info required about fanuc macro programming

[sinha_nsit]

I want to learn fanuc macro programming. Can somebody direct me to a web site which explains it, starting from the basics?

[MarkT]

http://www.cncci.com/
great source to get started!
Best of Luck!
Mark T.

[lakeside]

This is a great site for some training info I bought ME Consultant from Mike Lynch on this sit I use the software all the time it been most helpful from the programming stand point for feeds and speeds
http://www.cncci.com/

[sinha_nsit]

Some clarifications needed:
Can we call subprograms (using M98) from a macro and
vice-versa (using G65/66)?

If the answer is "yes", can we have a total of 8
levels of mixed nesting (4 for macro and 4 for
subprograms)?

If the answer to the previous question is "yes", I
believe, all the nested macros will have different
"levels" of the local variables (#1 to #33), but the
local variables of the nested subprograms will have
the level of the calling program (which can be a macro
or another subprogram). Am I right?
Thanks.
S.K.Sinha

[psevin]

There are some differences in the M98 and G65 call that you should be aware of.

G65 allows an argument to be specified (passed to macro), M98 does not.

When M98 contains other G-code command, the subprogram is called after execution of the G-Code. G65 calls the macro unconditionally.

There are other differences also, with regard to Argument specifications. Without knowing what you are attempting to obtain, it would be difficult to state everything that may apply.

Buffering (look ahead) may also affect the operation of your macros.

The best reference is the Fanuc Operator's Manual, which has an entire section (Chapter 15 in current 16i/18i manual) on Custom Macro. I would suggest you obtain a copy.

[sinha_nsit]

Thanks for your reply. I do know the difference between M98 and G65/66. I also know how they work. I only want to know if it is possible to use G65/66 inside a subprogram called by M98, and also, whether M98 can be used inside a macro called by G65/66. In other words, can we have combined nesting of subprograms and macro. If yes, how are the local variables treated?
S.K.Sinha

[lgreeves]

Yes, you can. If you desigate a variable for one macro and change it for another then try to use the variable for your origanal marco with out setting your vaiables your value may not be what you are expecting.

[sinha_nsit]

Thanks for your reply. Let us discuss it with an example to make it more clear.
The main program 1000 calls a subprogram 1001 by M98,
1001 calls a macro 1002 by G65,
1002 calls a subprogram 1003 by M98,
1003 calls a macro 1004 by G65,
1004 calls a subprogram 1005 by M98,
1005 calls a macro 1006 by G65,
1006 calls a subprogram 1007 by M98 and
1007 calls a macro 1008 by G65.
Here we have used 8 level nesting - 4 for subprograms and 4 for macros. My question is that can we have a combined nesting of 8 levels in this manner? Actually, 4 levels of nesting each for subprograms and macros are allowed.
Assuming such a nesting is permissible with Fanuc 0i series, let us assume that a local variable #1 is being used in the main program as well as in all the nested subprograms/macros. I believe (please correct me if I am wrong!), a subprogram called by M98 does not change the level of the local variables of the calling program, whereas a macro called by G65 does change the level. This means that #1 will have different meanings in the main program 1000 and the 4 macros (1002, 1004, 1006 and 1008), but #1 of the main program 1000 and that of subprogram 1001 will have the same meaning (i.e., they refer to the same memory location). Similarly, #1 of 1002 and that of 1003 will have the same meaning, and so on. Am I correct?
I do have the original 0i series TC and MB manuals, but these things are not clear. Kindly help! Thanks.

[lgreeves]

I think I know what you want. I will test on my 150i.

[sinha_nsit]

Originally Posted by lgreeves I think I know what you want. I will test on my 150i.

What did you find?

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by sinha_nsit What did you find?

Have you looked at this Software yet? www.ncplot.com This will show you how to write Macros and back plot them for you.

Cheers!!!!!!!

[dpuch]

Originally Posted by sinha_nsit Thanks for your reply. Let us discuss it with an example to make it more clear. The main program 1000 calls a subprogram 1001 by M98, 1001 calls a macro 1002 by G65, 1002 calls a subprogram 1003 by M98, 1003 calls a macro 1004 by G65, 1004 calls a subprogram 1005 by M98, 1005 calls a macro 1006 by G65, 1006 calls a subprogram 1007 by M98 and 1007 calls a macro 1008 by G65. Here we have used 8 level nesting - 4 for subprograms and 4 for macros. ....

I believe this is all correct, and is so for any fanuc controls that support G65 and M98. The rest of the post seemed correct as well. I haven't done any testing of it though.