Galil Motion Control cadman Page 24
2.5 Order Numbers
CAD drawings often contain a variety of branch points and line intersections. CAD-to-DMC
requires sequencing information at each of these intersections in order to determine the proper
motion path. This sequence information is provided through Order Numbers. Order Numbers
can be used to resolve intersections along a path and to perform multiple cycles of sections of a
drawing.
Order Numbers are text elements that are associated with line elements of a CAD drawing.
When a number is placed next to a line element, it becomes associated with that element and
can be used to resolve directions at intersections. CAD-to-DMC keeps track of the current
Order Number and looks for the next highest number upon reaching an intersection. The motion
path will always go in the direction of the next order number. CAD-to-DMC always begins
counting with the number 0 so it is a good idea to use the number 1 at the first intersection of the
drawing and increment by 1 at each subsequent intersection.
EXAMPLE:
Figure 15 shows a CAD drawing of a square with an entry line on the left and a departure line
on the right. CAD-to-DMC begins following the path at FIRST, where the value of the order
count is 0. Upon reaching the first intersection, it sees 2 to the right and 1 to the left. Since 1 is
the next highest number, the motion path goes to the left. After tracing the top three sides of the
square, CAD-to-DMC encounters another intersection where it turns right, in the direction of
the 2. The path continues along the bottom side of the square until it encounters the first
intersection again. At this point, the current count is 2 so CAD-to-DMC ignores the 1.
However, a 3 is also present so it turns to the right, again tracing the top three sides of the
square. When the second intersection is again reached, CAD-to-DMC turns left towards the 4,
completing the motion path.
