Document Outline

• Controls of the 3500i
  • Keys on visual display unit
  • Numerical keys
  • Data Entry keys
  • Axis Keys
  • Touch QWERTY keyboard
  • Numeric Touch Pad(s)
  • Axis Jog keys
  • Navigation keys
  • Potentiometer for feed rate and spindle speed override
  • Keyboard Installation
  • Keyboard Equivalent Key Strokes
• Manual Information
  • Message symbols
    • Fonts Used in this manual
  • Model, Software and Features
    • Intended place of operation
  • New Functions of Software
    • 689 871-01-02
    • 689 871-01-09
  • Changed Functions of Software
    • 689 871-01-01
    • 689 871-01-02
    • 689 871-01-03
    • 689 871-01-04
    • 689 871-01-05
    • 689 871-01-08
    • 689 871-01-09
• Introduction
  • 1.1 The 3500i
    • ACU-RITE conversational, and G-code formats
    • Powering Up the CNC Machine
    • E-Stop, Servo Reset, and CNC Shutdown
    • Writing Programs
  • 1.2 Visual Display Unit
    • Operating Panel with Touch Screen display
    • Screen Navigation
    • Menus, Dialogues, and Forms
    • General Operating Guidelines
      • Main Operating Modes
      • Sub Modes
      • Upper Menu and Status Information Bar
      • Machine function buttons
      • Keyboard
      • Additional Buttons
      • Special Characters
      • Programming Sliders
      • Numeric touch pad
      • Calculator
      • Advanced Function buttons
    • Context Sensitive Help
      • Using Context Sensitive Help
    • Console Key Pad
  • 1.3 Main Operating Mode Screens
    • Display navigation
    • Manual Data Input
    • Program Management Screen
    • Program Run
  • 1.4 Accessories:
    • Touch probes
    • HR electronic hand wheels
    • Electronic Edge Finder
• Machining Fundamentals
  • 2.1 Fundamentals of Positioning
    • Position encoders and reference marks
    • Reference system
    • Reference system on milling machines
    • Designation of the axes on milling machines
    • Polar coordinates
      • Setting the pole and the angle reference axis
      • Absolute and incremental polar coordinates
      • Angle Measurements
    • Absolute and incremental work piece positions
      • Absolute work piece positions
      • Incremental work piece positions
    • Setting the datum
      • Fixture Offsets
  • 2.2 Manual Machine Positioning
    • Jog Mode Moves
      • Changing the Jog Mode
      • Incremental Moves
      • Continuous Moves
      • Adjusting the Feedrate
    • Overriding the Spindle RPM
• Manual Data Input
  • 3.1 Manual Data Input (MDI)
    • Overview
    • Manual Data Input Screen
    • Manual Data Input Mode Settings
    • Manual Data Input Menu Bar
      • MDI Menu Page two
    • Manual Data Input Operations
    • Manual Data Input Cycles
      • Pocket Cycle Example
    • Block History
    • G-code MDI
    • MDI Touch Screen Feature Dialogues
      • Zero Axes
      • Program Preset
      • Move to Target Location
      • Tool
      • Offset
      • Basic Modals
      • Feed and Speed
    • MDI Teach
• Tool Management
  • 4.1 Tool Table
    • Tool Table / Tool Management
    • Tool Compensation Required Data
    • Tool numbers / Tool names
    • Locating the Tool Table
    • Editing the tool table
      • Tool Table Menu Bar
      • Second Menu Bar
      • Clearing an entire line of tool data
      • Clearing the current tool table
      • Find
      • Finding a tool using text
      • Clear Feature
      • Teach, and Teach Program
    • Tool Table Structure
      • Tool table: Standard tool data
    • Feeds & Speeds Table
      • Feeds & Speeds Overview
      • Feeds & Speeds Table Structure
      • Using the Feeds & Speeds Table
    • Simulation Tool and Offset Tables
  • 4.2 Tool Data
    • T-Codes, and Tool Activation
    • Activating Offsets via the Program
    • Tool-Length Offsets
      • Entering Tool Length Offsets in the Tool Table
    • Diameter Offset in Tool Table
    • Tool Radius Compensation
      • Contouring without radius compensation
      • Contouring with radius compensation
      • Radius compensation: Machining corners
      • Ramping into a Compensation Move
      • Line Tangent Entry Move
      • Line Perpendicular Entry Move
      • Arc Tangent Entry Move
      • Line Arc Tangent Entry Move
