MPR File Format Reference Guide - Variable Definitions

Overview

This is an internal reference guide for understanding MPR (Macro Post Processor) file variables used by HOMAG/Weeke CNC machines. MPR is a parametric programming language that uses macro commands instead of traditional G-code. Use this when troubleshooting post processors or explaining Weeke/HOMAG programming concepts to customers.

File Structure

MPR files consist of:

1. File Header [H - Program metadata and machine settings
2. Workpiece Definition <100 - Material dimensions and reference points
3. Processing Commands <10x - Machining operations (drilling, routing, sawing, etc.)
4. File Termination ! - End of program marker

Section 1: File Header Variables [H

The file header defines overall program settings and machine configuration.

Version and Format

VERSION

• Purpose: Specifies the MPR file format version
• Format: String (e.g., "4.0 Alpha", "3.5", "4.1")
• Values:
  • "3.x" = Older MPR format (legacy machines)
  • "4.0" = Modern MPR format
  • "4.0 Alpha" = Development/testing version
• Notes:
  • Different machines support different versions
  • Older controllers may not accept newer formats
  • Always verify version compatibility with customer's machine

Machine Configuration Settings

HP

• Purpose: Horizontal Processing mode
• Format: Integer (0 or 1)
• Values:
  • 1 = Horizontal processing enabled (typical for flat panel work)
  • 0 = Horizontal processing disabled (vertical/edge processing)
• Notes: Indicates whether the machine will process the part laying flat

IN

• Purpose: Initialization mode
• Format: Integer (0 or 1)
• Values:
  • 0 = Normal initialization
  • 1 = Special initialization mode
• Notes: Controls how the machine initializes before starting the program

GX

• Purpose: X-axis global offset or grouping setting
• Format: Numeric (typically 0)
• Units: Millimeters or inches (depends on INCH setting)
• Notes: Used for nesting or multiple-part processing on some machines

BFS

• Purpose: Batch Feed System
• Format: Integer (0 or 1)
• Values:
  • 1 = Batch feed enabled
  • 0 = Batch feed disabled
• Notes: Related to automatic material loading systems

GY

• Purpose: Y-axis global offset or grouping setting
• Format: Numeric (typically 0)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes: Similar to GX but for Y-axis positioning

GXY

• Purpose: Combined XY grouping or offset
• Format: Numeric (typically 0)
• Notes: May relate to part positioning in nested layouts

UP

• Purpose: Unknown parameter (machine-specific)
• Format: Integer
• Notes: Meaning varies by machine model - check specific machine documentation

FM

• Purpose: Feed Mode or feed method
• Format: Integer
• Values:
  • 1 = Standard feed mode
  • 2 = Alternative feed algorithm (machine-specific)
• Notes: Controls how feed rates are calculated and applied

FW

• Purpose: Feed rate for positioning moves (rapid traverse speed)
• Format: Numeric
• Units: mm/min or m/min (check machine settings)
• Common values: 400-800 (mm/min for positioning)
• Notes: Default rapid traverse speed when moving between operations

ZS

• Purpose: Z-axis Safe height (clearance height)
• Format: Numeric
• Units: Millimeters (or inches if INCH=1)
• Common values: 10-50mm depending on setup
• Notes:
  • Height the tool retracts to when moving between operations
  • Must be high enough to clear clamps and fixtures
  • Too high = wasted time; too low = collision risk

HS

• Purpose: Horizontal Saw or horizontal spindle setting
• Format: Integer (0 or 1)
• Values:
  • 0 = Horizontal saw not used
  • 1 = Horizontal saw active
• Notes: For machines with integrated saw units

OP

• Purpose: Operation mode
• Format: Integer
• Values:
  • 1 = Standard operation
  • Other values may indicate special modes (simulation, setup, etc.)
• Notes: Defines how the machine processes the program

MAT

• Purpose: Material type or machine type identifier
• Format: String
• Common values:
  • "WEEKE" = Weeke machine
  • "HOMAG" = HOMAG machine
  • "SCM" = SCM machine
  • "MDF" = MDF material
  • "CHIPBOARD" = Particleboard
  • "PLYWOOD" = Plywood
• Notes:
  • May affect default feed rates and processing parameters
  • Some machines use this for material-specific settings

