Tool Position after Cycle

After a cycle block, the tool retracts back along the tool axis. The retract height depends on the actual machine and controller used. It is important for GPP2 to know the tool position after the cycle, in case it needs to conduct a connection from that point (to the next hole or to the next procedure).

GPP2 calculates a default retract height, as explained below, and sets it in the variable ZCYC_END (the Z value of the tool after the hole). In order to support other types of machines with a different behavior, the EX2 program may override this value during the cycle block.

With some controllers, the tool height after the hole is determined by the first cycle (the on cycle) init height or by the next cycle (look-ahead). In order for the EX2 program to be able to determine the actual tool height after the cycle, several variables have been added to assist the EX2 program in the calculation:

• ZCYC_NEXT_INIT: the ZINIT point of the next cycle. This variable is only meaningful if the next cycle block is not an off block, and the next is of the same orientation as this cycle (otherwise, the height notion is basically flawed).

• ZCYC_NEXT_CLEAR: the CLEAR point of the next cycle. This variable is only meaningful if the next cycle block is not an off block, and the next is of the same orientation as this cycle (otherwise, the height notion is basically flawed).

• ZCYC_INIT_FIRST: the ZINIT point of the first cycle (the on cycle). This variable is only meaningful if the first cycle is of the same orientation as this cycle (otherwise, the height notion is basically flawed).

GPP2 will read the value of the ZCYC_END variable after the CYCLE block is executed, and will assume that the tool height is according to that value. In case of an inter-cycle connection process, the connection will start at that height.