General

Multi-channel CNC systems are often coordinated by complex PLC programs. The PLC programs:

• start parallelised or strictly sequential processes,
• command synchronous or asynchronous motions in CNC channels and
• recombine processes and motions.

In many cases, they are optimised for one application. “Batch mode” or operation with “recipes” are not possible, i.e. commands with deviating processes or rules for a program that the user can modify. The reasons for this are dependencies encoded in the process involving

• controller properties
• application programs
• program synchronisation
• the manufactured product itself.

When a Job Manager is used, it permits batch mode without PLC support. One or several CNC channels and their CNC programs assume the task of commander, also referred to as “client” (master). The other channels are service providers, referred to as “agents” (slaves). Commanding channels use additional commands for

• blocking other agents from issuing commands and
• synchronising program flow in the commanding channel and its agents.

All channels not declared as clients display an error message when additional commands are called.