DN

• Purpose: Default Name or designation
• Format: String
• Common values: "STANDARD", custom profile names
• Notes: May reference a saved machine configuration profile

INCH

• Purpose: Unit system selection
• Format: Integer (0 or 1)
• Values:
  • 0 = Metric (millimeters)
  • 1 = Imperial (inches)
• Notes:
  • CRITICAL SETTING - must match Mozaik export settings
  • All coordinates in the file follow this unit system
  • Mismatch causes parts to be wrong size or wrong location

VIEW

• Purpose: View orientation and mirroring
• Format: String
• Values:
  • "NOMIRROR" = No mirroring applied
  • "MIRRORX" = Mirror across X-axis
  • "MIRRORY" = Mirror across Y-axis
  • "MIRRORXY" = Mirror across both axes
• Notes: Used when part needs to be flipped or mirrored for processing

ANZ

• Purpose: Anzahl (German: "quantity") - Number of parts to process
• Format: Integer
• Common values: 1 (single part), 2-99 (batch processing)
• Notes: For processing multiple identical parts in one program

BES

• Purpose: Besäumen (German: "edging/trimming")
• Format: Integer (0 or 1)
• Values:
  • 0 = No automatic edging
  • 1 = Edging enabled
• Notes: For machines with integrated edgebanding units

ENT

• Purpose: Entrinden (German: "debarking") or edge treatment
• Format: Integer (0 or 1)
• Values:
  • 0 = No edge treatment
  • 1 = Edge treatment enabled
• Notes: Machine-specific feature, rarely used in cabinet work

Internal Workpiece Variables (Underscore Prefix)

These variables store workpiece dimensions internally. They're typically duplicated in the <100 section in human-readable format.

_BSX

• Purpose: Board Size X (internal) - Material length
• Format: Numeric (decimal)
• Units: Millimeters or inches (depends on INCH setting)
• Notes: Internal variable representing the X-dimension of the workpiece

_BSY

• Purpose: Board Size Y (internal) - Material width
• Format: Numeric (decimal)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes: Internal variable representing the Y-dimension of the workpiece

_BSZ

• Purpose: Board Size Z (internal) - Material thickness
• Format: Numeric (decimal)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes: Internal variable representing the Z-dimension (thickness)

_FNX

• Purpose: Front reference point X-coordinate (internal)
• Format: Numeric (decimal)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Common values: 0 (left edge), BSX/2 (center)
• Notes: Where the X-axis zero point is located on the workpiece

_FNY

• Purpose: Front reference point Y-coordinate (internal)
• Format: Numeric (decimal)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Common values: 0 (front edge), BSY/2 (center)
• Notes: Where the Y-axis zero point is located on the workpiece

_RNX

• Purpose: Rear reference point X-coordinate (internal)
• Format: Numeric (decimal)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes: For parts with different front/rear reference points

_RNY

• Purpose: Rear reference point Y-coordinate (internal)
• Format: Numeric (decimal)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes: Typically same as FNY for rectangular parts

_RNZ

• Purpose: Rear reference point Z-coordinate (internal)
• Format: Numeric (decimal)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Common values: 0 (top surface), BSZ (bottom surface)
• Notes: Defines where Z=0 is located

_RX

• Purpose: Reference dimension X (internal copy of BSX)
• Format: Numeric (decimal)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes: Redundant storage of X-dimension

_RY

• Purpose: Reference dimension Y (internal copy of BSY)
• Format: Numeric (decimal)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes: Redundant storage of Y-dimension

Section 2: Workpiece Definition <100 \WerkStck\

This section defines the actual workpiece (material) being machined. "WerkStck" is German for "workpiece."

