PRACTICAL TIP – Rewrite old PAL programs for the PAL2020
September 2022
With the PAL2020 reform, some of the commands in the PAL coding were changed. The commands were changed so that programs written after PAL2008 or PAL2012 will no longer run and lead to any error messages in the newer PAL2020 simulators (or PAL2020 C/Y or PAL2020 3+2). This means that you have to rewrite the program blocks almost completely – and that takes time.
A faster way to do this is to use the “Find/Replace” trick:
This trick works when “translating” PAL2008 or PAL2012 commands to PAL2020, because there is a simple mapping between old and new here. Below, we will briefly touch on how you can rewrite the cycles more easily. You need this, for example, for the piercing cycles in turning, which are still called G86 or G88, but have many new or changed cycles.
Step 1
Open the program, which you have already programmed in an older PAL coding, in the “PAL2020” mode. You will then get the following message: “The NC program is faulty!” Delete this message by pressing “F10”. The last block that does not correspond to the PAL2020 coding is now marked in the editor. In the example (exercise program “LAGER3” from the workbook “Plane Swivel”): “N65 G17 CR180 AR90”. Here (and in many other places in the program) G17 must be replaced by G15.
Step 2
Now select the “Search/Replace” function using “F1” and enter “G17” in the “Search for” field and “G15” in the “Replace with” field:
Click on “Replace All” to replace “G17” with “G15” in the entire document. Finally, accept this edit with “F10”.
Step 3
Subsequently, in our example, the line “N45 G48 G40 R10 Z0” is marked as incorrect, because after PAL2020 the commands for tangential approach and departure have also changed. Replace them according to the same principle: “G48 G40 R” becomes “G40 G46 RR”. And then “G41 G45 D” = “G41 G45 DL”.
Step 4
For the training program “LAGER3” all necessary replacements are done with it, and you can use “F7 Editor” to switch back to the “guided mode”. There you can simulate the program using “F9” and finally save the changed program with for example the name extension “2020”.
A complete table with a comparison between “PAL2008/PAL2012” and “PAL2020” (as of summer 2022) can be found at the very bottom of this post.
Rewrite Cycles:
This is not quite as simple as the PAL commands. But with this little trick, you will surely save some effort:
Step 1
Start by commenting out the “old” cycle blocks in the editor. Then program the cycle blocks again in the guided mode (“F7 Editor”). Note that commenting out changes the line numbering (which affects jumps with G23), since pure comment lines have no line numbers. To avoid this, write the previous cycle as a comment after a regular (innocuous) NC block. This will then look for example like this:
N28 M1 ; G86 X60 Z-55 ET54 EB6 RO-0.5
Step 2
After you have changed the cycle set, just delete this comment again.
To learn more practical tips, please visit KELLER.News on our website or visit the KELLER YouTube channel KELLER-YouTube-Kanal.
PAL2008/PAL2012 | PAL2020 | Meaning | Where is it found? |
G41 G45 D | G41 G45 DL | Linear tangential approach | Milling and Turning with driven tools |
G42 G45 D | G42 G45 DL | Linear tangential approach | Milling and Turning with driven tools |
G40 G46 D | G40 G45 DL | Linear tangential departure | Milling and Turning with driven tools |
G41 G47 R | G41 G46 RR | Tangential approach on a quarter circle | Milling and Turning with driven tools |
G42 G47 R | G42 G46 RR | Tangential approach on a quarter circle | Milling and Turning with driven tools |
G48 G40 R | G40 G46 RR | Tangential departure on a quarter circle | Milling and Turning with driven toolsn |
G17 | G15 | Svivelling and Resetting the machining level | Milling Level selection |
G17 | G15 G17 IP3 | Level selection face end with virtual Y axis | Turning with driven tools |
G17 C | G15 G17 IP0 | Level selection face end with polar coordinates | Turning with driven tools |
G17 Y C | G15 G17 IP5 CM | Level selection face end with real Y axis | Turning with driven tools |
G18 | G15 G18 TURN | Level selection for Turning | Drehen mit angetr. Werkzeugen |
G19 X | G15 G19 IP1 DM | Level selection surface area with virtual Y axis | Turning with driven tools |
G19 C | G15 G17 IP0 | Level selection surface area with polar coordinates | Turning with driven tools |
G19 Y X | G15 G17 IP5 DM | Level selection chord area with real Y Axis | Turning with driven tools |
G86 | M1 ; G86 | Radial recessing cycle | Turning, not automatically “translatable”, therefore commented out here with M1 ;. The cycle must then be reprogrammed. |
G88 | M1 ; G86 | Axial recessing cycle | Turning, not automatically “translatable”, therefore commented out here with M1 ;. The cycle must then be reprogrammed. |
You will find more tips in the upcoming newsletters.
