HEIDENHAIN TNC 310 (286 140) Pilot - Manual (Page 7)

7
Fundamentals
Absolute Cartesian Coordinates
The dimensions are measured from the current datum.
The tool moves to the absolute coordinates.
Programmable axes in an NC block
Linear motion:
any 3 axes
Circular motion: 2 linear axes in a plane
Incremental Cartesian Coordinates
The dimensions are measured from the last programmed position of
the tool.
The tool moves by the incremental coordinates.