Hi,

I am a new student learning CNC programming/machining. I am working on a Bridgeport Interact 412 VMC with the Heidenhain TNC 151 controller, and using MasterCam Version 8. So far everything is going well, except for one problem.

The manual says that the Heidenhain has two running modes. One mode is “Program run 1-block,” (top row, middle button) meaning that it will run one block of code at one time. In order to advance to the next line of code, I will have to push the “cycle start” button. This I understand.

The other mode is “Program run-full sequence,” (top row, 2nd button from right) meaning that it “should” run the complete file by pushing the “cycle start” button only once.

My problem is that when I upload the file into the Heidenhain controller, and then go to the “Program run-full sequence” mode, I still have to manually push the “cycle start” button each time so it can go to the next line of code. According to the manual, it is supposed to run though all the lines automatically. It seems like it is running in the “run 1-block” mode all the time.

I have also noticed that when the file is uploaded into the controller, the program lines start at #0 (Begin PGM 100), and then there is a big gap and the program begins much later (around line 70-or so depending on the program). I tried to delete the extra gap, but the controller will not allow me to do so.

If I were to go to “Program-full sequence” and upload directly from the computer, the machine will run perfectly, but the down side is that the file is not stored into the Heidenhain controller. It must be uploaded every time. In this mode, I also notice that the code starts at line 100 (instead of 0) and it goes straight through to the end (without any gaps). The machine works perfectly this way.

I was thinking maybe I am using the wrong post-processor? Or there might be some kind of setting on the Heidenhain that I don’t know about?

I do also have a picture of the Heidenhain controller buttons available.

I really appreciate any help you can provide.

Thank you in advance!
Larry