VectorCam rotary 4th axis - Vector Plus

Since there is a lot of discussion and some guesses about the Vector rotary 4th axis capabilities, let me explain a few of the capabilities.

1) Standard plain old Vector can create substituted A for Y rotary code. Here is how it works:

This example is for a rotary A axis parallel to the X axis:

Draw the surface as a flat unrolled shape. The width in X is your part width and the X axis is your rotation line.
Draw the Y distance as the circumference. If you are using a cylinder, the diameter times PI (PI*D) is the length in Y. Inside this rectangular area, you may draw any flat or 3D forms that you want. Use Connect at Z to create safe retractions with rapids.

a) substitute A for Y using the NC text converter
b) scale the Y coordinate values by changing the Y scale to 360/(PI*D) This is done on the NC side.

your output will be rotary axis code. X-A-Z

Drawing tool paths parallel to the X-Y plane will result in a cylindrical projection. Drawing them with a plus angle to the X axis will result in a conical projection. All Z moves in the drawing will be preserved, including things like pockets and text engraving.

All this is included in the base Vector at no additional charge.

2) Vector Plus has several additional features that are not available in the standard VectorCam

-It includes 2 basic driver types. One for a rotary table setup and one for an articulated spindle setup.

-both drivers will produce simultaneous contouring programs for any 2 linear and a single rotary axis. That is 3 axis simultaneous contouring, one being rotary.

-Both drivers can automatically, mix and match X-Y-Z contouring and drilling, with X-Z-A type of code

-Both drivers can position with 5 axes simultaneous as X-Y-Z-A-B This is useful for machining details on a prismatic part that has several planes that are not at the usual angles that are found on a cubic shaped part (A0,A90, A180, A270). The plane is positioned to be perpendicular to the spindle ( or the spindle is positioned to be perpendicular to the planar surface ) and standard 3 axis cutting is done at that angle. Setup is for double rotary tables or double spindle articulations, take your pick.

The CNC code is produced from 3D geometry so what you see is what you get. There is no requirement to draw it flat and hope that you have visualized it correctly. The finished part toolpath directly generates the code. Vector has a wrap cylinder function that allows you to visualize the results of your flat layout, wrapped in 3D. This function is included in the standard Vector, but requires Vector Plus to directly create rotary axis output.

3) We recently released a new, complementary function in StlWork2. It can create a spiral toolpath from a solid model in STL format. The spiral is offset from the surface by the specified tool radius. It varies with the model Z and X changes as it is created spirally about the rotational center of the model. StlWork does not create the rotary axis code, but rather saves the compensated spiral as a DXF file. This DXF file is used by Vector Plus to cut the solid model with 3 axis rotary (X-Z-A for example).

The Vector plus option sells for about $500 and we discount it slightly for list members.

I hope that clears up any questions about the whys and capabilities. Please feel free to inquire if you have additional questions.

Best Regards, Fred Smith- IMService

Listserve Special discounts and offers are at:
http://www.vectorcam.com/cced2.html

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