Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re:4th axis rotary with a 3 axis control

Ron,

I also found the Max implementation of radius comp rather strange. My
previous experience was with a Bosch control. It had it's quirks too, if
you canceled comp at the end of a move, it would return the spindle to
center line right then and there! My boss at the time found this out the
noisy way. One had to either get the tool up clear of the
part/fixturing, or give it a move that would equal the offset!
For example, if using G41, a radius of .250, and moving in the Y+
direction, if you canceled comp without raising the tool, you had to
call G40 X-.250 (that would be incremental of course, in reality one had
to calculate the absolute location that .250 offset would equal)

The Max software, when making a linear move and calling radius comp
would often add up to THREE extra moves getting itself into position!
I learned not to get the tool into the part until it had gotten itself
"comfortable".

Ahha is different, I can cancel comp anywhere and it just sits there.
However, I've run into trouble trying to interpolate multiple holes with
comp active. So, I call the hole as a macro and in the macro start at
hole center, G92 X and Y, do my thing with radius comp, then cancel the
G92 with a G54.
Not saying that's the right, or best way, just that late at night with
nobody to ask, that's what ended up working, so I stick with it.

My experiences with radius comp leave me very cautious when dealing with
a new control until I see how it reacts.

Jon