Multi-Kernel Control Emulator Variables

Control Emulator uses a multi-kernel architecture to support CNC machines having multiple independent controllers, as would be found for example on a 4-axis merging lathe. When running a Composite control emulator or a control emulator for a merging lathe, the Machine Startup macro can be used to view or modify the input MCD file and Virtual Machine channel associated with each kernel. This is done via the multi-kernel system variables as detailed below.

Any changes to the multi-kernel variables must be done before the Machine Startup macro completes, because the kernels are instantiated at that time.

The $MCECNT Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}MCECNT}$

Number of kernels

Type: Numeric, Read-only

The $MCECNT variable defines the number of independent kernels in use. Two (2) kernels will be defined for a 4-axis merging lathe or mill-turn center with dual heads (e.g., a lathe with upper and lower turrets). For a Composite CE, there can be as few as one kernel or as many kernels as there are components, as defined by QUEST “General Information / General Description” section responses in the composite CE master.

The $MCECHN Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}MCECHN}\textbf{(}\mathit{kernels}\textbf{)}$

Kernel channel

Type: Numeric, Read/Write

The $MCECHN array variable defines the starting Virtual Machine (VM) channel number to be assigned to each kernel. By default, channel 1 is used for the first kernel and the channel number is incremented by 1 for each subsequent kernel. During processing, CE kernels will output VM related data to the specified channel, which is equivalent to setting the Virtual Machine $VMCHN system variable.

The $MCEINP Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}MCEINP}\textbf{(}\mathit{kernels}\textbf{)}$

Input file index

Type: Numeric, Read/Write

The $MCEINP array variable defines the input-file index associated with each kernel instance. The index is used to access information about the input file through several system-variable arrays, such as $MFICHN, $MFIKER, and $MFINAM.

The $MCEMCD Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}MCEMCD}\textbf{(}\mathit{kernels}\textbf{)}$

Kernel input MCD file

Type: String, Read/Write

The $MCEMCD array variable defines the input MCD file to be read by each kernel. By default, the semicolon (;) separated input MCD files specified on the CERUN command line are associated, left to right, to increasing CE kernels. If there are fewer input MCD files specified than there are kernels, the remaining kernels will not have an input file defined. It is the responsibility of the CE developer to either diagnose this case via the ERROR macro command, or to assign an input MCD file using the $MCEMCD system variable.

The $MCENAM Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}MCENAM}\textbf{(}\mathit{kernels}\textbf{)}$

Kernel name

Type: String, Read/Write

The $MCENAM array variable defines the name of each kernel, which will be used in diagnostics and in the user interface to identify individual kernels. Control Emulator assigns default names to each kernel, which can be modified in the Program Startup macro to whatever names are desired.

The $MFICHN Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}MFICHN}\textbf{(}\mathit{files}\textbf{)}$

Channel number assigned to each input file

Type: Numeric, Read/Write

The $MFICHN array variable defines the Virtual Machine channel number associated with each input file. The channel number is assigned at program startup.

The $MFICNT Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}MFICNT}$

Number of input files

Type: Numeric, Read-only

The $MFICNT variable defines the number of input files in use. It also determines how many valid entries exist in the per-file arrays such as $MFINAM, $MFIKER, and $MFICHN.

The $MFIKER Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}MFIKER}\textbf{(}\mathit{files}\textbf{)}$

Kernel ID assigned to each input file

Type: Numeric, Read/Write

The $MFIKER array variable defines the kernel ID associated with each input file. It can also be used to reassign an input file to a different kernel in a multi-kernel environment. Any reassignment must be done in the Machine Startup macro.

The $MFINAM Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}MFINAM}\textbf{(}\mathit{files}\textbf{)}$

Input file names (MCD)

Type: String, Read/Write

The $MFINAM array variable defines the name of each input file. The number of valid file names is determined by $MFICNT.

The $VMCHN Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}VMCHN}$

Current active channel

Type: Numeric, Read/Write

The $VMCHN variable defines and can set the current active channel number. By default, a merging lathe side head is controlled by channel 2; the main head by channel 1. Composite control emulator channel numbers are defined in the Questionnaire.