SODICK A320D - Chapter 4: Program Makeup; Program Structure and Commands

Wire EDM Machine Operation Chapter 4
Copyright November, 98 Page 4-1 Sodick Inc.
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Another facet of EDM operation is knowing how the machine will process a program. A
CNC program is very similar to giving a set of instructions to a person over the phone.
Over the phone, a person must be very explicit, since no hand motions or drawings can be
used. A CNC wire EDM machine requires this type of explicit instructions.
A program is made up of commands. Each command includes information to tell the
machine what to do. A command may tell the machine to turn on the flushing or move to
a particular position or generate a circular movement. A command includes a letter (X, Y,
I, J, R , G, N, T, M etc.) and a numerical value.
It is important to remember that any program will be generally executed in sequential
order. That is, the control will start from the first command of the program, execute it,
then move on to the next command.
For beginning manual programmers, it can be somewhat difficult to tell how much
information to include on a line. But as we discuss program formatting (in concept
number five), you will find that the recommended program formatting is easy to follow.
Also, you won’t have to memorize the information in every command. We will be
showing you good examples of program format in a way that allows you to simply copy
the recommended format. You will find it much easier to “recognize” these commands in
format than it is to come up with the proper format off the top of your head. Figure 4-1 is
a print to cut a square.
Figure 4-1