To check
your machine's current software version:
press the "CTRL" and "V" keys simultaneously.
Software
Version 3.35
CadPath
CadPath
is used to convert a spline program into short (point
to point) line segments. The program no longer has to
calculate spline information "on the fly"; enabling it
to exceed the 200 IPM maximum spline feed rate and
can now also use length compensation.
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Software
Version 3.39
Partial
NC Reset Warning
Allowing
a partial NC reset gives the 91000 SuperControl great
flexibility, however most of the time a partial NC reset
was not intended and an operator may inadvertently cause
the machine to perform something not intended. This feature
prompts the operator and warns him of the situation.
If they indeed wanted a partial NC reset they may accept
it or if not they may cancel and perform the proper full
reset
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Software
Version 3.45
Spline
Code
Spline
Code has been dramatically enhanced to allow for a more predictable
trajectory of motion when working with rotary axes. The software
now uses both the system pivot distance and the active tool
length to achieve a true pivot distance value for spline
calculations.
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Software
Version 3.70
Probe
Scanning Auto-Save
The
software prompts for a file name before any type of auto
scanning is started and automatically saves at the end of
the scan. This helps eliminate the possibility of losing
a file because of operator error or power outage after a
scan is completed.
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Software
Version 4.00
New
Operator Screen Layout
This
new layout utilizes high-resolution graphics for better readability
and appearance. Screen space has been enhanced to display
more valuable program information than before.
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Software
Version 4.03
Graphic
Error Display
This
feature is used to help identify the cause of an E-Stop error
that may have occurred. A simple message outlining the problem
is displayed at the top of the screen along with a graphic
representation of the problem and its location on the machine.
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Software
Version 4.15
Service
Clock System
The
Service Clock assures the timely and necessary maintenance
of all serviceable parts on a machine. It tells the operator
via a message on the main menu button that service is needed
on a machine part. After pressing the button, the Service Clock
displays a picture of the part to be maintained along with
its location in red on the machine.
3-D
Rotary Helix Support
Added
support for 3-dimensional rotary helixes and multiple rotary
axes commands within all helical arcs (2-D and 3-D).
Improved
File Overwrite Protection
This
protects against file loss due to accidental file overwrite,
erase, new part creation, etc.
Hand-Held
Block Stop
The
Hand-Held Programmer now allows the operator to perform
a Block Stop away from the control. By pressing the "Jog" key
on the Hand-Held Programmer, a Block Stop is performed,
and program execution is halted.
Label
Quantity Increase
Maximum
label quantity has been increased from 99 to 1000.
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Software
Version 4.25
Relative
Angle Movement (Axis 0)
Provides
an easy method to program a 5 axis machine with rotary
4th and 5th axis to plunge on an angle or compound angle
without the use of trigonometry to calculate the move.
Axis zero (0) is designated as the relative movement axis
and when commanded to move a given distance will move all
the axes necessary to make the router travel in the direction
it is pointing.
3-Point
Arc
The
3-Point Arc conversion has been improved for working with
rotary axis helical arcs. The SuperControl now keeps the
rotary axis in the block of code after conversion, eliminating
the need to tab to the line and add them later.
Length
Compensation for Arcs
Length
Compensation now supports Arcs, 3-D Arcs and all Helical
Arcs.
Length
Compensation Display On/Off
The
upper left corner of the screen now displays whether Length
Compensation is On (active) or Off (inactive).
Length
Compensation "On the Fly"
If
a program is stopped via Block Stop and a tool table change
is made to the currently active tool, the SuperControl
now automatically adjusts to the new values upon a restart.
Tool
Holder/Turret Number Display
The
screen now displays the active Tool Holder or Turret Number
and enables operators to see at a glance what tool should
be in the router spindle.
Dual
Table Pulse Wheel Programming
Operators
may now use the Pulse Wheel of the Hand-Held Programmer
directly to program on the second table of a dual table
machine.
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Software
Version 4.39
AFL
Variables Increase
The
number of AFL variables has increased from 256 to 384.
New
Arc Creation Feature
Allows
arc centers to be defined in absolute while programming.
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Thermwood
99
Tool
Management System
The
Tool Management System was created to simplify the management
of the spindle types (actuators), tool changers and tools on
a machine. As the systems on individual machines became more
diversified, tooling macros grew larger and more complex, and
executed slower. Tool Management solves this problem by providing
a central "fill in the blank" type of program that allows the
configuration of actuators, tool changers and the tools themselves.
This can drastically improve tool change times. Tool Management
especially benefits turret style tool change machines, which
now can rotate the turret, reconfigure parameters for the new
tool and index simultaneously. Operators use the Tool Setup
screen to assign each tool to an actuator, actuator position,
tool changer and tool changer position. The Thermwood Control
automatically enters the rest. The Tool Management System allows
tools 1-999 to be used on all machines. In other words, any
tool number can now be assigned to any actuator. Also, more
than one tool number can be associated with the same actuator.
Examples: The Main Router on a standard machine is not limited
to tool 101. The Turret will no longer be restricted to tools
141-156. The fifty (50) tool changer will not be restricted
to tools 1-50.
