System information

SECTION TWO - FRONT PANEL OPERATION
The Centurion 6 front panel has two 16-key keypads and 12 function keys. The keypads are used
to enter the alphanumeric data requested by the CNC. The upper keypad is used primarily to
enter alpha characters. To enter one of the shifted characters simply press and release the Shift
key then the character. After the character has been entered, the control automatically returns to
the non-shifted character set. Shift also works in the same manner on the lower or numeric
keypad. Spaces between commands are optional when data is entered, but the Enter must be
pushed to end a line of data or to go to the next function. The operation of the 12 function keys
changes as different menus are displayed on the display. The following sections detail each
function key.
The lower section of the panel is dedicated to manual machine cycles. Located on the far left of
the panel is the electronic handwheel, which when turned in the handwheel mode will cause the
selected axis to move. Next to the handwheel are the manual feed controls for the machine's
axes. Turning the feedrate override will modify the current machine feedrate by the indicated
percentage. Pressing the Feedhold button will cause axis motion to stop. To restart axis motion,
press Feedhold again and press the Cycle Start button. The Cycle Start Button needs to be
pressed anytime a machine command is to be executed. Cycle Start will blink when it needs to
be depressed.
The next section of the panel deals with the spindle and coolant controls. The spindle override
switch will modify the current spindle rpm by the selected percentage. If the machine is not
equipped with a variable speed spindle option, the override switch has no effect on the spindle.
The spindle CCW, CW and Stop buttons will override the current control commands giving the
operator full manual override capabilities. The active state of the spindle will be represented by
the illuminated button. The coolant buttons (Mist and Flood) work identically to CW and CCW.
When they are lit, the function is active; however, the coolant will not turn on until the spindle is
started. The Tool Reset button is only active during an M6 command. This button is a safety
interlock, which prevents the spindle from starting during a manual tool change. The button will
start flashing during a tool change and will need to be depressed after the tool change is
completed before program operation can be resumed. The Emergency Stop button, when
pushed, will stop all machine actions instantly. Once Emergency Stop is depressed, the Reset
button will flash indicating that it must be pushed before any machine motion can be performed.
The control is always in an Emergency Stop state after power-on. The following diagram shows
the layout of a Centurion 6 front panel.
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