Re: CNC Part Setup

Hi Rob, Doug,

Good point! I hadn't thought about axis rotation before. Where is it
"commanded" on the machine (not a Gcode, I suspect)? By angle? Might
make for some interesting math. Starts sounding like CAD software!

How about "canned" touchoff routines? Tell it to find the part, and
save the coordinates in a file.

Alan KM6VV


doug98105 wrote:

>
> Hi Rob,
>
> Interesting.... I don't care for this method for the same reason
> Marcus mentioned. You can't manually debug the code easily.
>
> We have a fairly sophisticated controller on one of my mills. For
> irregular workpieces we position the part as you do, without having
> undo concern for it's relationship to the X or Y axis. By touching
> off one edge we find an angular value of how far off from true the
> part is fixtured.
>
> Generate Gcode as if the part was oriented with one or the other
> axis. Then as the first part of the Gcode we insert an axis rotate
> command of the previously determnined angle which allows the
> controller to treat all further Gcode as if the part was perfectly
> oriented.
>
> I realize this method is not available to most CNC'ers since their
> controls don't support axis rotation. I only mention it to show a
> possible use for it. It has very many other uses, especially
> combined with a repeat function. So, if you're ever in the position
> of buying a CNC and axis rotation is an extra cost option, I advise
> taking a hard look at it. It's an incredibily powerful option.
> Also, IMHO, those of you writing control software should include axis
> rotation.
>
> Doug