Is anyone familiar with macral programming?

[Tool Breaker]

I have not really heard of this. I would like to know as much about this if anyone can help!

[ImanCarrot]

Haven't heard of MACRAL programming, but did you mean MACRO programming? if so there's a wealth of information here about it.

Sorry if you did mean MACRAL, just never heard of it.

[Tool Breaker]

Thanx for the input ImanCarrot. Im new to CNC programming and have heard of macro's but am unfamiliar with that form of programming. IS that the "if blank = 1 than do this or if blank = 0 do that?" Any input would be helpful.

[Tool Breaker]

Thanx ImanCarrot. I hadnt heard of it either but have heard of Macro's. Im new to CNC programming and am in need of figuring out how to do it (Macro programming). Is that the type of programming where "If blank = 1 then do this or if blank = 0 then do that?" Any info on this would be appreciated.

[ctate2000]

Programming with macros is also referred to as parametric programming. It uses variables along with logic statements to perform complex tasks. Automatic tool setting and probing employ macros. Many times it used to program part families where the geometry of the parts is very similar and one program can run many different parts by changing the values of the variables. You also see macros used in many canned functions like circular interpolation of holes and making bolt patterns. It is a very powerful form of programming and is not difficult just intimidating at first.

[jetski]

Macral programming is a programming language use only by fish in deap water. It was invented by a religious macral who went by the name "Holy" Hence the name "Holy Macral". Dont forget about Macral B programming. Imacarrot I hope you are out there this is some good stuff.

[Tool Breaker]

LOL JESTKI! I believe your referring to Makarel though! That was very helpful crate2000, thanx. The machine is using a probe to locate the workpiece and creating a hole pattern so I guess its a good program for the job but I am supposedly gonna have to go thru this program to make it more operator friendly. Im a decent programmer when it comes to G's and M's and dont have alot of problem with the simple stuff but I feel like macro, or parametric programming (which Ive heard of), is gonna be a bit tougher. But IM gonna have to figure it out I guess.

[jetski]

I just could not resist the fun guys sorry. Any way Fanuc offers a Macro B programming class at Hoffman Estates near Chicago. Their office building. I took the class several years ago and did some cool stuff with it when I worked for an oem of graphite machining centers. The other thing is to address the above I am a tool maker not an english teacher, so my spelling sucks but I can trig the hell out of anything. I use to design injection molds on paper no cad. Take the class in Chicago if you can. What a cool class. Basicaly takes and reads machine inputs and you can do things like if you have a cutter running for 6 hours straight you can monitor the time and at 3 hours in change the cutter. Or program the machine to check the tool probe program for cutter wear. Fanuc has a great class and good instructors.

[snafu350]

G and M code programs are basicly Macros too...it's just that the if and then action is happening behind the scenes. I have learned the most about Macros from the company that installed my spindle probe. Also, the machine tool rep, has application guys that have helped me out tremendously. Is there a specific question or problem you have??

[_Kristian_]

Ive been programming iso for quite some time now but just recently started to try out the macro programming, i was wondering if anyone knows where to find a list of wich words can be used such as, if then when and so on...
so far ive been learning by trying and trying and trying, no books or anything that can help, done some progress tho but it would probably go a bit faster with some help... so far ive manage to create a macro that checks the

Wear value in the tool offset and change it automaticly and to tell you when its about time to change the tool.

some of us have problems with threads that dont fit exactly so you have to change the wear in offset and run the cycle again... so i thought it would be good especially if you have larger series to let the machine do it itself.

anyone got the list over various commands that he/she wishes to share with us?

[neilw20]

You invent your own words, within the rules of the program you are using.
Like don't use this symbol, do this with spaces, how many letters. Upper/lower case and other rules. Braodly, you might think of it a s text substutuion.
Read the documentation for the language you are targeting.
Example:
COMMAND_I_CAN_READ could mean WHAT_GIBBERISH_IS_THIS (wierd command).
see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_language#Macros
for a real explanation!.

[Andre' B]

Originally Posted by _Kristian_ Ive been programming iso for quite some time now but just recently started to try out the macro programming, i was wondering if anyone knows where to find a list of wich words can be used such as, if then when and so on...

Have you looked at the programmers manual that for the control you are using?

If you do not have the manual you should try to get one.

You can get a GE FANUC User Manual for the 16i and 18i controls here. Look down at the bottom of the page. It is a little over 5MB.
http://www.compumachine.com/Support/DL-Fadal.htm

The macro stuff starts on page 392, much of the info will allpy to amost any control but some of it like the address of the tool offset table will change depending on the machine/control.