PROTOTRAK BASIC OPERATION

Press the MODE button on the pendant controller

Using the softkeys, press the “PROG IN/OUT” button

Press the Softkey NO, then OPEN

Locate your file using the Softkeys (TAB, DATA FWD, DATA BACK, etc.)

You may need to open a specific drive in the area labeled “Look In”

When you have located your file, press the OPEN FILE Softkey

Take a moment to confirm that you loaded the correct program. Press the EDIT Softkey

Press G CODE EDIT Softkey

You will see the G Code that has just been loaded. Make sure this is correct (Does your comment from Fusion look right? Are the tools the ones youre using? Does the first operation in the G Code match the first operation you assigned in Fusion? Etc, etc.)

If everything looks good, press the RETURN Softkey

If your G Code is correct, press the MODE button on the pendant controller

Press Softkey DRO

Touch off the tool to the top surface of the material (See: SETTING Z-AXIS section)

You may need to move the Prototrak using both manual (handwheels) and auto (Jog buttons)

After you have set your Z reference, press the MODE button on the pendant controller

Press RUN Softkey

Press START Softkey

You will get a warning message asking if tools are set properly. If this is true, press RESUME Softkey

You will see a small green pop-up window saying “Ready to Begin, Press GO when ready”

NOTE: You will still have time to change/adjust things before the Prototrak begins milling

When you are ready, use the hand-clicker to proceed by pressing the button

After pressing the button, a new green pop-up window will appear with important information and directions. Pay close attention to what tool number it calls for and follow the directions!

Turn on the spindle by turning the switch to the 2 position

It is HIGHLY recommended that if this is your first time running your code that you manually lower the federate!!!! You can do this by pressing the ↓ button on the controller pendant. (30% is a good speed to start with)

This will slow down the Prototrak and allow you more reaction time to stop the machine in case something is wrong

If you have confirmed that everything is correct and are ready to begin milling, press the clicker button. Your job will start.

Once the Prototrak begins, pay extra close attention to where it is moving to!!! If it appears to be moving too fast, or to an incorrect location, press the clicker button to pause the machine. If necessary, turn off the spindle

If you can observe that the Prototrak is milling your part correctly, you can then return the federate to 100% in most cases (See: TIPS, TRICKS, AND BEST PRACTICES)

As the Prototrak mills the part, be sure to always keep the clicker in your hand!!

After the toolpath has completed, the spindle will automatically retract and the spindle will stop, followed by the green pop-up window telling you to change tools and restart the spindle if available. (If it is the last toolpath, the pop-up window will simply say “Run Over”)

If there are more toolpaths to run, remove the finished tool and install the correct tool

Turn on the spindle by turning the switch to 0, then back to 2 position (REMEMBER TO MANUALLY TURN DOWN THE FEEDRATE IF NEEDED!!!)

After your job is totally completed, remove the tool from the spindle and return it to the tool rack on the bench

Remove your part

Clean the Prototrak, the bench, and the surrounding area