A 
 
Appendix  03.04 
B Terms 
 
 
Ó Siemens AG, 2004. All rights reserved 
A-492    SINUMERIK 840D/840Di/810D Operator’s Guide HMI Advanced (BAD) – 03.04 Edition 
   
Softkey 
A key whose name appears on an area of the screen. The choice of 
softkeys displayed is adapted dynamically to the operating situation. 
The freely assignable function keys (softkeys) are assigned to 
functions defined in the software. 
 
   
Software limit switches 
Software limit switches define the limits of the travel range of an axis 
and prevent the slide contacting the hardware limit switches. Two 
pairs of values can be assigned per axis and activated separately via 
the -> PLC. 
 
   
Spindles 
The spindle functionality is a two-level construct: 
1.   Spindles: Speed or position-controlled spindle drives analog 
+
10V (SINUMERIK FM-NC) 
digital   (SINUMERIK 840D) 
2.  Auxiliary spindles: Speed-controlled spindle drives "auxiliary 
spindle" function package, e.g. for power tools. 
 
   
Spline interpolation 
Using the spline interpolation function, the control is able to generate 
a smooth curve from just a small number of specified interpolation 
points along a setpoint contour. 
 
   
Standard cycles 
Standard cycles are used to program machining operations which 
repeat frequently: 
·  For drilling/milling 
·  For turning (SINUMERIK FM-NC) 
The available cycles are listed in menu "Cycle support" in the 
"Program" operating area. Once the desired machining cycle has 
been selected, the parameters required for assigning values are 
displayed in plaintext. 
 
   
Subblock 
Block prefixed by "N" containing information for a machining step such 
as a position parameter. 
 
   
Subroutine 
A sequence of instructions of a -> parts program which can be called 
repeatedly with different initial parameters. A subroutine is called from 
within a main program. Each subroutine can be blocked against 
unauthorized output. -> Cycles are a type of subroutine. 
 
   
Synchronization 
Instructions in -> parts programs for coordination of the operations in 
different -> channels at specific machining points.