[FFWD]

Hey guys. I hope I have the correct forum for this question.

I have three complete and running programs. I want to combine these into one large program.

It needs to run like this:

Program #1
Program #2
Program #2
Program #2
Program #3

Any ideas on how I can accomplish this without using gobs of memory? Copying and pasting the three different programs into the configuration it needs to go above does not interest me when I know there is a better, more effective solution.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! I know that some sort of subprogram/subroutine call out could be used...just not sure of the "rules" to abide to in this case. I'm also generating the NC code with CAM software for all of the programs mentioned above, so the less modification I have to do with the post, the better.

I have a old 4020 machine with CNC88 controller...Format 2.

Thanks!

[denmar]

01*MAIN PROGRAM
G0G90S1200M3X0Y0E1
1)0M98P2L1
2)M98P3L1
3)M98P4L1
4)M2
line 1 calls prog #1 once
line 2 calls prog #2 once
so and so.
At the end of each sub program instead of M2, insert M99 it will go back to Prog#1 and execute the next line (program)
At end of Prog #1 insert M2.

[FFWD]

Hmm...I'm not sure about that one....nor even fully understand what you just said.

My thoughts would have it go like this:

L100
<Insert Program #1 here>
M17
L200
<Insert Program #2 here>
M17
L300
<Insert Program #3 here>
M17
M30

Then proceed with...

L101
L203
L301
M99

Is this correct thinking??

[Techman]

Both are correct. The first example is format 2, and the second example is format 1. The first example will run in format 1 or 2, but I'm not so sure about example 2 runinnig in format 2.
Whew! That was alot of explaining. I need more coffee!
Jim