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Section Section 8 8 GlossaryGlossary
8181
8. Glossary
Backlash - The amount of motor movement that occurs without table movement when
changing directions. This is usually due to the amount of “slop” between the nut and the
screw in the drive system.
Baud Rate - The speed at which LC communicates across the serial port with the Controller.
It is measured in bits per second and is typically set at 38,400.
Buffer Time - The Buffer Time is used to prevent system events from affecting motor
movement. The larger the Buffer Time, the less effect system events have on motor
movement. The smaller the Buffer Time, the more responsive the machine tool is to
mouse clicks.
Stepper Motor Driver - The electronic box that converts step and direction signals from the
Controller into a sequence of amplified signals to drive a stepper motor.
Controller - The electronic box that converts computer commands into step and direction
signals for input into a Stepper Motor Driver. It also interprets input signals and creates
output signals to control various peripheral devices.
CNC Setup Parameters - LC settings that are unique to each machine tool. You can set
these settings in the Machine Tool Setup, Feedrate/Ramping Setup, System Options, and
Import Setup dialog boxes. The coordinate display mode is also a CNC Setup Parameter.
All of these settings are saved in a setup file.
Command Buttons - Buttons which perform a certain task when chosen.
DXF - Document Exchange Format. Defined by AutoDesk Inc. as a way to exchange CAD
files between different CAD, CAM or CAE programs.
Feedrate - The linear speed of the cutting tool relative to the workpiece. Defined in G-Code
by the F parameter in inches/minute.
Full-Step - Step mode where one step from the controller corresponds to one full step of the
motor.
G-Code - Standard programming language used to control a CNC machine.
Gear Ratio - The ratio of the number of stepper motor revolutions to drive screw revolutions
due to any gears or pulleys between them.
Half-Step - Step mode where two steps from the controller correspond to one full step of the
motor.
Jog - Method of manually controlling the motors of the machine tool on any axis in any
direction.
Limit Switches - Switches placed at the end of travel of each axis. When the machine tool
table travels too far in either direction of any axis, a limit switch is tripped, which will
shut down the system to prevent damage.
Machine Coordinates - The XYZ position of the tool on the CNC Machine relative to
Machine Zero.
Machine Origin - Same as Machine Zero.
Machine Tool Envelope - The three dimensional box defined by the maximum travel in the
X, Y and Z axis. Once the machine tool envelope is defined, the tool cannot move
Section