Address keys
The area of the MDI keypad that allows an operator to enter letters and special characters into the control.
ALARM keys
Keys located on the machine panel that display alarm information for the machine panel. These keys are different from the alarm keys associated with the control panel.
AUTO key
The key on the CNC machine that changes the operation mode to auto. Auto mode allows an operator to call up and execute a part program stored in memory. Auto mode is sometimes called memory mode on some CNC controls.
AUTO mode
The mode that allows an operator to call up and execute a part program stored in the machine.
AUX/GRAPH
A function key located on the MDI keypad that displays the graphics screen.
Axis/direction keys
The area of the machine control that allows an operator to select a specific axis.
BLOCK DELET key
A machine control that provides the option of skipping a predetermined series of program blocks. A block delete allows the operator to run two versions of the same program.
Brackets
[ ]. Punctuation marks used to separate CNC program commands from macro statements.
CAN key
A key located on the MDI keypad that backspaces the cursor to delete the last character entered, and cancels any program block that is highlighted during a block edit.
Control panel
The group of controls on a CNC machine that run, store, and edit the commands of a part program and other coordinate information.
Coolant keys
The area of the CNC machine control that allows an operator to turn the coolant on and off, manually or automatically, during a program cycle.
Cursor keys
The up and down arrow keys located on the MDI keypad that enable an operator to move through various screens and fields in the control, edit and search for CNC programs, and move the cursor through the program or screen options.
Cycle start
The control button used to begin a program or continue a program that has been previously stopped.
Cycle stop
The control button used to pause a program. Also known as feed hold, cycle stop pauses tool feed but does not stop spindle movement.
DGNOS/PARAM
A function key located on the MDI keypad that displays the diagnostics and parameters screens.
Display screen
The main screen of the machine that displays important information for the operator.
DRY RUN key
A key that activates the dry run feature on a CNC machine. The dry run function checks a program quickly without cutting parts.
EDIT key
The key on the CNC machine that changes the operation mode to edit. Edit mode allows an operator to make changes to a part program and store those changes.
EDIT mode
The mode that allows an operator to make changes to a part program and store those changes.
Emergency stop
Used for emergencies only, the control button that automatically shuts down all machine functions.
End-of-block key
EOB. A signal that marks the end of a part program block. An end-of-block signal is represented by a semicolon (;) in a part program.
Execution keys
The area of the CNC machine control that allows an operator to begin or end a part program. The execution keys include CYCLE START and CYCLE STOP.
Feed hold
The control button used to pause a program. Also known as cycle stop, feed hold pauses tool feed but does not stop spindle movement.
Function keys
Keys located on the MDI keypad that enable the operator to choose between different tasks.
HOME key
A key that automatically moves the spindle to the machine zero position. The HOME key is sometimes called the zero return key on some machines.
Input buffer
A temporary location on a computer that holds all incoming information before it continues to the CPU for processing.
Input key
A key located on the MDI keypad that allows an operator to enter data into the input buffer. This key is also used to input data from an input/output unit.
Jog feed
In JOG mode, the continuous movement of a tool in a direction along a selected axis.
JOG key
The area of the machine control that allows an operator to move a selected axis. Jog keys are often called axis direction keys.
Machine function keys
The area of the control panel that allows an operator to perform different functions depending on what display or mode is selected. The machine function keys include SINGL BLOCK, BLOCK DELET, and DRY RUN.
Machine panel
The group of controls on a CNC machine that allow an operator to control machine components manually. Sometimes called the operator panel.
Machine zero
The position located at the farthest possible distance in a positive direction along the machine axes. Machine zero is permanently set for each particular CNC machine.
Manual data input keypad
The MDI keypad is located on the control panel and houses the address, numeric, and navigation keys.
Manual pulse generator
A circular handwheel on a CNC machine that can move a tool incrementally along an axis. On some machines the MPG is known as the "handle."
Manual pulse generator keys
Keys located on the machine panel that allow the operator to move the tool incrementally along an axis.
MDI key
The key on the CNC machine that changes the operation mode to manual data input mode. Manual data input mode lets an operator enter and execute program data without disturbing stored data.
