Need Help!- Fanuc 6M model B - parameter details?

[polarbeer]

Hi,

I have started to learn Fanuc macro programming. I'm currently using an old Kitamura CNC-mill with Fanuc 6M model B -control.

I've read that for Fanuc 21iMB-control parameters are grouped like this:

#0 <Empty>
#1-#33 Local Parameters
#100-#149 (#199) Common Parameters
#500-#531 (#999) Common Parameters
#1000- System Parameters

1. Are these groups valid for 6M model B -control also?

2. If I have understood right, Local and Common parameters can be used by a programmer to make his own macro program. System parameters are used to read and store data like tool location, compensation etc. System parameter numbers can differ slightly between Fanuc control versions (6M, 10M, 0M, 18M, 21M etc.). Does any one of you have an exact list of Fanuc 6M model B (system) parameters?

3. I have so far found PARAM-softkey, which takes me to a parameter list. The first list starts at #0000 and ends at #3127. After I have pressed the PARAM-softkey, I can press PC-softkey, which takes me to another list of PC PARAMETER. The second list starts at #0000 and ends at #0063. If I press DGNOS-softkey, screen shows the third list of DIAGNOSE parameters. It starts at #0000 and eds at #0890.

Does any of these three lists of parameters actually contain System Parameters? If not, can I view the current values of System Parameters by any means?

Thanks for your help!

-pb

[angelw]

Originally Posted by polarbeer Hi, I have started to learn Fanuc macro programming. I'm currently using an old Kitamura CNC-mill with Fanuc 6M model B -control. I've read that for Fanuc 21iMB-control parameters are grouped like this: #0 <Empty> #1-#33 Local Parameters #100-#149 (#199) Common Parameters #500-#531 (#999) Common Parameters #1000- System Parameters -pb

pb,
The above are not parameters, but are actually Variables used in a programming language called User Macro B. There are two versions of User Macro supplied by Fanuc, A and B. B is the friendlier, and most desirable of the two, and as stated, the above Variables relate to the "B" version.

For the variables to be relevant, the control must be equipped with the User Macro executable. Its an option, but most 6 Series, model "B" controls on upmarket machines were supplied with this option. So the first thing you need to determine is if your control has the User Macro Option. The simplest way to do this is to look for a Macro Variable Page. From memory, I believe this is accessible via the Offset button, and then Page buttons. Check this out and post back to the Forum if you require further help with using the User Macro option on your machine.

Regards,

Bill

[fordav11]

damn! there was a page on 6M for macro variables? I ran a Fanuc Tape Center with 6M back in 1987/88/89 and used macro extensively while making injection dies.
I had to keep track of the variables on a piece of paper not knowing there was a display screen for them!

[polarbeer]

Originally Posted by angelw pb, The above are not parameters, but are actually Variables used in a programming language called User Macro B. There are two versions of User Macro supplied by Fanuc, A and B. B is the friendlier, and most desirable of the two, and as stated, the above Variables relate to the "B" version. For the variables to be relevant, the control must be equipped with the User Macro executable. Its an option, but most 6 Series, model "B" controls on upmarket machines were supplied with this option. So the first thing you need to determine is if your control has the User Macro Option. The simplest way to do this is to look for a Macro Variable Page. From memory, I believe this is accessible via the Offset button, and then Page buttons. Check this out and post back to the Forum if you require further help with using the User Macro option on your machine. Regards, Bill

Thanks Bill for your input. I was able to find user variables and how to view them (by reading 6M model B operator's manual ). From the main softkey panel just push SET-button (two or three times if once isn't enough). This shows user variables.

Variable numbers shown were:
#1-#33
#100-#149
#500-#511
#512-#559

I was also able to input a super short macro program, which I was able to call using G65-command.

One questions comes into mind at this stage. Can user easily check/view values of system variables (#1000-) or are they always hidden?


-pb

[angelw]

Originally Posted by polarbeer Thanks Bill for your input. I was able to find user variables and how to view them (by reading 6M model B operator's manual ). From the main softkey panel just push SET-button (two or three times if once isn't enough). This shows user variables. Variable numbers shown were: #1-#33 #100-#149 #500-#511 #512-#559 I was also able to input a super short macro program, which I was able to call using G65-command. One questions comes into mind at this stage. Can user easily check/view values of system variables (#1000-) or are they always hidden? -pb

Hi pb,
Some System Variables can be written to, but all are able to be read. Reading the System Variable is quite straight forward as the following example will show:

#1 = #1000

If you execute the above block, the value of #1000 can be viewed in #1 via the Macro Variable page. If you put this in a short program to test, don't let the program read M30, as M30 is normally tied to the Reset function. Local Variables and Common Variables #100 - #149 are reset to vacant on Reset (parameters can be set to avoid this, but is not always desirable). You can also test this block in MDI.

In a Macro program, you can also set conditional statements based on the value of any Variable, System Variables included.
For example:

IF[#1000 EQ 1] GOTO100

In the above case, if the value of #1000 was 1, then the program would branch to the program block with the sequence number N100

Regards,

Bill

[polarbeer]

Thanks for the tips Bill!

I had wished, that user could directly and easily view system variables (#1000-) like those local and common variables from some settings page, but apparently that is not possible.

-pb