Glossary
Basic Functions
1766 Function Manual, 09/2011, 6FC5397-0BP40-2BA0
PCIN data transfer program
PCIN is an auxiliary program for sending and receiving CNC user data (e.g. part programs, tool offsets, etc.) via
a serial interface. The PCIN program can run in MS-DOS on standard industrial PCs.
Peripheral module
I/O modules represent the link between the CPU and the process.
I/O modules are:
• → Digital input/output modules
• → Analog input/output modules
• → Simulator modules
PLC
Programmable Logic Control: → Programmable logic controller. Component of → NC: Programmable controller
for processing the control logic of the machine tool.
PLC program memory
SINUMERIK 840D: The PLC user program, the user data and the basic PLC program are stored together in the
PLC user memory.
PLC Programming
The PLC is programmed using the STEP7 software. The STEP7 programming software is based on the
WINDOWS standard operating system and contains the STEP 5 programming functions with innovative
enhancements.
Polar coordinates
A coordinate system, which defines the position of a point on a plane in terms of its distance from the origin and
the angle formed by the radius vector with a defined axis.
Polynomial interpolation
Polynomial interpolation enables a wide variety of curve characteristics to be generated, such as straight line,
parabolic, exponential functions (SINUMERIK840D).
Positioning axis
Axis that performs an auxiliary movement on a machine tool (e.g. tool magazine, pallet transport). Positioning
axes are axes that do not interpolate with → path axes.