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KELLER.Academy in Norderstedt
That’s the way it has to be! 3 days of KELLER.Academy and heads were spinning! With a lot of fun, but great benefits, it was all about our CNC software SYMplus™ at the BBZ Norderstedt. On the third day, the group dwindled down to the “hard core” of three teachers who work with metal-cutting machine operator classes.
The KELLER.Software team would like to express their sincere thanks to the participants as well as for the hospitality. It was a pleasure to welcome such long-time and good customers to the KELLER.Academy.
Click on the following link to learn more about the courses offered at the KELLER.Academy: https://cnc-keller.com/keller-academy/
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Newsletter June 2022
Supported 2,400 trainees during the pandemic with SYMplus™.
For two years we have been dealing with the issue of how learning should work when we are not allowed to meet, when schools are closed due to the pandemic, or when individual students and teachers have to stay at home in quarantine.
KELLER.Software has responded to this situation immediately and since the beginning of the pandemic has made the entire scope of the PAL student licence available free of charge to all plusCARE™ customers.
In the meantime, most of the measures against the virus have been lifted in Germany. Hence, the KELLER.Software team has decided to let the offer of the free student license PAL expire by the end of the month. This means that the free licenses will be switched off after June 30, 2022, as previously mentioned in our monthly reminder emails to users, as well as on our website next to the registration form.
Note: This does not apply to the student licence DIN and of course not to the purchased licenses of the student license PAL (explanations regarding the license are below).
However, these two years have also changed things for us. For this reason, KELLER.Software offers the following as a way for your trainees to continue to learn comfortably from home (or wherever) with the SYMplus™ CNC software:
- Buy the student license PAL easily and quickly as an add-on to your plusCARE™ license: Billing via plusCARE™ invoice, cancellation period at the end of the plusCARE™ period (contact us by email or phone)
- Receive student DIN license as a plusCARE™ customer upon request (contact aus by email or phone)
- As a student, rent the student license DIN yourself for 14 days to 1 year (to be purchased via the following link: https://www.cleverbridge.com/858/purl-cnc-keller-Katalogeng)
You are not yet a plusCARE™ customer? Contact us by email or phone and enjoy the many perks of plusCARE™.
What is the difference between student license DIN and student license PAL?
Student license DIN: For those professionals who only need basic CNC knowledge, the scope of commands in DIN is scaled down to the basics of PAL.
Student license PAL: With this version, the complete instructional scope of PAL is taught.
Much more from KELLER.Software…
Are you familiar with the IHK exams conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce for CNC Operators? In case you would like to know the syllabus and scope of these exams, have a look at the IHK videos on our YouTube channel. The videos are unfortunately only available in German as the exams are only conducted in German. Got any questions? Feel free to comment or contact.
Next Appointment:
30. June – 01. July 2022: Basic DIN/PAL programming with SYMplus™
14. – 15. July 2022: Driven tools, level swivel and reform PAL2020
28. – 29. July 2022: Basics of graphical programming (CAD/CAM) with SYMplus™
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Newsletter May 2022
3 last-minute KELLER learning tips.
Sometimes time just flies by. It feels like only yesterday that the trainees began their training and now they are already writing their final exam for cutting machine operators. The KELLER.Software team wishes them all the best for this exam and for their future.
3 last-minute KELLER learning tips for your trainees:
1. Watch old final exams as videos on YouTube > https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo0O792GpB40x6jxXdksrTvaiWPkAzwGa
2. Request SYMplus™ workbooks as PDF > https://cnc-keller.com/symplus-support/workbooks/
3. Student Licence PAL is still available free of charge for all plusCARE™ customers until 05/31/2022 > https://cnc-keller.com/buy-symplus/#simplus-at-home
or simply rent the student licence yourself > https://www.cleverbridge.com/858/purl-cnc-keller-Katalogeng
Please note:
A new update of SYMplus™ was released last month. Have you installed it yet? If not, hurry up and do it, so you can get the best results out of your CNC Software.
You can read what’s new in Update 62 here: https://cnc-keller.com/symplus-support/new-features-optimizations/
Do you need help with the software update?
Our Support will assist you with this > http://cnc-keller.yoursupport.de/cnc.en/
If you have some free time, here is also a link to our Photo Gallery from the BETT UK education fair which took place last month in London: https://cnc-keller.com/aktuelles/bett-uk-education-fair-2022/
Much more from KELLER.Software…
Next Appointment:
02. – 03. June 2022: Driven tools, level swivel and reform PAL2020
09. – 10. June 2022: Basics of graphical programming (CAD/CAM) with SYMplus™
Further Information > https://cnc-keller.com/keller-academy/
There is always something to watch on our website. For e.g, last month’s practical tip as a video, more simulations and many more interesting videos.
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Practical Tip: Clever Cutting and Reclamping – In Video format
Cut a turned part to be machined on both sides from the bar and at the same time programme the second machining side. If the length of the blank is defined to such an extent that at the end, there is enough material to “cut” out of the protective zone for the chuck or the clamping jaws. However, if you proceed as described, after the “cutting off” step it would result in the half-finished workpiece falling in the simulation as in reality in the chip tray or a part catcher. Afterwards, the geometry is no longer available in the working plan for further machining.
