
2.BASIC FUNCTIONS SETTING B-75074EN/04
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Handshaking with the NC
The NC informs i CELL of the beginning and end of the process in two
ways. The first way uses handshaking, and the second way does not.
<1> Not using handshaking
The NC keeps the value of a custom macro variable for
notification of the beginning and end of the process at 1 for a
certain time then resets it to 0.
The NC cannot detect whether i CELL has read the change in the
custom macro variable value, but it continues machining even if i
CELL is not operating. No workpiece process result is collected if
i CELL is not operating, however.
Beginning and end of the process 1
(The value is changed by the NC.) 0
<2> Using handshaking
The NC changes the value of the custom macro variable for
notification of the beginning and end of the process to 1, and then
waits until the value of the custom macro variable for confirmation
of the beginning and end becomes 1. When the latter variable
becomes 1, the NC resets the former variable to 0.
This method can accurately inform i CELL of the beginning and
end of the process. However, handshaking is impossible unless i
CELL is operating. If i CELL is not operating, the NC cannot start
machining until the handshaking timer in the machining
subprogram detects a timeout.
Confirmation of the beginning and end 1
(The value is changed by i CELL.) 0
Beginning and end of the process 1
(The value is changed by the NC.) 0
Even if this method is in use, resetting a custom macro variable for
specifying whether to use handshaking to 0 disables handshaking.
Custom macro variable assignment
Once you have decided the item on which data is to be collected from
the NC, assign the item to a custom macro variable not being used by
the NC. Set the variable number of that custom macro variable in the
Workpieces Process Result tab of i CELL. Also create an NC program
for informing of the beginning and end of the process, using the custom
macro variable.
Read the following descriptions for explanations about a Workpieces
Process Result tab of i CELL. Also see Subsection 2.12.2, “Workpieces
Process Result,” for explanations about NC programs.
If you want to display character strings, rather than digits, for the
workpiece ID and process end ID in the workpieces process result
dialog box, see Section 2.10, “WORKPIECES PROCESS RESULT
SYSTEM CONFIGURATION.”