NC Variables

NC variables can be used in feed data. For further information on how to specify feed data, please refer to Specify Feed Data and Non-Printable Characters.

NC variables are not available in all protocols.

VariableLASTTOOL

$LASTTOOL

Contains the name of the last tool found, regardless of whether is has been activated by a M6 style command. If the port is configured to use a M6 style tool load command, you should normally use $ACTIVETOOL instead (see below).

When starting/restarting transmission from a specified block/line number, as described in Send a File and Restart a Transmission, you can use $LASTTOOL to ensure that the transmission is started with the correct tool number.

Example: If you want to start the transmission from line 1220, the server will scan the input file, and record the last tool found before line 1220, and store this value in $LASTTOOL.

VariableACTIVETOOL

$ACTIVETOOL

Contains the name of the active tool. If no M6 style tool load command is used this is the same as $LASTTOOL.

When starting/restarting transmission from a specified block/line number, you can use $ACTIVETOOL to ensure that the transmission is started with the correct toolmaker.

For further information, please refer to Send a File and Restart a Transmission.

Example: If you want to start the transmission from line 1220, the server will scan the input file, and record the last tool used before line 1220, and store this value in $ACTIVETOOL.

VariableFEEDRATE

$FEEDRATE

When starting/restarting transmission from a specified block/line/tool number, as described in Send a File and Restart a Transmission, you can use $FEEDRATE to ensure that the transmission is started with the correct feedrate.

Example: If you want to start the transmission from line 1220, the server will scan the input file, and record the last feedrate used before line 1220, and store this value in $FEEDRATE.

$FEEDRATE is only available if the server is licensed for feed/speed control. In addition, feedrate information must be configured in the protocol. For further information on how to configure feedrate information, please refer to [LINK:ProtocolCfg_FeedSpeed].
VariableSPINDLESPEED

$SPINDLESPEED

When starting/restarting transmission from a specified block/line/tool number, as described in section Send a File and Restart a Transmission, you can use $SPINDLESPEED to ensure that the transmission is started with the correct spindle speed.

Example: If you want to start the transmission from line 1220, the server will scan the input file, and record the last feedrate used before line 1220, and store this value in $SPINDLESPEED.

$SPINDLESPEED is only available if the server is licensed for feed/speed control. In addition, spindle speed information must be configured in the protocol. For further information on how to configure spindle speed information, please refer to [LINK:ProtocolCfg_FeedSpeed].