Glossary

A-axis: The axis of rotation about the X-axis.
AM: An acronym for “additive manufacturing”. Icam supports additive material deposition on AM or hybrid AM machines.
AppData: An acronym for “application data”. This is a root directory (or folder) in which application specific data are stored. The application data is generally separated from installation data, so that user customizations are not affected when the application software is upgraded or uninstalled.
APT: (Automatically Programmed Tools) A computer language used to program NC machines. CAM systems almost universally generate a simplified variation of APT as a CLDATA file describing the NC program requirements.
aptsource: An APT-like file generated by a CAM system. Icam Post reads aptsource files and internally converts them to binary CLDATA.
B-axis: The axis of rotation about the Y-axis.
block: A line of code in the MCD file.
C-axis: The axis of rotation about the Z axis.
Cartesian coordinates: The coordinates of a point measured along the X, Y and Z axes.
canned cycles: A single command used to perform repetitive functions.
CERUN: The cerun command line executes the CERUN module.
CL coordinates: The coordinate system used in the CLDATA file.
CLDATA, CL data, CL file: A cutter location, a centerline, or a cutter line file contains a program describing the tool path to machine a workpiece. Also known as aptsource. This program is then post-processed.
CL record: A post-processor command or motion data in a CL file.
console: One of the trace windows within the GENER and CERUN full interace where messages are displayed to the user.
controller: The controller is a part of the CNC machine responsible for executing the NC code into machine motions.
coordinate system: The machine’s work space may be defined by a rectangular coordinate system. The X,Y,Z axes allow for motion points to be defined.
database: By default, the Virtual Machine database file is called campost.dbf and resides in icam_appdata\work.
dump file: Database dump files are replicas of the information stored in the Virtual Machine database. The dump file (.DMP) is a binary file containing one or more models.
environment variables: Environment variables (also called system variables) are key platform variables that control software behavior. For example, icam_dbf defines the location of the Virtual Machine database.
extending axis: This is the quill: a linear axes located between a rotary head axis and the tool.
G code: This letter address specifies preparatory functions of the machine. MCD is sometimes called G-Code. See also M code.
GENER: The gener command line executes the GENER module.
generate function: The generate function saves the model in the Virtual Machine database, in a form that can be used with GENER and CERUN.
generated model: Is a model that has been generated successfully.
head: A head refers to a removable head attachment that holds tools at some angle, or that extends the reach or spindle RPM of tools.
high speed machining: HSM implies faster than normal cutting, often requiring specialized controllers, machines, tooling and cutting fluids.
home position: The home position or reference point, zero return or grid zero is used to provide a good starting point for each axis.
HSM: HSM is an acronym for High Speed Machining.
ISO: The International Standards Organization is a worldwide federation of national standards.
LCS: LCS is an acronym for Local Coordinate System. Controls with an LCS feature can define an alternate frame of reference for workpiece coordinates.
left hand rule: Using your left hand, point your thumb in the direction of the vector; your fingers curl in the direction of positive rotation. See also right hand rule.
linear axis: An axis producing motion of the tool with a constant tool axis orientation.
m3d file: The verification setup file that stores Virtual Machine object definitions in an Icam proprietary format.
M code: This letter address specifies miscellaneous functions of the machine. See also G code
machine coordinates: The coordinate system defined on the CNC machine.
macro: This is a way to customize the model using an APT-like language.
macro debugger: The macro debugger is a tool included with GENER and CERUN to aid in the development of model macros.
macro system variables: Macro system variables are variables that can be accessed or set during a macro. These variables contain information on past, current and future processing.
major word: Traditionally major words are 2000 class records but other class records do exist. The major word is the first parameter (word) in the post-processor command. Example: SPINDL/350,RPM,CLW where the SPINDL word is the major word. See also minor word.
MCD: Machine control data, also know as NC code or G code, is CNC program code in the form of 8-track tapes or files.
minor word: Using the major word example, the minor word would consist of any word following the major word. Thus RPM and CLW would classify as minor words. See also major word.
modal: A condition that remains in effect until it is changed.
NA: Short for “not applicable”.
NC code: G, M and other codes necessary for CNC machine operation.
NC file: A file containing an entire NC code program.
non-generated model: A model file that has been saved but not generated.
nutating axis: A rotary head or table axis, normally mounted at an angle of 45 degrees, connected to a second rotary head or table axis. A nutating axis, or nutator, can orient the tool to any position within a hemisphere.
offset: An adjustment made to the tool path to compensate for tool dimensions.
origin: The origin is the location from which the coordinates are taken. In CNC terminology, the origin may be called program zero, work zero, part zero or part origin.
point: A position in space defined in Cartesian coordinates as (x,y,z).
Polar coordinates: The coordinates of a point in a plane, measured as its Cartesian distance from the origin and an angle from the X axis to a line joining the point to the origin. Polar interpolation normally uses the machine X axis to define the distance and the machine C axis to define the angle.
post-processor command: A post-processor command is a single major word or a major word in combination with minor words and numerical parameters. Example: SPINDL/350,RPM,CLW. The post-processor command gives specific motion or preparatory functions in APT.
PSE: PSE is an acronym for post-process / simulate / emulate. This term describes the unique Icam functionality that combines Icam Post post-processing, Virtual Machine simulation, and Control Emulator MCD based verification, all within a single session.
QUEST: The quest command line executes the QUEST module.
questionnaire function: The questionnaire function is the module that asks for all the information about your machine and control necessary to operate it.
quill: This is the extending axes: a linear axes located between a rotary head axis and the tool.
register: A register is letter address representing functions of the controller.
register format: The register’s format is defined by a string that includes the register name and various formatting options. For example: ‘X4.4’ where ‘X’ is the register name and the numeric format is 4 decimal positions before and after the punched decimal point.
resolution: A register’s resolution is the minimum numeric step of the actual register value to increase or decrease.
right hand rule: Using your right hand, point your thumb in the direction of the vector; your fingers curl in the direction of positive rotation. See also left hand rule.
rotary axis: An axis producing motion of the tool with a changing tool axis. Typically an A, B or C-axis.
RTCP: Rotating Tool Center Point (RTCP) is a feature of advanced CNC controls, which compute rotary axis pivot offsets and linearization requirements in the CNC control, instead of in the post-processor. With RTCP, XYZ coordinate data and feed rate calculations are output at the tool tip and not the control point of the machine as is the traditional case. The most significant benefits of RTCP are the ability to perform tool length and diameter compensation with the head tilted at some angle to the machine XYZ axes. Other benefits include shorter and simpler programs since they do not include linearization steps and simpler feed rate calculations since the rotary component of the motion is not included in the feed calculation.
STL: Stereo lithography file; represents an object by defining its “skin” as a mesh of triangles.
system variables: System variables (also called environment variables) are key platform variables that control software behavior. For example, icam_dbf defines the location of the Virtual Machine database.
tape file: A file with the extension (.tap). This file is output after post-processing and it contains the MCD for a machine. Few machines today use 8 track paper tape, but the term “tape” is still commonly used to describe MCD.
tool path: The tool path is the given direction of the cutting tool.
vector: In CNC terminology, a vector is used as a qualifier of direction. For example: a tool may have a vector of (i,j,k) where i,j,k represents the direction of the tool.
vsw file: The verification setup file that stores Virtual Machine part-program specific settings.
words manager: The words manager panel can be accessed through the tools drop down menu in the questionnaire. It provides the user the ability to modify the standard ISO major and minor words list.
work subdirectory: The icam_appdata\work subdirectory normally contains the Virtual Machine database file.