Command Identifier

<100

• Purpose: Command code for workpiece definition
• Notes: Always precedes workpiece data in MPR files
• Required at the start of every MPR program

Workpiece Dimension Parameters

LA

• Purpose: Länge (German: "length") - Workpiece length
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches (depends on INCH setting)
• Notes: This is the X-dimension of the material

BR

• Purpose: Breite (German: "width") - Workpiece width
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes: This is the Y-dimension of the material

DI

• Purpose: Dicke (German: "thickness") - Workpiece thickness
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Common values:
  • Metric: 12mm (1/2"), 18mm (3/4"), 25mm (1")
  • Imperial: 0.5", 0.75", 1.0"
• Notes: This is the Z-dimension (material thickness)

Reference Point Parameters

FNX

• Purpose: Front reference point X
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Common values: "0" (left edge as origin)
• Notes: Defines where X=0 is located on the part

FNY

• Purpose: Front reference point Y
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Common values: "0" (front edge as origin)
• Notes: Defines where Y=0 is located on the part

RNX

• Purpose: Rear reference point X
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes: Typically same as FNX for rectangular parts

RNY

• Purpose: Rear reference point Y
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes: Typically same as FNY for rectangular parts

RNZ

• Purpose: Rear reference point Z
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Common values: "0" (top surface as origin)
• Notes: Z=0 is typically the top surface of the material

Rotation Parameters

AX

• Purpose: Axis rotation or angle X
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Degrees
• Common values: "0" (no rotation)
• Notes: For angled or rotated part setups (rarely used)

AY

• Purpose: Axis rotation or angle Y
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Degrees
• Common values: "0" (no rotation)
• Notes: Rarely used in flat panel processing

Section 3: Machining Operations

Common Operation Command Codes

Vertical Drilling Parameters <102 \BohrVert\

Position Parameters

XA

• Purpose: X-Achse (German: "X-axis") - Hole position along length
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches (depends on INCH setting)
• Notes:
  • Horizontal position of the hole center
  • Measured from FNX reference point
  • Must be within 0 to LA (workpiece length)

YA

• Purpose: Y-Achse (German: "Y-axis") - Hole position along width
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes:
  • Vertical position of the hole center
  • Measured from FNY reference point
  • Must be within 0 to BR (workpiece width)

Tool and Process Parameters

BM

• Purpose: Bohrer Modus (German: "Drill Mode") or tool type
• Format: String (typically 2 letters)
• Common values:
  • "LS" = Lochsäge (standard drill)
  • "VHM" = Vollhartmetall (solid carbide drill)
  • "HSS" = High-Speed Steel drill
  • "HW" = Hardwood drill
• Notes: Defines the type of drilling tool to use

TI

• Purpose: Tiefe (German: "depth") - Drilling depth
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes:
  • How far the drill penetrates into the material
  • For through-holes: TI = DI (thickness) + small clearance
  • For blind holes: TI < DI
  • Always measured from the drilling surface

DU

• Purpose: Durchmesser (German: "diameter") - Drill bit diameter
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Common metric values: 3, 5, 8, 10, 15, 35mm (for shelf pins, hinges, etc.)
• Common imperial values: 1/8", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2"
• Notes: Size of the hole being drilled

AN

• Purpose: Typically tool number or angle
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Common meanings:
  • Tool number (references machine's tool table)
  • Quantity in a pattern
  • Angle parameter (machine-specific)
• Notes:
  • Exact meaning varies by machine
  • Usually refers to tool position in ATC (Automatic Tool Changer)
  • Check machine documentation

MI

• Purpose: Mitte (German: "center") or mirror setting
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Values:
  • "0" = No mirroring
  • "1" = Mirror this operation
• Notes: Used when processing mirrored pairs (left/right cabinet sides)

S_

• Purpose: Seite (German: "side") - Which face to drill
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Values:
  • "1" = Principal face (top surface)
  • "2" = Secondary face (bottom surface)
  • "3" = Edge face (side)
  • "4" = Opposite edge face
• Notes:
  • Defines which surface the hole is drilled from
  • Critical for depth calculations

AB

• Purpose: Abstand (German: "distance") or process parameter
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Notes:
  • Machine-specific parameter
  • May control drill retract distance, peck depth, or other settings
  • Check specific machine documentation

WI

• Purpose: Winkel (German: "angle") - Drill angle
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Degrees
• Values:
  • "0" = 90° vertical drilling (perpendicular to surface)
  • Non-zero = Angled drilling
• Notes:
  • 0° is most common (straight down)
  • Angled drilling requires special setup

HP

• Purpose: Unknown - possibly "Hauptprogramm" (main program) flag
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Common values: "0"
• Notes: Machine-specific, check documentation

