Charles:
The Deckel system is a bit different than most. On a normal machining center the "Z" axis is always the direction that one would drill with. So on a "Noemal" horizontal machine the "Z" axis is the one that is normal to the horizon across the machine (what a vertical guy would call the "Y" axis.
The Deckel calls out its axis movements as though th machine were always in the vertical mode,ie "X" is the long axis, "Y" runs at right angles to the "X" across the machine, and the "Z" is always the vertical up and down. To make the distinction when programming there are conditions that tell the machine what you are doing. First on my machine the tool clamp has a selector switch that changes the tool clamp/unclamp to either the vertical spindle or the horizontal. This switch is set manualy for me as i have no tool changer. The secondary function of the tool clamp selector is that it also reverses the spindle direction. On the FP-NC machines the mechanical arrangement makes the horizontal and vetical spindles run in opposite directions, so th tool switch takes care of the direction. When you run horizontal the speed code of "S+" means a right hand rotation of the spindle just as an "S+" does on the Vertical.
The other thing that changes is the prepatory code for the direction that you use for tool length compensation. On a Deckel you get : G17 , tool length compensation in the "Z" axis to allow the machine to run vertical. You get: G18 that allows tool length compensation in the "Y" axis to allow the machine to run horizontal. You also have : G19*1 and that gives tool length in the "X+" direction (can run the machine with the verrtical head swiveled at 90 degrees to the right to work on the side of a part) You also have G19*2 and that gives tool length compensation in the "X-" direction. (vertical head swiveled 90 degreed to the left).
As to using the horizontal/vertical in a program i don't mix the two. My machine has the change over to horizontal or vertical as a manual operation (there are some Deckels that can do this under poser and under program control)
I write opreations in th vertical mode as a seperate program from the horizontal. If possible and i need to use both modes i try to start in the vertical mode. The vertical change req2uires tramming when returning to run vertical (must swivel to get head out of the way to run horizontal)
Bu starting in the vertical mode and then switching to the horizontal no tramming is needed...just easier. There are tram locating pins on my machine that get close to squair but for fine work you must final with an indicator.
Cheers Ross