3-D
Circle Macros for 5 Axis Machines
Macros
designed to automatically plunge into the middle of the
circle, move to twelve o-clock in a straight line, complete
a 360 degree circle, move back to the center of the circle
and then retract out to the same location it was at before
performing the circle.
Quick
Shutdown
Perform
a quick system shutdown, safe and easily. Simply press "alt-Q" simultaneously.
Pointer
Misalignment Message
This
message prompts the operator and warns of misalignment.
If a block stop is performed after start is pushed and
then the cursor is manually moved from the current location
and not put back before the start, block step +, or block
step - are pushed again, it will warn of the misalignment.
World
Coordinate Program Values (G79)
This
new G-code is very similar to G90, except that is always
references machine Home regardless of any active G92, G51,
G54, G52L# or G53L#.
Part
Coordinate Set (G51)
This
redefines part zero relative to machine Home. It doesn't
perform any machine motions, and cancels any previous G51
or active G92, G54, G52L# or G53L#. Example: G51 X# Y#
Fixture
Offset (G52L#)
G52L#
redefines part zero relative to machine Home. It doesn't
perform any machine motions, and references values stored
in the fixture table (which may contain up to 100 separate
fixture locations).
Fixture
Offset (G53L#)
The
G53L# redefines part zero relative to machine Home. It
performs an interpolated motion to the values stored in
the fixture table using the last active feed rate, and
cancels any previous G53L# or any active G92, G51, G54,
G52L#.
Tool
Offset (G54)
This
G-code incrementally adjusts the current G92, G51, G52L#
or G53L# by the values stated. The G54 values are defined
by imagining the distance and axis direction needed to
get from the main tool to the secondary tool. It does not
perform any machine motions.
Timer
Subprogram
Timer
Subprograms work by placing a subprogram at the beginning
of the program to mark the starting point and then placing
a subprogram at the end marking the stopping point. The
exact time will be measured within one second of accuracy
and displayed on the SuperControl monitor.
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Thermwood
2000
Part
Program Variable Color Display:
The
Thermwood part program display area now allows separate colors
to be set to individual Letter Codes (X, Y, G, M, etc.) and
Comment lines within the current file loaded. This can make
specific codes stand out and easier to distinguish. Operator
can set individual colors from a list of 16. Colors do not
display during run mode. (Some colors may conflict with
background colors)
Rapid
Traverse Teaching Capability:
The
SuperControl now allows "G00" Rapid Traverse motions to
be entered directly from the Hand Held Programmer. To enter
a move as a rapid traverse use the normal line teach function,
but instead of just pressing the enter key, press Shift
+ Speed + Enter and the move will automatically be entered
as a rapid traverse move (G00).
Rapid
Traverse By-Pass Code:
M48
and M49. When M48 is executed it allows control over G00
motions with the Feed Rate Override knob. The M48 causes
rapid traverse lines to move at normal G01 acceleration
rates but always at top machine speed. The M49 or a HOME
routine sets this back to standard, where G00 moves are
not affected by the Feed Rate Override and move at high
acceleration rates. This feature is very useful for proofing
programs. Gives you control over rapid moves via the Feed
Rate Override Knob without having to modify all lines that
are assigned to rapid traverse within a part program.
Real
Time Tool Life Monitoring:
Tool
life is now more accurate than the previous method. With
the new system the SuperControl will only reduce the life
of the active tool if machine motion is detected and the
spindle is on (if detectable).
Tool
Life Wear Factor:
This
feature allows the programmer to force the tool life to
diminish at a faster rate. This is useful for programs
that may use the same tool to cut a multitude of different
materials. For example, a tool may last longer machining
oak vs. walnut and the tool life is set for the max life
for oak. So, if it is determined that walnut wears the
tool 1.5 times faster then oak, then the following syntax
can be placed into the part program to adjust the wear
factor. Syntax: [WEARFAC 1.5].
Automatic
Tool Substitution Feature:
This
feature is designed for tool changing machines. It allows
the programmer to set a substitute tool to be called automatically
once the life has expired on the main tool used. When a
tool is called the SuperControl checks if this tool's life
is expired, if it is it will automatically call the next
tool assigned as a substitute for the called tool, as long
as its life is not expired as well. The only limit to the
number of substitute tools that can be set is the capacity
of the tool changer itself.
Tool
Management System (5-Axis):
Tool
Management System now implemented for 5-axis machines.
Full
Label Scan Capability:
The
SuperControl now has the capability to scan entire programs
for labels. This allows extremely large programs that contain
labels to execute.
Vertical
Axis Clearance Motion Suppression:
It
is now possible to inhibit the "Z" axis clearance motion
when changing from one tool to another on the same actuator.
The system automatically raises the 'Z" axis to the full
up, HOME position when you change from one tool to another
to assure clearance. In some cases, you may not need this,
for example a dual spindle horizontal drill. When you change
from drilling with one end of the spindle to other, it
may not be necessary to perform the clearance motion. It
is now possible to inhibit this clearance motion in these
instances. Requires the following syntax !No_Z_Up! to
be entered into the Description field of the tool setup
screen.
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Software
Version 5.05
Click
Here for SuperControl 5.05 release information
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