Makino A51nx Pallet Indexing

[Mic6]

In the video below, when the pallet indexes, what feature causes the tool to track like that? A Makino or Catia(software as stated in the comments) feature?

 

[Joe788]

G43.4 tool center point control.

[mkd]

looks like it is part of the program. my bad TCP more likely.

[Mic6]

Love that xxxx. Is there a way to make it more fluid, or that's just how it works?

[Joe788]

I'm guessing the post they were using breaks up 180 degree moves into 90 degree moves, to make sure the B axis doesn't try to go the other way. If you notice the way TCP works, when it's active, if you command a rotary move and no other axis movements, the linear axes will move to maintain the same position relative to the center of rotation. So that move you see when it does XZB interpolation - the whole line of code is just "B-90." and it moves the X and Z on it's own. You can imagine what would happen if the B rotated the part in the opposite direction - away from the spindle instead of towards it.

[YoDoug®]

We had an Okuma MB5000 Horizontal in our showroom for a little while that had TCPC. It was cool watching it move like that. The TCPC option corrects feedrates during full 4th cutting so you don't need to mess with DPM or inverse feedrates. It also allows you to program without having to know where your part will be fixtured before set up.