MDI mode
An operation mode that lets an operator enter and execute program data without disturbing stored data.
MPG keys
The keys on the operator panel that control the size of incremental movement of the manual pulse generator.
No. key
A key that allows an operator to enter a numerical value into the input buffer. The SHIFT key must be used with the No. key.
Numeric keys
Keys located on the MDI keypad that allow an operator to enter numbers, a minus sign, and a decimal point into the control. These keys also contain the CAN key, manual JOG arrow keys, the EOB key, the BLOCK DELET, and the right and left cursor move keys.
Offset register
Area of the machine control that holds tool geometry, wear, and work offset settings.
OFSET
A function key located on the MDI keypad that displays tool offsets and settings.
OFSET MESUR key
A key on the CNC machine control panel that allows the operator to determine and set a tool offset. It measures the current coordinate value and the coordinate value of a command, and uses the difference as the offset value. If the offset value is already known, pressing the OFSET MESUR key moves the tool to the specified offset position.
Operation keys
The keys located on the operator panel that allow an operator to move tools and set offsets.
Operation mode keys
The AUTO, EDIT, and MDI keys that change the operation mode of the CNC machine.
Operator panel
The group of controls on a CNC machine that allow an operator to control machine components manually. Sometimes called the machine panel.
OPR/ALARM
A function key located on the MDI keypad that displays the alarm screen.
Output/start key
A key located on the MDI keypad that allows an operator to start an automatic operation and output data into an input/output unit.
Override
A machine control component that adjusts programmed values such as speed and feed rate by a certain percentage during operation.
Over travel check
A safety function that determines if the tool has moved beyond its set boundaries. Forbidden zones can be programmed to specify areas where the tool can and cannot enter.
Page keys
The up and down arrow keys located on the MDI keypad that allow an operator to move through various screens and fields one page at a time.
Parentheses
( ). Curved brackets used to separate program text information from CNC program commands.
Part program
A series of instructions used by a CNC machine to perform the necessary sequence of operations to machine a specific workpiece.
POS
A function key located on the MDI keypad that displays the position screen that shows axis locations.
Power off
The red button on a CNC control panel that shuts off power to the control.
Power on
The green button on a CNC control panel that provides power to the control.
PRGRM
A function key located on the MDI keypad that displays the program screen and blocks of the current part program.
Program edit keys
Keys located on the MDI keypad that allow an operator to alter, insert, or delete data from stored memory.
Program protect switch
A switch located on the machine control panel that allows the operator to secure current program information. The program protect switch prevents accidental or intentional deletion of programs in memory.
Program source keys
The group of keys on the operator panel that control how part programs are used. The AUTO, EDIT, and MDI keys that comprise the program source keys are distinct machine modes.
Rapid traverse
The movement of machine components at the fastest possible rate of travel. Rapid traverse motion merely requires an endpoint for the movement.
Reference position
A fixed position on a machine tool to which the tool can easily be moved by the reference position return function.
Reset key
A key located on the MDI keypad that stops all machine motion and places the program cursor at the top of the current program.
Shift key
A key located on the MDI keypad that allows an operator to access letters and special characters found on the address keys.
SINGL BLOCK key
A key that activates the single block feature on the GE Fanuc 0-C control. The single block function runs the program one block at a time to prove out the program.
Soft keys
Keys located directly below the display screen that have different purposes depending on which function key has been chosen. The function of each soft key is visible on the display screen between brackets.
SP
A key that allows an operator to enter a space when manually entering data.
Spindle jog key
A key located on the machine panel that rotates the spindle incrementally in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
Spindle keys
The area of the CNC machine control that allows the operator to manually control the rotation of the spindle in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. The spindle keys include CW (clockwise) and CCW (counter clockwise), STOP, and JOG.
TEACH key
A key that changes the operation mode of a CNC machine to allow tool positions obtained by manual operation to be stored into memory.
Tool limit switch
The component that prevents a tool from exceeding the set direction limit on an axis. The tool limit switch detects overtravel.
Zero return key
Also known as the home key, zero return automatically moves the spindle to the machine zero position.
