Continuous Path Motion Commands

The motion statements discussed earlier are suitable only for point-to-point programming. The number of statements for continuous path motion is more complex. These can be used for either milling or turning operations.

Part Surface

The part surface is an important surface that generally controls the depth of cut and, therefore, need to be specified either implicitly or explicitly for each motion statement. However, many a times it is going to be the same, and hence an explicit definition as shown below is generally used in most cases.

PSIS/ PL1       Part surface is. The part surface is explicitly defined as PL1

AUTOPS          Automatic part surface (current Z level). Part surface is considered as attached to the tip of the tool and  parallel to the XY-plane. So it is automatically redefined when the tool moves along the Z-axis.

NOPS               No part surface

In order to carryout the contour motion, the tool from wherever it is should be first brought in close contact with the surface (drive surface) on which it will be moving. This will be achieved by the use of GO command. In order to specify the motion, it is also necessary to specify the manner in which the tool needs to be positioned with respect to the particular surface. There are three possible modes (TO, ON or PAST)