Horizontal Boring Mill with RA Head

[gcode]

I've got a problem with a post I can't seem to solve.

 

The machine is a big HBM with a Right Angle head

 

The B axis is a standard horizontal mill table  ( full rotary)

 

The Right Angle  head spins about the Z axis in 5° increments controlled by M codes.

AT the moment, I don't really care about the M code output for the RA head as I'm just using it in  the vertical ( straight down) position

 

My file is set up looking down on the B Table in Top View

 

WCS would be Front ( looking down the Machine Spindle)

Tool Plane is Top for B0 table output.

My X Y and Z output is good.

 

The problem is, I cannot get B axis output.

I would think rotating Top about the Z and using the results a  Tool Plane

would get B output, but it remains B0 with X Y and Z out put correctly reflecting the new tool plane 

 

Can any of the experts point me in the right direction?

I've got no problem buying a post, but that is not going to get files to the machine this week.

 

TIA

 

 

 

these are my settings in the 5X Rotary Settings Field

 

#Assign axis address
str_pri_axis : "A"
str_sec_axis : "B"
str_dum_axis : "C"

#Toolplane mapped to top angle position strings
str_n_a_axis : "A"
str_n_b_axis : "B"
str_n_c_axis : "C"

#Machine rotary routine settings
mtype        : 1     #Machine type (Define base and rotation plane below)
                     #0 = Table/Table
                     #1 = Tilt Head/Table
                     #2 = Head/Head
                     #3 = Nutator Table/Table
                     #4 = Nutator Tilt Head/Table
                     #5 = Nutator Head/Head

head_is_sec  : 1     #Set with mtype 1 and 4 to indicate head is on secondary

#Preferred setup is pri. zero matches sec. zero/direction
#Zero machine and determine the planes perp. to axis rotations
#These plane combinations are valid:
#Primary plane   XY   XZ   YZ
#Secondary or    XZ   XY   XY
#Secondary       YZ   YZ   XZ

#Primary axis angle description (in machine base terms)
#With nutating (mtype 3-5) the nutating axis must be the XY plane

rotaxis1$ = -vecz  #Zero 
rotdir1$  = vecx  #Direction 

 

#Secondary axis angle description (in machine base terms)
#With nutating (mtype 3-5) the nutating axis and this plane normal
#are aligned to calculate the secondary angle

rotaxis2$ = vecy  #Zero       
rotdir2$  = -vecx  #Direction  

 

[EX-wccprogrammer]

I use the matrix (m1$-m9$) to control multi axis in my posts, but have all of mine set up around the top view.  I can provide calculation code if you would like to see how mine is done.

[gcode]

I'd love to see a copy of that just for the chance to learn something.

I have never messed with the matrix settings and don't even pretend to understand them.

I think we're going to seek professional help on this one.

[EX-wccprogrammer]

Nothing tough here, but keep in mind that this code is based on Top view being the spindle POV at A0 B0.

          if m1$ >= 0, aabs = asin(m7$)
          if m1$ < 0, aabs = 180 - asin(m7$)
          if m5$ >= 0, babs = asin(m6$)*-1
          if m5$ < 0, babs = asin(m6$) + 180

[EX-wccprogrammer]

The above code works for machining in a tool plane.  For full multi axis code, tool vector data is output from the multi axis toolpaths.  This vector data is used to calculate the A and B axes for each line.

[gcode]

thanks I'll see if I can figure this out once the morning fires are dealt with

[Colin Gilchrist]

HI Tom,

 

For programming a Horizontal, you need to use Top WCS, with Front T/C Plane. You also need to make sure the Machine Base Matrix is setup in the post to indicate a horizontal machine.

 

The real problem is that you are trying to define a rotary axis that exists sometimes, but then sometimes you want the tool to be pointing down, straight at the face of the tombstone, basically taking that secondary axis and rotating it 90 degrees.

 

The Generic 5X Mill Post has some logic in it to support limited RAH programming. I think in order to support all 5 deg increment positions, I would define your 2nd axis as the "0 degree" position when the RAH is being used. If you want to program in the "down" position, you would use the RAH settings (MR2 and MR10) to rotate the tool 90 degrees, so that it faces the face of the tombstone. Then when you are actually programming the RAH, the post functions like a normal 5X post, albeit with 5 degree increments, and not a full 5th axis.

 

Let me know if you need a hand setting this up.

 

Best regards,

 

Colin

[gcode]

thanks Colin, I didn't have any more time to invest in this project and was in way over my head as far as my post writing.

talents go.

We cut a PO to buy  post yesterday and it will be delivered next week.

[TheePres]

Gcode,

Who did you deal with for post?

We are in need of a right angle head post for our 5 axis SNK A,C head that would support working at tilted planes.