4th axis programing help

[FTI2007]

I have a part that is 116" alumium casting bar that is twisted on a 42.4 deg helix. I need to drill holes in it and my reseller helped me with using axis substitution for the holes that are pointing at the axis center line. But I also have 58 holes that are not pointing at the centerline. How do I go about drilling those. We normally do not do this kind of work so Im scratching my head and waiting on my reseller to get back to me this morning and just thought I would post here since I didnt find anything with search button. Thanks in advance.

[GoetzInd]

Select your holes as entities, go into axis control-rotary axis control. Select rotary axis positioning and set it to whatever your rotating about. Post needs to be set up right though.

 

Mike

[FTI2007]

Ok I tried that but when i post it I get a g54 for 1 hole and g55 for the second hole. I have my everything set to top view. Back plot looks correct. I am using a gereric 4th axis post

[FTI2007]

generic hass 4th axis I meant to say.

[Colin Gilchrist]

The work offset numbers are incrementing automatically, because there is a change in the Tool Plane, and you have the Work Offset value set to '-1' in the toolpath. Change the value to '0', and Mastercam will only use G54.

[FTI2007]

I also get an posting error every time saying Only single-axis rotation is allowed! Angles may be incorrect. and I cannot seem to get it to post out an angle for A no matter how I set my planes. Not sure what I am doing worng.

[Bjorn Petersson AME AB]

Do as Mike suggested,

but also go into the View Manager and set the TOP work offset to 0 if you want G54.

 

Edit: As Colin suggested

[FTI2007]

i got the work offset set to 0. That I get. I just dont see what I am missing to get it to post out angles for A. All I get is A0.0. Im sure its somthing simple to that im overlooking. thanks guys for the help.

[Bjorn Petersson AME AB]

I think this post may be set to rotate about X, and you are trying to rotate about Y.

Am I correct?

[FTI2007]

I have my rotary axis control set to rotate about Y. I have a toolpath that uses the axis substition that posts out correct.So I do not know.

[Bjorn Petersson AME AB]

Does it post a good program, or is it just that you don't get error messages?

[FTI2007]

correct without errors.

[Bjorn Petersson AME AB]

But only for the holes pointing at the centerline?

 

I think you might have to change two things to have it work around Y.

* Locate the rotary in the .mmd-6 and point it to rotate around Y (if set to X)

* The change above would probably give you B instead of A, which you'll have to change inside the .pst

[Machineguy]

As stated by my teacher, Scott Lundin,

 

"When using a rotary 4^th axis on a VMC you must use WCS TOP for ALL operations. Only the T/C plane should be changed. This is what makes it index. You can use the Mastercam top and front plane for C/T planes. You cannot use the Mastercam Back or Bottom Plane as the X and Y axis will be reversed. Instead you should activate WCS top and C/T plane top, then use the planes button at the bottom of the screen, use “rotate planes” and set it to +90 around the X axis to get at features on the back plane."

 

Machineguy

[Bjorn Petersson AME AB]

Using different planes is another way to do it.

In cases where you are able to pick arcs, you don't need to use different planes.

(Instead you can enable rotary positioning)

As I recall, the generic post is set to rotate around X, so you should make some changes if you want to work around Y.

[Machineguy]

What is the certerline of the rotary axis revolving around. X, or Y ?

 

Machineguy

[FTI2007]

i am rotating about the y axis. I created planes for each hole and i still cant get it to work. I got 2 holes to work and all the parameters are the same but I have 55 that do not work. Im very frustrated. Im waiting on my reseller to get get to me now with ideas. I have wcs set to top and t/c planes set to corrosponding hole. not making money today.

[FTI2007]

I ll try to attach a file for anyone that wants to try to help. Im at a stand still and going home. I am having trouble with the .500 and .438 holes. Thanks in advance.

9462639.MCX-6

[Bjorn Petersson AME AB]

Hi again,

 

Could you attach a picture of how the part is placed in the machine?

You say you want to rotate around Y, but from the placement of the part(in the mcx) i figure you want to rotate around X.

 

BTW: When you use different planes to achieve the rotation, Rotary axis control should be set to No rotation.

[FTI2007]

Thanks I think I am getting it to work now.