uses MDI codes (at least that is what he called them). Does anyone know where I can find and information on were I can learn MDI codes?

Thanks

Dan

[Al_The_Man]

Not sure what he means as MDI usually refers to a input method, not the codes.
MDI=Manual Data Input.
IOW a standard command is entered on a one shot basis, as it were, rather than storing it as a program for future use.
Al.

[Geof]

Probably what he means is writing a G code program using Manual Data Input.

This is a method of writing short programs on the machine by simply typing in G code commands. The program is not stored in memory and is lost when the power is turned off.

The program can be as short as one line. For instance if you just want to move the X axis a distance of 3.00 inches in the negative direction the command typed in in MDI is G91 G00 X-3.00. G91 is incremental motion, G00 is rapid and X-3.00 is 3.00 negative travel.

All the standard G codes commands can be used.

[manyhobies]

Al and Geof

Thank you for your replys! They both were very helpful! Is there a listing of G codes someplace I could print out? At one time I know some of them. That was a few (10+) years ago.

Thanks

Dan

[Geof]

Here are a couple of links stolen from another post.

http://www.linuxcnc.org/handbook/gcode/g-code.html


http://technology.calumet.purdue.edu/met/mfet/275/

[Al_The_Man]

Also a note on the program codes, G codes although many are common some are often specific to a particular style of machine, i.e. EDM, Mill, Lathe etc, and usually come part of the manufactures system.
M codes on the other hand, although generally conform to industry standard are at the whim of the machine tool builder, he writes the M,S & T code routines.
So it is often important to get the machine codes that apply to a particular make and also style of machine.
Al.