Define Macros on an Axial Machining Operation

	This task shows you how to define macros on an axial machining operation. This is done using the Macros tab page of the machining operation editor. For more general information about macros, see NC Macros.
	Macro Types The following macro types can be defined on axial machining operations: Approach, which is used to approach the operation start point Retract, which is used to retract from the operation end point Linking, which is generally used to link points of a pattern Clearance, which can be used to define the feedrate on the horizontal path between two machining positions. Some specific axial machining operations support additional macro types: Global approach and Global retract (Circular Milling and Thread Milling) The Approach macro is used to approach each drilled point in the pattern, and the Global approach macro is used in the approach of the first drilled point only. For the first point, the Global approach is added before the Approach macro. Similarly, the Retract macro is used to retract from each drilled point, and the Global retract macro is used in the retract from the last drilled point only. For the last point, the Global retract is added after the Retract macro. Return between levels (predefined macro in Circular Milling in Standard machining mode only, which is used link two consecutive levels). A special feature of this macro is the capability to specify a feedrate value on the approach motion between levels. Return in a level (predefined macro in Circular Milling in Standard machining mode only, which is used to link two consecutive paths in a given level). User-Built Macros You can use the following icons for specifying your macro paths: axial motion PP word motion perpendicular to a plane axial motion to a plane motion perpendicular to a line distance along a given direction tool axis motion motion to a point.
	In addition, the following icons allow you to: remove all macro motions remove current macro motion copy the motions defined on the Approach macro on to the approach motions of other macros or copy the motions defined on the Retract macro on to the retract motions of other macros.
	Macro Edition A sensitive icon representing the elementary paths of the macro will help you to build or edit your macro. The current macro path is colored violet. Right-clicking a macro path gives you access to a contextual menu. Deactivate: Deactivates the selected macro path. Activate: Activates a path that was previously deactivated Feedrate: Allows you to modify the feedrate type associated to the selected macro path by making a selection in the sub-menu. If local is selected, you can assign a local feedrate value. Parameter: Gives access to parameters of the selected macro path. Delete: Deletes the selected macro path. Insert: Inserts a macro path depending on the type chosen in the sub-menu
	Inherited Macros If you create a machining operation and there are other operations of the same type in the program, it will inherit the macros used in the most-recently edited operation of the same type. An operation is considered edited when you click OK to quit the operation definition dialog box.
	Create a Drilling operation as described in the Prismatic Machining User's Guide.
	1.	Double-click the Drilling operation in the specification tree to edit that operation.
	2.	Select the Macros tab page in the operation definition dialog box. The initial status of all the macros in the Macro Management list is `Inactive`.
	3.	Right-click the `Approach` macro line and activate the macro by means of `Activate`. In the Current Macro Toolbox, select `Add Axial Motion` . A sensitive icon representing the elementary paths of the macro appears.
	4.	Double-click the displayed value in order to edit it. A dialog box appears to allow you to specify the desired distance (30mm, for example).
	5.	You can then click `Replay` to check the axial approach. The status of the macro becomes `Up to date`.
	6.	Activate the `Retract` macro in the Macro Management list, and create a 30 mm axial retract motion in the same way.
	7.	Activate the `Linking Retract` macro in the Macro Management list, and create a 25mm axial retract motion for the linking macro. In the same way create a 25mm axial motion for the approach portion of the linking macro. You can then click `Replay` to check the defined motions. The status of the macros change to `Up to date`. Note that if a jump distance is defined on the operation, it will be used in preference to the linking macro. Similarly if local entry/exit distances are defined on the operation, they will be used in preference to the linking macro.
	8.	Click Replay to validate the tool path. In the Replay dialog box, select the `Different colors` mode in order to visualize feedrate changes. The tool path is displayed with the following colors: Yellow: approach feedrate Green: machining feedrate Blue: retract feedrate Red: Rapid feedrate Purple: plunge feedrate White: local feedrate.
	9.	Click OK to accept the modifications made to the operation. The operation is updated with the specified macros.
	PP Words in Macros You can insert PP words in macros by double-clicking the green X symbols in the sensitive icons. The PP Words Selection dialog box is displayed. You can enter the syntax in the following ways: enter one or more PP word syntaxes directly in the text field click to access the PP words table that is referenced in the current part operation. You can then select predefined syntaxes from this table using the dialog box that appears. For Circular Milling operations, you should select the NC_CUTCOM_ON instruction in the list of available syntaxes if you want the program to interpret cutter compensation automatically (that is, by a CUTCOM/LEFT or CUTCOM/RIGHT instruction). If you choose different syntax in the list, it will be used as selected. The methodology for this is described in the section "How to Generate CUTCOM Syntaxes" in the Prismatic Machining User's Guide.