proLIGHT MACHINING (PLM) 2000 CNC MILL

HARDWARE: Make sure the mill is plugged into the outlet. Connect the serial cable from the back of mill to the computer. This requires a 25 to 9 pin adapter. Turn on the power (red switch in back). If you get an error regarding communications problems when you run the PLM2000 software, check connections and cycle power to the mill and/or computer (cycling power to the mill usually does the trick). Be sure to first close the software before cycling power to the mill.

SOFTWARE:

• Open the PLM2000 software from the desktop shortcut (or access it directly in the ME324 Programs folder on the Desktop).
• If there is a communication error saying that it can't talk to the mill, check connections and cycle power to the mill (after first closing the software).
• To load an NC cutting file, go to File | Open | <filename>.nc
• Before cutting, verify how the cut will go (Run | Verify Program). This will show an animation of how the tool will cut the piece. If the cutter path traverses the cam clockwise instead of counterclockwise, you can use NotePad to edit the nc file before continuing. First replace all occurrences of "x" with "x-" and then replace all occurrences of "x--" with "x". This will reverse the sign of all x coordinates resulting in a mirror image that will traverse counterclockwise.
• To start making the cut, go to Run | Run Program.
• If you want to manually control the table mill, go to Run | Manual Control. The directions on how to control it are pretty clearly stated in the program. Basically, you use the number key pad to move the table around at a specified "jog feed."
• To change the X, Y and Z jog feed rates (how fast the table moves), go to Setup | Set Jog Feed. If you haven't used used the mill before, I suggest setting the X and Y feeds at 15 and Z at 5. You will quickly become comfortable at moving the table around and can then set the feeds at different rates. I suggest a slower Z rate so that you don't crash the bit into the table.
• You can redefine the zero position by going to Setup | Zero Position. For cutting the cams, I suggest zeroing it so that the bit is centered on the table (X and Y) and so the bit is as close to the table as you can get without actually touching it. But be careful; any time there is a negative z value, the bit will crash.
• Learning the basics of the mill is pretty easy. You can get the hang of cutting a cam in probably 10 minutes. Just play around with it!