72
MASTERPIPE
®
Mini Profiler
G-code panel
The G-code panel lists the instructions sent to the CNC controller and lets you follow
them step-by-step. G-code can also be edited to correct errors or perform special tasks.
• G-code is the numerical control (NC) programming language, which
has many implementations in various kinds of automated equipment.
It is “standardized” but also customized for the particular machine
operation types. This includes some customization for the equipment
you’ll use with TM4.
• In the TM4 driver software, the G-code language is used to tell the
CNC controller what it needs to do in order to produce something
(typically by cutting or marking) that you want made.
• The G-code tells the CNC controller the destination of a move,
how fast to move, through what path to move, and whether to cut
or not cut during the move.
• The CNC controller responds to the G-code by creating signals
for motors or to turn tools on and off. In this way, the machine is
under complete computerized control.
• Many beginning tutorials on G-code programming are available on
the Internet. These can be helpful for you when using TM4 software.
• If you create and export a .DXF file from a drawing program, and
particularly from Torchmate CAD/CAM and then import it into TM4,
TM4 will convert it into G-code, prompt you to save the G-code with
a file extension of .FGC, and display the G-code lines in the G-code
display panel. In the future, you can directly re-load the .FGC file,
which also displays the G-code lines.
• If you have created a tubing profile in Vernon Tool WinMPM
®
you
can export it as an .FGC file that imports directly into TM4. It is also
displayed in the G-code display panel.
• If you use the TM4 Editor (
File
X
Editor
or double-click on the
G-code panel) to edit the current G-code file or to create G-code
from scratch, when you finish with the editor, the updated G-code is
displayed in the panel.
• The G-code panel highlights the line of code that the machine is
currently running.
• It is not normally necessary to be able to read, write, or understand
G-code to operate the machine. However, a familiarity with G-code
and it’s purpose can be helpful in understanding and correcting
problems.
What is G-code?
Where does G-code
come from?
Follow G-code
execution
Summary of Contents for MASTERPIPE Mini Profiler
Page 9: ...1 Safety Guide Safety Information ...
Page 19: ...11 Installation and Operations Guide Hardware Installation ...
Page 62: ...54 MASTERPIPE Mini Profiler ...
Page 63: ...55 Driver Software Driver Introduction ...
Page 65: ...57 Driver Software Illustrations screen shots of the TM4 installation pro cess ...
Page 67: ...59 Driver Software Illustrations screen shots of the device driver installa tion process ...
Page 96: ...88 MASTERPIPE Mini Profiler ...
Page 97: ...89 Installation and Operations Guide Parts ...
Page 100: ...92 MASTERPIPE Mini Profiler ...
Page 101: ...93 Installation and Operations Guide Troubleshooting ...