      • Special Code: Temporary Change of Tool Diameter
    • Tool Compensation Path
      • Path of Tool During Tool Compensation
      • Intersecting Points
      • Compensation Around Acute Angles
    • General Precautions
    • Fixture Offsets - Tool menu
    • Tool Life Management
      • Activate Tool Life Management
      • Lock, or Unlock a Tool
      • Replacement Tool (RT)
• Program Management
  • 5.1 Program Management Introduction
    • Accessing Program Management
    • Program Screen Description
    • Program Manager Menu Bar
    • Utility Function Buttons
    • Display window arrangement
  • 5.2 Program Manager Functions
    • Folder Filter
    • Advanced Folder Filter
    • Utility Button Functions
    • Sorting Folder Contents
    • Program Properties
    • Recycle Bin
    • USB Access
  • 5.3 Creating, Editing, & Selecting to Run
    • Creating a New Part Program
    • Editing an Existing Part Program
    • Selecting a Program To Run
      • Program selection:
    • Using custom program templates
      • To create custom program templates:
• Conversational Editing
  • 6.1 Conversational Programming
    • Getting Started
    • Program Edit Screen
      • Program Edit buttons
    • Conversational Data Input Cycles
      • Milling Button
      • Milling Feature Buttons
      • More Milling Button
      • Drill Features Button
      • Pocket Cycles Button
      • Other Cycles Button
    • Program Editing
      • Mark a program block:
      • Unmark a block, or blocks:
      • Deleting a program block:
      • Inserting a program block:
      • Copy/Paste Blocks in a program
      • Moving Blocks in a program
      • Canceling edits to a program block:
      • Restore edits to a program block:
      • Editing an existing block:
      • Inserting program blocks using keypad hotkeys:
    • Program Text Editing
      • Find: Specific Text or Code in a program
    • Program Edit Preview
      • Preview Side Bar Menu
      • Preview Features Menu
    • Program / Display Relation
• Programming: Canned Cycles, sub-programs
  • 7.1 Explaining Basic Cycles
    • Round/Chamfer
      • Corner Rounding
      • Line-to-Line Corner Rounding
      • Line-to-Arc Corner Rounding
      • Arc-to-Arc Corner Rounding
      • Chamfering
    • Rapid
      • Rapid Move
      • Rapid Move - EndPoint:
      • Rapid Move - Angle and Radius:
      • Rapid Move - Angle and X:
      • Rapid Move - Angle and Y:
      • Rapid Move - Radius and X:
      • Rapid Move - Radius and Y:
    • Line
      • Line Move:
      • Line Move - EndPoint:
      • Line Move - Angle and Radius:
      • Line Move - Angle and X:
      • Line Move - Angle and Y:
      • Line Move - Radius and X:
      • Line Move - Radius and Y:
    • Arc
      • Arc Move:
      • Arc Move - Radius and EndPoint:
      • Arc Move - Center and EndPoint:
      • Arc Move - Center and Angle:
      • Using Arc Center and EndPoint to create a circle
      • Arc Move - Center and Angle, Absolute mode:
      • Arc Move - Center and Angle, Incremental mode:
    • Dwell:
    • Plane Selection
    • Reference Point Return:
    • Fixture Offset (Work Coordinate System Select):
    • Unit (Inch/MM)
    • Dimension (Abs/Inc)
    • Absolute Zero Set
    • Block Form
    • Temporary Path Tolerance
    • System Data
    • FeedRate
    • FeedRate (4th-Axis)
    • Spindle RPM
    • M - Functions
    • Tool Definition and Activation
    • Repeat Blocks
  • 7.2 Canned Cycles
    • Canned Cycles
    • Drilling Cycles
      • Drilling, Tapping, and Boring
      • Basic Drill Cycle
      • Counterbore Drill Cycle
      • Peck Drill Cycle
      • Tapping Cycle
      • Boring Bidirectional Cycle
      • Boring Unidirectional Cycle
      • Chip Break Cycle
      • Flat Bottom Boring Cycle
      • Drill Bolt Hole Cycle
      • Drill Pattern Cycle
    • Milling Cycles
      • Mill Cycle
      • EndMill Cycle
      • Face Mill Cycle
      • Hole Mill Cycle
      • Thread Mill Cycle
      • Circular Profile Cycle
      • Rectangular Profile Cycle
    • Pocket Cycles
      • Pocket Cycle Overview:
      • Draft Angle Pocket Cycle
      • Rectangular Pocket Cycle
      • Circular Pocket Cycle
      • Plunge Rectangular Pocket Cycle
      • Plunge Circular Pocket Cycle
