Lathe Variables

$E	Thread lead (<=0:?) Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This 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).

$EV	Thread variable lead (–ve:DECR, 0:no, +ve:INCR) Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This 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).

$HEAD

Current lathe head (MAIN or SIDE) Type: Keyword, Read-only

This 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.

$LTHMOD

Lathe machining mode (0:TURN,1:MILL) Type: Numeric, Read-only

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

$MERGE

True if in head merging mode Type: Logical, Read-only

This 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.

$MULTRD

Number of thread starts Type: Numeric, Read/Write

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

$PITCH

Thread pitch Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This 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.

$PITCHV

Thread variable pitch Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This 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.

$SHEAD

Merging lathe spindle controlled by (<1:? 1:MAIN 2:SIDE) Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This 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.

$SMID

Lathe milling spindle ID Type: Numeric, Read/only

This 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.

$SPINDLE

Current lathe spindle active Type: Keyword, Read/Write

This 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.

$STID

Lathe turning spindle ID Type: Numeric, Read/only

This 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.

$SYNCOD

Merging lathe synchronization code Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This variable contains the value of the next synchronization code to be output.

$SYNINC

Merging lathe synchronization code increment Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This 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).

$XDIAM

True if the X axis is in diameter mode Type: Logical, Read/Write

This 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.