But what is the solution then? The practical tip gives you the answer to this question.
Please follow our Youtube channel to watch the latest videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyBovavGxzuJmrm1OXZuErw
For more tips, keep an eye out for our upcoming newsletters.
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Happy Easter
KELLER.Software wishes you a Happy Easter and Sunny Spring days ahead!
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SYMplus™ Update 62
SYMplus™ Update 62 is now available to all customers with plusCARE™ and includes new features as well as great improvements.
Would you like to know what is new in this update? You can find out via this link: https://cnc-keller.com/symplus-support/new-features-optimizations/
Don’t have plusCARE™ yet? Visit the link below to find out all the information and advantages of it. Contact us and become a plusCARE™ customer to stay up to date.
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Newsletter March 2022
Innovations and the future of learning.
We have good news: The next SYMplus™ update will be available in the next few weeks for all customers with a plusCARE™ contract.
You can expect improvements to PAL2020, optimisations to the software performance and much more in Update 62 of your SYMplus™ CNC software. As soon as it is online, we will let you know immediately. Please keep an eye on our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), our website or the update notification in the software.
In this context, we would also like to point out that Update 61 was already available last week. However, this had a bug and so we reacted quickly and stopped it without further ado. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about this. With Update 62, this error has been fixed.
All new features and optimisations can always be found here on our website.
The Bett UK Education Exhibition is taking place in London this month (23 – 25 March). Mr. Reckermann, our head of sales and KELLER software expert, will be there to discuss with educators from all over the world how learning can be shaped in the future – and, of course, what KELLER.Software can contribute to it. We are already looking forward to these inspiring days and will report on our impressions from London in the next newsletter.
You can find more information about the fair here on our website.
Much more from KELLER.Software…
Next appointment:
21.-22. April 2022: Exam preparation PAL
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The practical tips from the monthly KELLER newsletter are also available in video form. Watch it at any time and free of charge on the KELLER.Software YouTube channel >
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Newsletter February 2022
Learn new things faster and more effectively
It is no secret that learning is increasingly taking place on the Internet.
Videos are particularly popular. Videos increase the clarity of a topic through their visual presentation and, because our brains remember images better than texts, help us retain information in our heads for longer.
That’s why we at KELLER.Software have been running a YouTube channel for a few years now, covering topics such as:
How does the machining of Grooves work?> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqqflAwVSeE
How to setup vocabulary tests and multiple choice tasks using SYMplus™ software?> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5FngKoU1Qo&t=4s
How to compare production strategies effortlessly with each other using SYMplus™ software?> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSeaABYL7wg&t=3s
There is something for everyone. No matter whether you are just taking your first steps as an apprentice or would like to further your education as an experienced person.
Click here to go to the KELLER.Software YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/c/CNCKELLERGmbH
Practical Tip: From PAL Programming to chips
The phrase “From PAL programming to chips” refers to the fact that with SYMplus™ you can not only learn the theory, but you can also build a bridge to practical application.
To learn more about this Tip of the Month, please click on the picture.
Much more from KELLER.Software…
Upcoming Training Sessions:
10.-11. Mar. 2022: Driven tools, plane swing and reform PAL2020
17.-18. Mar. 2022: Basics of graphic programming (CAD/CAM) with SYMplus™.
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PRACTICAL TIP – From PAL Programming to chips
February 2022
The phrase “From PAL programming to chips” refers to the fact that with SYMplus™ you can not only learn the theory, but you can also build a bridge to practical application. Please note that whether you have a new machine with SIEMENS, HEIDENHAIN or HAAS or one from the 80s with a Dialog 4, EPL or CNC432 control, it always works the same way.
We will show you in the following practical tip how this works:
Step 1
Load the program you want to put on the machine into the PAL simulator and test it diligently using the simulation.
Step 2
Now carry out the following steps 1, 2 and 3:
Step 3
Generate NC program:
3.1.
Search for the parameter file of the desired control via F1 “Control parameters” and confirm the selection with F10.
3.2.
Use F2 “Folder” to select the location where you want to save the program ( for example, this could be on a hard disk or a USB stick)
3.3.
Please be aware that older controllers in particular only allow numbers and no letters in the “Name” field. Also, please refrain from using special characters and spaces.
Step 4
The program must now be transferred to the machine. This can be done either via network, USB connection or “serially” using the “Transfer” mode of SYMplus™.
Step 5
Test the generated program again using the simulation graphic on the control. If any changes are necessary, feel free to contact us.
Step 6
When everything is running smoothly: Why not record your success with a photo or video and send it to us? We are always happy to receive such responses. We look forward to seeing your PAL programming practice workpieces on the machine!
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