Some CNC machines support multiple machining paths, such as main and sub-spindles or secondary turrets. Each path may increment its own internal part counter. MachineMetrics reads these counters to determine when a part is completed. Choosing the correct path ensures accurate part counting and prevents duplicate or missed counts.
This configuration is important for supervisors and engineers who rely on precise production data and need part counts to reflect actual machine output.
Feature Availability
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Module | Core Platform |
| Optional Add-Ons | None |
| Real-Time Requirements | Machine must expose internal part counter values |
| Access Level | Managers, Executives, IT Admin |
How It Works
CNC controls typically assign Path 1 to the primary spindle, with additional paths representing secondary spindles or turrets. MachineMetrics monitors each internal counter independently.
MachineMetrics does not detect or rely on a specific M-code. It waits for the machine to increment its internal part counter. According to the original documentation (pages 2–3), the flow works as follows:
A work counter code runs.
The CNC increments the internal counter.
MachineMetrics detects the change.
The platform records a completed part.
Example Available Part Count Metrics in Mapping
Machines with multiple work counter codes may increment the counter more than once per cycle. Selecting the correct path prevents unintended multiple counts.
How to Use It
Selecting Which Path Counts Parts
By default, MachineMetrics counts part increments from all available paths. You may need to restrict part counting to a single path to avoid duplicate counts, depending on how the machine increments its counters.
Where to Configure the Part Count Source
This is a machine-level configuration.
Go to Machines, select the machine, and use the gear in the upper-right to open the Machine Edit Form.
Then follow these steps:
Open the Machine Edit Form using the gear in the upper-right.
Go to Data Rules.
Under Select Part Count Metric, open the dropdown.
-
Choose:
Default, which uses all paths, or
A specific path counter (for example, part_count2) to count parts from only that path.
Save your changes.
Tips and Best Practices
If the machine increments its counter for several work counter codes, selecting only one path prevents multiple increments per cycle.
After modifying the configuration, observe a full cycle to confirm that the count matches expected machine output.
Use the machine’s diagnostic screens to verify which internal counter increments during a cycle.
FAQs and Troubleshooting
Does MachineMetrics count M-code execution?
No. MachineMetrics records a part only when the CNC increments its internal counter.
Why am I seeing zero-second cycles on a multi-path machine?
This happens when more than one path reports a completed part at the same time. Set the part-count metric to a single path instead of the default combined metric to prevent the overlap.
Why are part counts higher than expected?
Multiple paths or several work counter codes may be incrementing counters. Select a single part count source.
Which path should I select?
Select the path whose internal counter increments exactly once per completed part.
Does MachineMetrics count every path by default?
Yes, unless you select a specific path in the Machine Edit Form.
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