Introduction: DMS Controller and Display Panel

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This lesson goes over the DMS Router's controls and displays so that you may best understand control the machine while it is cutting your material.

Step 1: Controller

  1. The controller is where you will run the router.
  2. Screen Letter keys
  3. Number keys
  4. Function keys
    • These keys select the on-screen option directly above the key.
  5. Jog controls
  6. Feed Rate Override
  7. Cycle Start & Feed Hold buttons
  8. Mode switch
  9. Emergency reset button
  10. E-stops
    • One on the console
    • Two on the machine chassis
    • One on the pendant
  11. Blast gate switch

Step 2: Jog Controls

To enter jog mode, press jog (F4) from the main menu.

There are four controls related to jogging.

  1. Jog Increment Selector
    • Rotate the dial to select how far the head will jog for each button push.
    • The numbers represent 0.0001"
    • 1 = 0.0001" and 10000 = 1"
    • The wavy line all the way to the right selects continuous jog.
  2. Axis buttons
    • Press the axis button to move that direction in the selected increment.
    • In continuous jog mode, the head will move as long as the button is down.
  3. Rapid button
    • The head will move faster while the button is held down.
  4. Feed Rate Override
    • Changes the feed rate - between 0 and 120%

Step 3: G53 and G54

Coordinates are displayed in inches.

G53 is the Machine Coordinate System (Machine Home).

  • When the machine is in G53 mode the displayed coordinates are measured from the upper left corner of the machine.

G54 is the Work Coordinate System (Work Home).

  • When the machine is in G54 mode the displayed coordinates are measured from the corner of your work (or wherever you set X, Y & Z).

To change modes from the main menu

  • Press Jog and MDI to enter MDI mode.
  • Type G53 or G54 & press Cycle Start.

Step 4: Moving the Head in MDI Mode

From main menu, press Jog & MDI to enter MDI mode.

In the MDI mode, you can enter a coordinate for the machine to travel to.

  1. Axis (X, Y, Z, B or C)[coordinate].
  2. Set Feed Rate override to 0.
    • Be especially careful using MDI commands in Z.
  3. Cycle Start.
  4. Slowly increase feed rate.

You must be aware of what system (G53 or G54) you are in. The machine will move to the coordinates for the current system.

Example:

  • X3 Cycle Start
    • Will cause the head to move to X3. The other axes will not move.
  • X5.125 Cycle Start Y-2 Cycle Start
    • Will cause the head to move to X5.125, Y-2. The other axes will not move.

Step 5: Dust Collection

The spindle dust collector captures dust and chips at the spindle. It is a custom fiberglass shroud that can be controlled with "flood coolant" commands in the CAM program.

  • Use the dust collector shroud (coolant on) for any tool longer than 3 1/2", measured from the bottom of the spindle.
    • The shroud gets in the way of shorter tools, so keep it open (coolant off).
  • To manually open the shroud, enter M66 & press Cycle Start from the MDI menu.
  • To manually close the shroud, enter M65 & press Cycle Start from the MDI menu.

If working from the Pier 9 workshop, the woodshop dust collector must be used whenever the DMS is in operation.

  1. Start the dust collector in the woodshop.
  2. Place the "Dust Collector in Use by DMS" sign on the woodshop dust collector switch.
  3. Open the Blast Gate switch on the DMS controller.