Lathe Variables

The $E Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}E}$

Thread lead (<=0:?)

Type: Numeric, Read/Write

The $E variable contains the thread lead in units per revolution (uPR) as defined on the last PITCH or THREAD command. If the value is less than or equal to zero (0) then no thread lead has been defined. The thread lead is calculated as the thread pitch ($PITCH) multiplied by the number of thread starts ($MULTRD).

The $EV Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}EV}$

Thread variable lead (–ve:DECR, 0:no, +ve:INCR)

Type: Numeric, Read/Write

The $EV variable contains the thread variable lead in units per revolution (uPR) as defined using the INCR or DECR option on the last PITCH or THREAD command. A negative value indicates a decreasing lead thread. A positive value indicates an increasing thread lead. A value of zero (0) indicates a constant lead thread. The thread variable lead is calculated as the thread variable pitch ($PITCHV) multiplied by the number of thread starts ($MULTRD).

The $HEAD Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}HEAD}$

Current lathe head (MAIN or SIDE)

Type: Minor Word, Read-only

The $HEAD variable indicates which lathe head is currently in effect. It has a value of MAIN if the main head is active and SIDE if the side head is active. Note that the value of this variable is a minor word, not a string value.

The $LTHMOD Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}LTHMOD}$

Lathe machining mode (0:TURN,1:MILL)

Type: Numeric, Read-only

The $LTHMOD variable is valid for C-axis lathes. It indicates the machining mode currently in effect.

The $MERGE Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}MERGE}$

True if in head merging mode

Type: Logical, Read-only

The $MERGE variable is applicable to four axis lathes and EDMs with merging capability. It has a value of $TRUE if the machine is in head merging mode and a value of $FALSE otherwise.

The $MULTRD Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}MULTRD}$

Number of thread starts

Type: Numeric, Read/Write

The $MULTRD variable contains the number of thread starts defined using the MULTRD option on the last PITCH or THREAD command.

The $PITCH Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}PITCH}$

Thread pitch

Type: Numeric, Read/Write

The $PITCH variable contains the thread pitch in units per revolution (uPR) as defined on the last PITCH or THREAD command. If the value is less than or equal to zero (0) then no thread pitch has been defined.

The $PITCHV Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}PITCHV}$

Thread variable pitch

Type: Numeric, Read/Write

The $PITCHV variable contains the thread variable pitch in units per revolution (uPR) as defined using the INCR or DECR option on the last PITCH or THREAD command. A negative value indicates a decreasing pitch thread. A positive value indicates an increasing pitch thread. A value of zero (0) indicates a constant pitch thread.

The $SHEAD Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}SHEAD}$

Merging lathe spindle controlled by (<1:? 1:MAIN 2:SIDE)

Type: Numeric, Read/Write

The $SHEAD variable indicates which lathe head is currently controlling the spindle for constant surface speed purposes. The value 1 represents the MAIN (upper) head and 2 represents the SIDE (lower) head. It can be set using the “SPINDL,n” option on a HEAD command within a HEAD/BOTH merging lathe block. If the controlling spindle is not defined or is defined as zero (0), then GENER will set the controlling spindle to the head that first processes a SPINDL command.

The $SMID Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}SMID}$

Lathe milling spindle ID

Type: Numeric, Read-only

The $SMID variable contains the current lathe milling spindle ID. The ID number of the various available spindles are defined in the QUEST Machine Description / Spindle section “Spindle ID” questions.

The $SPINDLE Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}SPINDLE}$

Current lathe spindle active

Type: Minor Word, Read/Write

The $SPINDLE variable defines the current active lathe spindle. It has a value of FRONT if the main spindle is being controlled. It has a value of REAR if the sub-spindle is being controlled.

The $STID Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}STID}$

Lathe turning spindle ID

Type: Numeric, Read-only

The $STID variable contains the current lathe turning spindle ID. The ID number of the various available spindles are defined in the QUEST Machine Description / Spindle section “Spindle ID” questions.

The $SYNCOD Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}SYNCOD}$

Merging lathe synchronization code

Type: Numeric, Read/Write

The $SYNCOD variable contains the value of the next synchronization code to be output.

The $SYNINC Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}SYNINC}$

Merging lathe synchronization code increment

Type: Numeric, Read/Write

The $SYNINC variable holds the synchronization code number increment. This increment is added to the last synchronization code to generate a new code. If the increment is zero, synchronization numbering is constant (i.e., the same number is output until $SYNINC is changed).

The $XDIAM Variable

$\textbf{{\char36}XDIAM}$

True if the X axis is in diameter mode

Type: Logical, Read/Write

The $XDIAM variable tracks the radius vs. diameter state of the X axis. The default state is as defined in QUEST. The current state can be changed by setting the $XDIAM system variable to $FALSE for radius output and $TRUE for diameter output, but when doing so the X axis diameter/radius NC codes (if any) will not be output. The state can also be changed via the MODE/DIAMET command.