SP

• Purpose: Spindel Parameter (spindle parameter) or special process
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Values:
  • "0" = Standard drilling process
  • "1" = Peck drilling
  • "2" = Drill with dwell
  • Other values = machine-specific cycles
• Notes: May enable special drilling cycles

YVE

• Purpose: Unknown parameter (machine-specific)
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Notes: Likely related to Y-axis positioning or validation

ASG

• Purpose: Aggregate Selection or assignment
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Common values: "1", "2", "3", etc.
• Notes:
  • For machines with multiple drilling heads, spindles, or aggregates
  • Common on HOMAG machines with drilling blocks
  • Selects which aggregate performs the operation

Description Parameters

KAT

• Purpose: Kategorie (German: "category") - Operation type description
• Format: String
• Common values: "Vertical drilling", "Horizontal drilling", "Milling", etc.
• Notes: Human-readable operation type for machine display and documentation

MNM

• Purpose: Machine Name or operation name
• Format: String
• Notes: Displayed on machine screen during operation execution

Machine-Specific M-Parameters

MX, MY, MZ

• Purpose: Machine X/Y/Z offset adjustments
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Common values: "0" (no adjustment)
• Notes:
  • Fine-tuning for specific machines or setups
  • Used to compensate for machine-specific positioning

MLM

• Purpose: Machine-specific limit or mode
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Common values: "0"
• Notes: Meaning varies by machine model

MXR, MYR, MZR, MLR

• Purpose: Machine X/Y/Z/L Reference mode
• Format: String
• Common values: "STANDARD", custom reference names
• Notes:
  • Defines which coordinate system or reference to use
  • May reference specific fixtures, pallets, or zero points
  • "STANDARD" uses default machine references

_MXF, MXF

• Purpose: Machine X Factor (scaling)
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Common values: "1" (no scaling, 1:1)
• Notes:
  • Allows for part scaling if needed (rarely used)
  • Values >1 enlarge, values <1 shrink
  • Underscore version is internal, non-underscore is user-facing

_MYF, MYF

• Purpose: Machine Y Factor (scaling)
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Common values: "1" (no scaling)
• Notes: Same as MXF but for Y-axis

_MZF, MZF

• Purpose: Machine Z Factor (scaling)
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Common values: "1" (no scaling)
• Notes: Same as MXF but for Z-axis

Horizontal Drilling Parameters <103 \BohrHoriz\

Horizontal drilling commands use similar parameters to vertical drilling with some additions:

Additional Parameters for Horizontal Drilling

KA

• Purpose: Kante (German: "edge") - Which edge to drill from
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Values:
  • "1" = Front edge (Y=0)
  • "2" = Right edge (X=LA)
  • "3" = Rear edge (Y=BR)
  • "4" = Left edge (X=0)
• Notes: Defines which edge the horizontal hole is drilled from

ZA

• Purpose: Z-Achse (German: "Z-axis") - Height position for horizontal drilling
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes:
  • Vertical position along the edge where hole is drilled
  • Measured from bottom of material (Z=0)

Contour Milling Parameters <101 \Kontur\

Path Definition Parameters

XE, YE

• Purpose: X-End, Y-End - Endpoint coordinates
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes: Ending position of a linear or arc move

XS, YS

• Purpose: X-Start, Y-Start - Starting point coordinates
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes: Starting position of a path segment

R

• Purpose: Radius - Arc radius for curved paths
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes:
  • For circular/arc interpolation
  • Positive = one direction, negative = opposite direction

DIR

• Purpose: Direction - Arc direction
• Format: String
• Values:
  • "CW" = Clockwise
  • "CCW" = Counter-clockwise
• Notes: Defines which way the arc curves

Groove/Dado Parameters <104 \Nut\

TIE

• Purpose: Tiefe (German: "depth") - Groove depth
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes: How deep the groove is cut

BRE

• Purpose: Breite (German: "width") - Groove width
• Format: String (quoted numeric value)
• Units: Millimeters or inches
• Notes: Width of the groove cut

File Termination

!

• Purpose: End of program marker
• Format: Single exclamation mark
• Notes:
  • Signals the end of the program to the controller
  • Required at the end of every MPR file
  • Controller stops reading after this character