I am wondering what methods you guys use to operate your mill for simple cutting operations.
So far I have just been twisting my feed rate dial to a percentage that gives me a speed that seems close, and then setting the proper spindle RPM from the GUI. I then just use my jog buttons. This works "ok". My percentage knob only has so many settings though...5% 10% 20% etc.
I do also have a pendant with MPG, but that is not as smooth as holding a button and letting the machine handle the rest.
The only issue I have is that I am not sure how to set a proper feed rate rather than picking from the few choices my knob has for percentages.
Can I use an MDI command to set the exact feed rate I want and then use the jog buttons to machine?
I assume this is possible, can anyone tell me the code? I briefly looked and it seems you can issue an Fx within a G code to set it, but I am not sure how you would utilize this for "manual" operation. I have only let my CAM generate G-code so far. I can decipher it for the most part, but still learning.
I know completely using the MDI to make the move may also be better than the jog buttons, but...baby steps.