The last few lines on each page optionally contain an accumulated tape length and machining time summary. Tape length is output in feet, meters or kilobytes, depending on the post-processor units and output format. The reel number is included where applicable. Machining time is in hh:mm:ss format.

You can request a second type of summary line in QUEST to report the total machining time for the tool when a tool change occurs. The time is broken down to show times for positioning, cutting, miscellaneous and, for merging lathes, idle time. The summary line precedes the tape blocks that perform the tool change. Note that this type of summary is not available for punch press machines.

An NC program summary can be found at the end of the verification listing. An interim summary is also provided for each reel in a multi-reel program. These include tooling, machine travel, machining time and diagnostic summaries.

The tooling summary is optional. It supports up to five independent automatic tool changers (ATC) on a single milling or turning machine. For each ATC the summary lists all tools that are loaded. Information for each tool includes identity number, pocket number, diameter, length, gripper size, diameter and length compensation switch numbers, minimum and maximum feeds, and feed, rapid, miscellaneous and total times.

Punch presses have a nibble and punching summary for each tool along with the machining times.

The less than 132 column format of the tool summary displays one half of the information for all tools, followed by the second half of the information for the same set of tools. The 132 (or greater) column format lists all the information for each tool in one line. The tooling summary appears only if the post-processor creator specifically requests it.

The tool travel summary always appears. It lists the minimum, maximum and total travel for all axes. The tool travel is with respect to the machine coordinate system in effect at the end of the program (or reel). Use the ORIGIN, TRANS and POSTN post-processor commands to control the machine coordinate system.

For example, the travel summary for a mill might be:

TOOL TRAVEL SUMMARY:

The machining time summary is optional. It lists, in hh:mm:ss format, the time spent positioning, cutting, on miscellaneous operations, and for merging lathes the time spent at idle time. Also for merging lathes, the times for both heads are listed independently.

In the following example, the total time spent at feed was 42 seconds. This accounted for over 97% of the total machining time.

MACHINING TIME SUMMARY:

The diagnostic summary is optional. There are two types of diagnostic summary, either or both of which can appear, controlled by answers in QUEST.

The basic summary lists the number of diagnostics that occurred in each message class. If no diagnostics occurred, the summary states that fact. There are four classes of diagnostics:

In the following example, 3 warnings and 2 errors occurred. There were no informational messages nor were there fatal errors.

The detailed summary lists by message category, a compilation of all diagnostics that have occurred in the program. For each diagnostic type, a count of the number of occurrences and a page reference of the first occurrence is given.