Machine configuration for 4 axis rotary moves

[grav400]

I have a three axis vmc. We currently run 4 axis positional rotations along the x axis. I am trying to program a 4 axis motion along surfaces. MC tells me that my machine doesn't have a programmable combination of linear/rotary axes to perform the operation. My post should be good. I think I need help in my machine definition manager to do what I need.

[iowajim62]

You might want to make a copy of your machine def before trying any of this first. Rename the copy VMC 4axis or whatever suits you. After that go for it. Your machine def should show X,Y,Table,A and Fixture components. If it doesn't show an A you will get an error. To fix your problem scroll in the left window to the VMC A, now just click and drag from the left window to the right window and drop an A axis after the table or fixture in the list. HTH

[austing]

When you say fixture components do you mean that I should put the rotary axis in with the a axis. If I do where does it go in the tree?

[Guest]

Why not open up one of the generic 4 axis machine defs that install with MCAM and see how it's done?

 

Also there are pdf files on the Mastercam.com website calling Working With MD/CD's.pdf, might be worth checking out.

 

hth

[cobra95kev]

Austing,

Welcome to the forum. Nice to see another guy from Wichita.

 

[austing]

Thanks,

 

Yeah good ol' Wichita.

 

Well, I figured it out. Had to sift thru the help pages MC has. Seems that you have to put the A axis as a sibling to the X axis. Then, you have to put a workholding device at the bottom of any axis combination. Haven't ever messed with this before.

[bogusmill]

If Merritt (MLS) chimed in I think we'd have all of doodah on here at once. Where are you at austing? I'm running Haas 5th axis machine right now. If your anywhere near the University you could come by and I can show you some things in MC if you haven't figured things out yet.

[austing]

I am located downtown by St. Francis Hospital. I would gladly accept any invitation to learn anytime.

 

You can email me at work:

 

[email protected]

 

 

Once again I really appreciate it. Have been learning a lot on my own. Can be difficult at times.

[bogusmill]

I'll be here today until 5pm today. I sent you email. I too have been learning this mostly with the help of this forum but I continue to be surprised by things that happen with this rotary axis stuff. Just too much to it to know it all.

[cobra95kev]

Hey Mark,

Hello from room 315 at NIAR. I am taking the V5 wireframe and surfaces class.