The APPLY Command [MLEPCS]

The APPLY command is used to switch between different machining modes of a post-processor.

\textbf{APPLY /} \begin{pmatrix} \begin{array}{l} \textbf{CONTUR} \\ \textbf{FLAME} \\ \textbf{LASER} \\ \textbf{MILL} \\ \textbf{PUNCH} \\ \textbf{TURN} \\ \textbf{WEDM} \end{array} \end{pmatrix}

On machines with a single mode of operation, the APPLY command performs no action.

Milling vs. Turning for C Axis Lathes

The APPLY command is used to select the machining mode on composite milling/turning machines.

\textbf{APPLY / MILL } \big[ ,\textbf{CAXIS} \,\big] \; \big[ ,\textbf{YAXIS} \,\big]

\textbf{APPLY / TURN}

By default mill-turn lathes are considered to be in TURN mode at the start of an NC program. The selection of live tooling is done by coding a APPLY/MILL command. Turning mode can be later reinstated by coding APPLY/TURN.

On mill-turn lathes having a Y axis, the APPLY command can also be used to define the axes configuration to be used for milling. If neither CAXIS or YAXIS is specified, then the QUEST defined default configuration is used. If CAXIS is specified alone, then the X and C axes will be used in place of the Y axis during face milling. If YAXIS is specified alone, then the XYZ axes will be used during face milling and the C axis will remain immobile. If both CAXIS and YAXIS are specified, then both will be available. The MODE/POLAR command (see “Polar Interpolation” and “Polar Emulation”) can be used to define the preferred use of C and Y axes during face milling.

Two origins are maintained for mill-turn machining, one for each mode. By default the machine origin is the same as the CL coordinate origin. Coding an ORIGIN command in TURN mode only affects the CL coordinates for TURN mode. A separate ORIGIN is necessary for MILL mode. The ORIGIN commands are modal for a given mode (i.e., they do not have to be repeated each time a turn or mill mode is reselected).

The XYZ CL coordinates in MILL mode refer to the machine XYZ axes. If the Y axis is not available or disabled, Y positions are converted automatically into C and X axis positions. If the CL file includes tool axis information, then the machine can be programmed as a 4 axis mill.

In TURN mode, the XYZ CL axes are not parallel to the machine axes. They correspond to those of a regular lathe and therefore depend on the type of lathe; horizontal or vertical.

Punching vs. Contouring

The APPLY command is used to select the machining mode on composite punch/contouring machines. This command syntax is only valid on punch presses with a contouring attachment

\textbf{APPLY / PUNCH}

\textbf{APPLY /} \begin{pmatrix} \begin{array}{l} \textbf{CONTUR} \\ \textbf{FLAME} \\ \textbf{LASER} \end{array} \end{pmatrix}

The first command sets the machine in punch mode. The second command applies to machines with a laser or flame cutting attachment. Any of the three keywords CONTUR, FLAME or LASER sets the machine in contouring mode.

Composite Machines

The APPLY command is used to activate a post-processor component of a composite post-processor. Each time the APPLY command requests a change of an active component, a series of actions takes place. First, the machine shutdown macro of the active component is executed. Then the active post-processor is saved and the new one is loaded into memory. Finally, the machine startup macro of the newly loaded component is executed.

\textbf{ APPLY / } \mathit{designator}

\textbf{ APPLY / } \mathit{designator,} \, \mathit{regular\_APPLY\_syntax}

The first form of the command will activate the specified component.

The second form of the command can be used when there is a conflict between regular form of the APPLY command and composite component selection. For example:

APPLY/TURN,MILL,CAXIS

The above command activates the TURN composite component. This component is a mill-turn post-processor and it will be put in MILL mode using the CAXIS as soon as it is activated.