Specifications

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Southwestern Industries, Inc.
TRAK LPM Programming, Safety, & Operating Manual
File extensions are part of filenames that help describe the file. They appear after the
filename and are composed of three letters following a period. For example, .doc is the
extension that appears after a file name for a file stored using Microsoft Word™.
Usually, but not always, the file name indicates what program was used to create the file.
Sometimes this is not the case. Some programs, like those found in early models of
CNC, do not attach a file extension to a file name at all. Also, a user may attach his own
extension to a file name for his own purposes. Here are the file types that are supported
on the ProtoTRAK PMX:
MX3 – From legacy 2½ axis ProtoTRAK products, such as the ProtoTRAK MX3, M3,
AGE3, and QMV.
PT4 – From previous models of our ProtoTRAK controls, the SM, VM, and SMX.
PT7 – New to the ProtoTRAK PMX control. This is similar to the PT4 structure, but also
adds to it notes, pictures, and new event types specific to the PMX control.
PTM – Also new to the ProtoTRAK PMX, this file type represents a Master program,
which can be up to 4 programs combined to run in sequence. See section 14.3.1 on how
to create a Master program.
CAM - Open a g-code file as a CAM file in order to convert the program into our event
structure. From there you gain the advantage of being able to quickly edit the program
using our user interface. This is ideal for smaller g-code files that are running 2½ axis
work. Any g-code type that is not recognized will be ignored. See section 14.13 for
more on CAM files.
GCD – Opening a g-code file as a GCD file will skip the conversion process, and run the
g-code as is. This saves system resources and allows you to run larger g-code files, as
well as running full 3 axis work. The program can be edited in our G-Code Edit page.
For more on GCD file types, see section 14.11.
PTG – Another new file type to the ProtoTRAK PMX, this represents a GCD program
that also has notes, pictures, and fixture offsets saved along with it for future use.
DXF and DWG – These file types represent graphic drawings made from CAD software.
Although they may look like the part you wish to cut and have accurate dimensions, they
still lack toolpath information (such as spindle speed, feedrate, tool info, direction of cut,
etc). Consult your DXF manual for more on how to use the DXF converter.
14.1 Softkey Selections in the Program In/Out Mode
YES: to display only supported programs.
NO: to display all files.
OPEN: to bring a program from storage into the current memory.
SAVE: to save the program that is in current memory to storage.
COPY: to select and make a copy of a file in storage for pasting in another storage
location.
DELETE: to remove a file from a storage location without altering the current memory.
RENAME: to rename a file or folder.
BACK UP: to perform a convenient back up of program files to another storage location.