Best way to program 4-axis horizontal mill NX6

[pacific123]

HI,
I was looking for the best way to program toolpaths for a 4-axis horizontal mill with a B-axis rotary table in NX6. What I am trying to do is fairly basic: mill the first face with planar operations then rotate the table CCLW 90 degrees and proceed to milling the second face with planar operations as well. I was able to insert a ROTATE event after the first set of operations, but when rotating it produced a crashed "workpiece against toolholder" on my machine simulator. So I was hoping I could get some input from those who have done similar programs.
thank you.

 

[joycejo]

The tool axis position should cause B axis rotation. You should not need to put in a ROTATE command manualy.
For the second operation set the tool axis normal to the floor face.

If you post is correct you should get a B axis move



John Joyce
Tata Technologies
1675 Larimer St.
Denver, CO

http://www.myigetit.com

 

[pacific123]

John,

I tried what you suggested and it does rotate without having to insert the event manually. So thank you for that. However, I still have a collision between the tool and the IPW. Any ideas how to avoid collisions?
Thank you

 

[joycejo]

When are you having a collision? When you rotate?

Make sure you retract the tool far enough away between operations. You can set the Non-cutting moves for the final departure to move the tool to a clear location. You can also add a Machine Control opertion with a goto move to position the tool.



John Joyce
Tata Technologies
1675 Larimer St.
Denver, CO

http://www.myigetit.com

 

[xfv8]

I concur with what Joycejo implies by setting a clearance plane, which is under the Avoidance menu options.

Alternatively, you could reconfigure your post-processor, as my last company did on a Matsuura MC900-HG horizontal machine to retract all of the machine axes to machine-home positions (or some other safe position before any rotational B-axis moves - much safer.

 

[pacific123]

John,

yes, the collision occurred when it rotated 90 degrees. Would you mind clarifying what you mean by adding a GOTO move as a machine control operation?


XFV8,

Would you be kind enough to tell me how to do that in Postbuilder?

Thanks

 

[xfv8]

Would you be kind enough to tell me how to do that in Postbuilder?

I wish I could, but I've never been trained on Post Builder.:-(

Essentially, the sequence is as follows:-

1. Retract the tool axis (Z) coded G91 G0 G28 Z0

2. Move X an Y axes to safe position, (in my case G91 G0 G28 X0 Y0)

3. Unclamp the B-axis, (M22)

4. Specify the new B-axis position and new fixture offset
if you're using multiple machine offsets, i.e (G54.1 P2 B0.)

5. Clamp the B-axis (M23)

6. Respecify your tool length offset, (G43 H05 Zn.nn)

...and so on. Maybe someone more experienced in PB will be along soon.

 

[Jaydenn]

I would steer clear of adding "Machine control" events. There are more elegant ways to stay safe.

I included a .jpeg showing 2 easy ways to stay safe.

1. Set your automatic retract to a safe distance in the WCS dialog. Just make sure that all your operations use that particular WCS and they will all inherit the clearance.

2. Add a "go home" block to the end of operation event in postbuilber. The tool will go home after every single operation(with or without an axis change). Very safe. a good opportunity for machinists to check inserts/tool wear aswell.

Now, these are only 2 suggestions. There are many, many, many more ways to get what you want.

Disclaimer: If you edit your post, be very, very carful. Double check your code! then check it once more...

J

 

[pacific123]

Thank you gentlemen, I will give it a go!