      • Frame Pocket Cycle
      • Ring Pocket Cycle
      • Slot Cycle
      • Circular Slot Cycle
      • Irregular Pocket Cycle
      • Islands
      • Bottom Finish
      • Side Finish
    • Engraving Cycles
      • Programming the Engrave Cycle
      • Programming the Arc Engrave Cycle
  • 7.3 Probing Cycles
    • Tool, and Spindle Probe cycles
    • Tool Probe Cycles
      • Tool Probe Calibration Cycle
      • Tool Length and Diameter Offset Preset
      • Manual Tool-Length Offset Preset
      • Manual Tool Diameter Measure for Special Tools
      • Tool Breakage, Length and Diameter Wear Detection
    • Spindle Probe
      • Spindle Probe Cycles
      • Spindle Probe Settings
      • Spindle Probe Calibration Cycle
      • Edge Finding
      • Outside Corner Finding
      • Inside Corner Finding
      • Inside/Outside Boss/Hole Finding
      • Inside/Outside Web Finding
      • Protected Probe Positioning
      • Skew Compensation
      • Using the Z Work Offset Update Feature
  • 7.4 Sub-programs
    • Sub-program information:
      • Overview
      • Ending the Main Program
    • Defining a sub-program
    • Ending a sub-program
    • Calling a sub-program
    • Looping a sub-program
    • Rotate, Mirror, and/or Scale a sub-program
    • Pocket and Islands example
      • Pocket/Island example 1
      • Pocket/Island example 2
      • Pocket/Island example 3
      • Pocket/Island example 4
      • Pocket/Island example 5
      • Pocket/Island example 6
• Drawing Programs
  • 8.1 Draw
    • Viewing Programs
    • Starting Draw
    • View Options Menu
    • Adjust View Menu
    • Adjust Block Form
    • Zoom
    • Rotate Drawing View
    • Pan Drawing View
    • Line View Adjustments
    • Draw Options
    • Sim Tools
• Running a Program on the Machine
  • 9.1 Running a program
    • Modes of Programmed Operation
    • Auto mode
      • Starting a program
      • Pause, or Stop a running program
    • Clearing a Messages
    • Single Step
    • Block Search
      • Select a Starting Block
    • Using Draw with running programs
    • Program Status Area
    • Parts Counter
    • Program Run Timers
    • Accessing the Tool Table
    • Axis Jog keys
    • In-Program Axis Jogging
• CAM: Programming
  • 10.1 CAM Programming
    • CAM Mode
    • Recommended CAM Programming Sequence
      • CAM Setup
      • Geometry Data
      • Job Setup
      • CNC Program
    • CAM Mode Mouse Operations
    • CAM Mode Screen
    • Activating CAM Mode
    • Creating a New Program
      • CAM Mode buttons
      • Geometry Toolbar buttons:
      • Point Tool buttons
      • Point Editing
      • Line Tool buttons
      • Editing a Line
      • Circle Tool buttons
      • Circle Editing
      • Shape Tool buttons
      • Tool Path Buttons
    • Tool Path Data Input
    • Quick Coordinate Entry
    • Job Setup: Basic tab
      • Basic tab Data Entries
    • Job Setup: Advanced tab
      • Advanced tab Data Entries
    • Comment Tab
    • Block Form: Basic tab
      • Basic tab Data Entries
    • Comment Tab
    • Drilling Cycle:
      • Drill Cycle: Basic
      • Drill Cycle: Counterbore
      • Drill Cycle: Peck
      • Drill Cycle: Tapping
      • Drill Cycle: Boring Bidirectional
      • Drill Cycle: Boring Unidirectional
      • Drill Cycle: Chip Break
      • Drill Cycle: Flat Bottom Boring
    • Drilling dialogue:
      • Basic tab
      • Setup tab:
      • Bolt Hole tab:
      • Pattern tab:
      • Comment tab:
    • Mill Cycle
      • Basic tab:
      • Setup tab:
    • Pocket Cycle
      • Basic tab:
      • Setup tab:
    • Pocket Finish Cycles
      • Bottom tab:
      • Side tab:
      • Adding a Machining Side:
    • Engraving Cycle
      • Basic tab:
      • Setup tab:
      • Comment tab:
    • Program Directive
      • Adding a Program Directive
    • Modifying Toolbar
      • Modifying Tools Buttons:
    • Viewing Tools
      • Viewing Tool Buttons:
    • CAM Mode buttons
      • CAM Tool Buttons:
    • CAM Setup
      • Selection tab:
      • Output tab:
      • Display tab:
      • Tool Table tab:
      • View Buttons:
    • Geometry
      • Defining Geometry:
      • Completing the Geometry:
      • Finalizing the geometry
