The RETRCT Command [ML]

This command is used to retract the tool away from the part, along the current tool axis to the clearance surface. The clearance surface must have been defined earlier using the CLEARP or CLRSRF commands. This command is valid for lathes and 3-axis+ mills.

The clearance surface defined most recently remains in effect. If a clearance plane has not been defined, the command is ignored.

If a plane is the current clearance surface, the tool withdraws along the current tool axis direction until the tool tip rests on the clearance plane. If such a position cannot be found or if the retraction feeds into the part being machined, an error message is issued and the command is ignored.

If a cylinder is defined as the clearance surface, the cylinder axis and the current tool axis must be at right angles to each other. The tool is again retracted along the tool axis until the tool tip rests on the cylindrical surface and away from the part surface. If such a retraction point cannot be found, an error message is issued as above.

If a point is defined for the clearance, an imaginary plane is constructed that passes through the point and that is perpendicular to the current tool axis. This will be the retraction plane.

If the retraction point is outside of the machine limits, then retraction proceeds along the tool axis to the specified plane and GENER outputs an error message. For lathes in TURN mode, the retraction is in a positive direction along the machine’s Z axis.

The speed of retraction is based on QUEST responses and can either be at rapid, or at the current feed rate or at a post-processor defined rate.