Output parameters as variables

[viorel26]

currently running a fanuc 21i. i would like to output the cutting time parameter (n6754) as a variable to be used in a monitering macro. i understand thet there are other ways of doing this like setting m3 and m5 as start stop macros for a counter, but i was just curious if it possible to output parameters as variables as this may become usefull to me further down the track.

thanks in advance

[tomfitzgerald]

Originally Posted by viorel26 currently running a fanuc 21i. i would like to output the cutting time parameter (n6754) as a variable to be used in a monitering macro. i understand thet there are other ways of doing this like setting m3 and m5 as start stop macros for a counter, but i was just curious if it possible to output parameters as variables as this may become usefull to me further down the track. thanks in advance

By definition :Although parameters are also commonly referred to as arguments, arguments are more properly thought of as the actual values or references assigned to the parameter variables when the subroutine is called at runtime. When discussing code that is calling into a subroutine, any values or references passed into the subroutine are the arguments, and the place in the code where these values or references are given is the parameter list. When discussing the code inside the subroutine definition, the variables in the subroutine's parameter list are the parameters, while the values of the parameters at runtime are the arguments...

The short answer is probably not unless there is a specified argument (alpha/numeric) to call a variable subroutine placed by manufacturer... If they didn't put it in the parameters manual. It probably doesn't exist for any shop usable purpose.

[codyst]

You can pass parameter data to the cnc but it's tricky to make it work. You would have to add several Window read functions into the pmc, then make outputs as to the status of the parameter, and output again to a custom macro bit to actually pass the information into the system.

[Dan Fritz]

I don't know of a general way to read system parameters as macro variables, but there are some macro variables that you might find useful:

If it's a cycle time variable you're looking for, you can use macro variable #3002 to read the amount of time that the control has been "in cycle". This timer increments in 1-hour increments, so it's not useful as a precision timer. You should be able to preset a value into this variable with a macro statement also.

You can also use variable #3901 as a parts counter. This variable increments by 1 when a part cycle is completed.

[viorel26]

You can pass parameter data to the cnc but it's tricky to make it work. You would have to add several Window read functions into the pmc, then make outputs as to the status of the parameter, and output again to a custom macro bit to actually pass the information into the system.

That's it.I have 25 machine with fanuc 21i and when press "GRAPH" several times
appear one window which display tool life, and use variab. #500 #501 for preset value and display in this window; #502 #503 for tool life left and display in this window;and 2 soft key F1 (reset tool 1 #502) F2 (reset tool 2 #503) Program look like this
Oxxxx
G...T0101
....
#502=#502-1(when 502=0 alarm tool change)
G...T0206
...
#503=#503-1(when 503=0 alarm tool change)
...
M30%
Issue is some machine use #502 #503 for tool lief left and other use #525 #526 in tool life window .Is it possible to modify this window to use othet variab.( instead of..#525 to use #502 and #526to use #503)?