
B-63323EN-1/03 1.AXIS CONTROL
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1.7 PARALLEL AXIS CONTROL
General
When a machine tool is provided with multiple heads and multiple
tables, and multiple, identical workpieces are machined at the same
time, multiple controlled axes having the same axis name can be
operated at the same time by the use of a move command that specifies
only one program axis. This operation is called parallel operation.
Two or more axes which operate in parallel at the same time upon the
execution of a command that specifies only one program axis are called
parallel axes.
This function is useful for automatic operation, MDI operation, and
manual numeric commands. In manual operation, the parallel function
cannot be used. Each controlled axis operates independently.
In parallel operation, controlled axes related to one program axis
operate in the same way. With the use of an input signal sent from the
machine side, only the specified axis is selected among multiple
parallel axes and operated (parking).
Z
2
Z
1
Y
1
Y
2
X
Fig. 1.7 (a)
In the above figure, Y1 and Y2 are parallel axes and operate at the same
time with one address-Y command. Z1 and Z2 are also parallel axes
and operate at the same time with one address-Z command.
Parallel-axis movement has the following two conditions. One of the
two conditions is selected by the use of an input signal from the
machine side.
- Normal (parking off):
Operation is performed as specified by the command.
- Parking (parking on):
No operation is performed and the command is ignored.