Most common 4th axis technique

[Chuckles the Clown]

What is the most common technique for 4th axis programming?

 

I'm doing some simple index work on a rotary table, and have found more than one way to achive what I want. I am wondering which is the most commonly used (which is probably the easiest and most reliable).

 

Do most of you use the WCS?

 

Thanks

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

I use the WCS to establish A/B 0, then I use T/C Planes to get the proper angles. Works every time, no editing.

 

HTH

[Jeremiah]

We program around center line and have the table/vice/fixture modeled exactly where it is at on the machine. Just define t-planes around the axis of rotation. This works quite well till someone stuffs it and you have to get everything back where it was. I think this has been covered before, but it will be interesting to see the feed back.

 

Jeremiah

[F. JAVIER]

Forgive my ignorance James, I also set WCS for every work offset, but my B axis command gets taken care at the post. Would you explain about how you deal with the A/B?

Thanks

[Charles Davis]

I find it best to go to the Top Cplane, and then select Cplane, Rotate, Y-UP, and input the index angle. I then Name that plane the same as the degrees of rotation, ex: 30.

 

I repeat this process to define all the angles of rotation before I program anything.

 

Then when programming, I select the rotation angle (by name). I also put a note in the comments field, ex: 30 DEGREES.

 

That makes it easy when I post to see the note (30 DEGREES) and on the next line or so read out the angle (A30.0) so I make sure everything is right.

 

Sounds a little labor intensive, but it really is not, and it's very reliable.

 

Consider saving an .mc9 file with all the common angle rotations pre-defined (0, 30, 45, 60, 90 ...). Import the Views from Job Setup so you don't have to do what I described above every time.

[Reece L Gibson]

Sounds like you and I do it the same Charles.

Depends on if I am positioning then doing 3 axis milling or full 4 Axis.

Depends how the operator wants to do it.

If he wants to mess with finding fixture offsets or he lets Mastercam do it and adjust it small amounts.(Model the set-up in Mastercam)

If you find the center of rotation and feed the software good numbers,it comes out right.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

quote:

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Forgive my ignorance James, I also set WCS for every work offset, but my B axis command gets taken care at the post. Would you explain about how you deal with the A/B?

Thanks

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No need to feel ignorant. I believe Charles stated it as clearly as I ever could so check out his posting.

[Elad]

Charles,

 

I do the same,the only problem is that after i finish all the ops,i have to go every op one by one to the t/c plane and unmark the "working coordinate system" box.

 

If i will not unmark it,the post will not output the rotation (.

what's annoying is that i can't select all,edit common parmeters,and uncheck this box to everything.it doesn't work.i have to do it one by one!

 

I also recommend that if you have a lot of planes to work on,write a number on the planes and when you save the name in the wcs,write the number too,and you'll not have to remember the angles.

[F. JAVIER]

Thank you guys, I'll give it a try and check how it works with our post because as it is set right now I construct and work from the front view and that was the method I used. I'll give it a try from the top, this is exactly what I enjoy so much from this board, you learn something new every day.

Thank you, F. Javier