# 2-path programming

2-path programming permits the description of 2 independent contours in an NC channel. It is particularly used in EDM wire erosion but it can also be used in other manufacturing processes and applications.

During the erosion process, a wire running off continuously from a roller cuts through the material using the principle of spark erosion. The wire is guided by 2 guide elements, one below and one above the workpiece

Diagram of EDM wire erosion with 2-path programming

The lower and upper guide elements each move along their own paths in planes that are defined by individual coordinate systems. As a rule, the planes are parallel but at different heights. The definition and alignment of these coordinate systems are dependent on the material thickness cut.

Programming the paths or contour elements of the guide points identically results is perpendicular cuts. However, the paths can also describe different contours and this results in diagonal cuts that merge from one contour into the other. Contour elements assigned to the lower and upper paths are always programmed in the same NC block.

The two paths are programmed in 2 axis groups. In general, the axis names X, Y, Z are used for the lower path and the names U, V, W for the upper path. Assignment between axis group and path can be configured in the channel list and is defined after initialisation of the CNC (start-up).

## Notice

This function is an additional option requiring a license.

## Additional information

- Configuration
- General 2-path syntax
- Global and path-specific commands
- NC program exmaple
- Definition of lower and upper plane
- Shifting a coordinate system (#CS SHIFT Z)