Programming instructions
 ADT-CNC4620 Programming Manual 
- 2 - 
1.2. Definition of coordinate axis 
CNC machine tool is shown in Fig. 1-2-1 
Tailstock seat Principal axis seat Tool  Too holder 
Fig. 1-2-1 
The system uses the right angle coordinate system constituted with X axis and Z axis. X axis is 
vertical to the principal axis, and Z axis is parallel to the principal axis. The direction to the 
workpiece is negative, and the direction from the workpiece is positive. 
According to the relative position of the tool holder and principal axis of the machine tool, CNC 
lathe has front tool holder and rear tool holder. Same programming instruction has different motion 
tracks in front tool holder and rear tool holder. This system can be used in the front tool holder and 
rear tool holder of the CNC lathe. Seen from the figures below, the X directions of front and rear 
tool holder coordinate systems are different, while the Z direction is same. The figures and 
examples in this manual use front tool holder coordinate system to describe the application of 
programming. 
Fig. 1-2-2 Front tool holder coordinate system Fig. 1-2-3 Rear tool holder coordinate system 
1.3. Machine tool coordinate system and mechanical home 
Machine tool coordinate system is the reference of CNC for coordinate calculation, and is the 
intrinsic coordinate system of the machine tool. The origin of the machine tool coordinate system is 
mechanical reference or mechanical home. 
Mechanical home is determined by the zero switch or home switch on the machine tool, which are 
usually installed at the maximum travel in positive direction of X axis and Z axis. For mechanical 
home operation, the system will set current machine tool coordinates to 0 after returned to 










