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RS-274D is the standard for numerically controlled machines developed by the Electronic Industry Association in the early 1960's. The RS-274D revision was approved in February, 1980. There are a number of historical sidelights to this standard, many having to do with the original use of punched paper tape as the only data interchange medium. The 64-character EIA-244 paper tape standard is now (thankfully) obsolete, and ASCII character bit patterns are now the standard representation. Others are methods for 'searching' for specific lines (program blocks) on the tape, 'rewinding' the tape, etc. The basic unit of the program is the 'block', which is seen in printed form as a 'line' of text. These lines usually start with a number, as N0001 X123. Each block can contain one or more 'words', which consist of a letter, describing a setting to be made, or a function to be performed, followed by a numeric field, supplying a value to that function. An example would be X10.001, which by itself indicates the X axis should move to a position of 10.001 user units, which would normally be inches or mm. Various words can be combined to specify multi-axis moves, or perform special functions. The common axes are normally named :
A B C U V W X Y Z Angular axis around X axis Angular axis around Y axis Angular axis around Z axis Secondary axis parallel to X Secondary axis parallel to Y - Secondary axis parallel to Z - Primary Linear Axis - Primary Linear Axis - Primary Linear Axis -

Control words are :

F G M S T Feed Rate Preparatory Functions Miscellaneous Function Spindle Speed - Tool Function

Preparatory (G) Functions :

G00 G01 G02 G03 G04 Positioning Linear Interpolation Circular (Clockwise) Interpolation Circular (Counterclockwise) Interpolation

- Dwell (not modal)

G17 G18 G19 G33 G34 G35 G40 G41 G42 G43 G49 G70 G71

- XY plane - ZX plane - YZ plane - Threadcutting, constant lead - Threadcutting, Increasing Lead - Threadcutting, Decreasing Lead - Cancel Cutter compensation - Cutter Compensation, Tool Left of Path - Cutter Compensation, Tool Right of Path How to use Cutter Diameter Compensation - Tool Length Offset How to use Tool Length Offset - Cancel Tool Length Offset - Inch Programming - metric programming

Miscellaneous (M) Functions :

M00 M01 M02 M03 M04 M05 M06 M07 M08 M09 - Program Stop - Optional Program Stop - End of Program - Spindle CW - Spindle CCW - Spindle Stop Tool Change Flood Coolant On Mist Coolant On Coolant Off

Related Topics: CAD - Computer Aided Design. CAM - Computer Aided Manufacturing. CNC - Computerized Numeric Control.