      • Creating the shape
    • DXF Import Feature
      • DXF Entities Supported
      • DXF Entities Not Supported
      • Importing a DXF File
    • Modifying Tools
      • Corner Radius (inserting)
      • Chamfer (inserting)
      • Trimming Geometry
      • Delete button
      • Properties button
    • Shapes
      • Copying a Shape
      • Moving a Shape
    • Tool Table
      • Setting up the Tool Table
      • Importing a Tool Table
      • Exporting a Tool Table
    • Tool Paths
      • Creating a Tool Path in CAM Mode
      • Tool Path Verification
      • Tool Path Editing
      • Use Existing Shape
      • Editing a Tool Path
      • Disabling, and Enabling Tool Paths
      • Deleting Tool Paths
      • Arranging Tool Paths Sequence
      • Smart Programming
      • Files Created
    • CAM Example 1
      • Exercise One:
      • Defining Geometry:
      • Connecting the Geometry:
      • Finalizing the geometry
      • Creating the shape
      • Creating the tool paths:
    • CAM Example 2
      • Example Two:
      • Create Circle Geometry:
      • Create Line Geometry
      • Finalizing the geometry
      • Creating the shape
      • Creating the tool paths:
• G-Code Edit, Help, & Advanced Features
  • 11.1 G-Code Program Editing
    • Activating Edit Mode
    • Program Edit Screen
      • Program Edit buttons
      • Edit Features menu
      • Preview Features menu
    • Program Editing
      • Mark a program block:
      • Unmark a block, or blocks:
      • Delete a Character:
      • Deleting a program block:
      • Inserting a program block:
      • Copy/Paste Blocks in a program
      • Moving Blocks in a program
      • Canceling edits to a program block:
      • Restore edits to a program block:
    • Program Text Editing
      • Inserting Text:
      • Overwriting Text:
      • Find: Specific Text or Code in a program
      • Replace: Specific Text, or Code in a program
    • Preview Features
      • Edit Features Menu
    • Program / Display Relation
      • Edit Help Preview
  • 11.2 G-Code and M-Code Definitions
    • G-Code
    • M-Code Definition
    • Typing in Address Words
    • Typing in M-Codes
  • 11.3 Edit Help
    • Activating Edit Help
    • Help Graphic Screens
    • G - Functions
      • Basic Modal Functions
      • Multi -Segment Blocks
      • Arcs
      • Drilling Cycles
      • Pocket Cycles
      • Milling and Profiles
      • Rotation, Scaling, and Mirroring
      • Spindle Probing
      • Tool Probing
      • Tool Radius Compensation
      • Other G - Functions
    • M - Functions
      • All M - Functions
      • Basic M - Functions
      • Cooling, Cleaning, and Lubrication
      • Spindle Functions
      • Tool Change
  • 11.4 Advanced Programming
    • SPEED
    • M - Functions
      • Miscellaneous (M-Code)
      • Control M - Codes
    • Order of Execution
    • Programming Non-modal Exact Stop:
    • In-Position Mode (Exact Stop Check):
    • Contouring Mode (Cutting Mode) :
    • Setting Stroke Limit:
    • Return from Reference Point:
    • Move Reference from Machine Datum:
    • Modifiers
    • Block Separators
    • Tool Offset Modification
    • Expressions and Functions
    • System Variables
    • User Variables
    • Variable Programming (Parametric Programming)
      • Block Skip
      • Select Block Skip
      • Parameters and Variable Registers
      • Setting and Direct Transfer Variables
      • Indirect Transfer:
      • Storing Result of Computation
      • Variable Programming Examples
      • User Macros (G65, G66, G67)
      • Macro Body Structure
      • Setting and Passing Parameters
    • Probe Move (G31)
    • Conditional Statements
      • Unconditional LOOP Repeat
    • Short Form Addressing
    • Logical and Comparative Terms
    • File Inclusion
  • 11.5 Four Axis Programming
    • Axis Type
      • Linear:
      • Rotary:
      • Conversion formula:
      • Rotary Axis Programming Conventions
      • Programming Examples
• Software Update
  • 12.1 Updating System Software
    • Software Update
    • Procedure for updating the software
• Off-Line Software
  • 13.1 3500i Off-Line Software
    • Off-Line Simulator
    • System Requirements
    • Installation
    • Operation
    • Updating