Right Angle Head (90 Deg Attachment)

Right Angle Head or Holder Support Required

This option specifies a 90-degree attachment or a right angle head control for a 3-5 axes mill. You will need to define a 5-axes machine type and program with MULTAX motion. For 3 or 4 axes machines, change to a 5-axes machine type and then return to this panel to update the settings such as suppression of the ABC axes output etc.

Starting Tool Direction for Right Angle Head

You can specify the starting tool orientation or axis direction. Alternately, you can use the GPost SET/HED-HOLDER command in the input file and change the desired holder direction later. The default is the NEGZ direction or what is specified in the Set/cmd.

Holder Number Address

Specify the letter address to be output with the SET/HED or HOLDER,n command to output the M or H code for the value "n". Set as "disabled" if none is required.

Holder Offset Values

These are offset values measured from the normal spindle control point along the orginal machine XYZ axes to the holder control point. If no offset, enter zero.

Output Suppresssion for 3 and 4-Axis Mills

For 3 or 4 axes machines, you may not need the ABC axes output. Select the desired axes that should be suppressed. Since MULTAX motion is needed, GPost will calculate 5-axes data to support this feature but will not output ABC.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) How do I enable this feature?

Enable this in the Optfile "Machine Tool Type" function on the Right Angle Head panel and select the desired tool orientation, or use SET/cmd as described below.

2) I am using a 3 or 4 axis machine - Optfile wants a 5-axis machine?

You need to define a 5-axes machine type and program with MULTAX motion. For 3 or 4 axes machines, change to a 5-axes a machine type and then use settings to suppress ABC axes output.

3) For a CA-machine, I do not want A-rotation for tool direction?

Go to the machine limits panel (the Axes tab in the "Machine Tool Type" function) and select automatic re-position mode. Here set the A-axis limit to 0 to 90 for a 90-degree limit. The GPost will use the second solution and rotate the C-axis.

4) Description of the SET/cmd

The following show the GPost format and PTC format

This command specifies a 90-degree attachment or a right angle head control for a 3-5 axes mill.

HED or HOLDER,n:

is the holder number that will generate the desired code (M or H etc.) as set in the Optfile. You must supply the value even if such output is not required in the tape file.

xo,yo,zo:

are the offset values measured from the normal spindle control point along the orginal machine XYZ axes to holder control point. These values must be given, even when zero.

Tool Orientation or Axis Direction:

The tool orientation or axis direction can be specified in one of the two formats using the POSX, NEGX word or with ATANGL-SETANG values.

Format-1:

Format-2:

GOTO/axis control:

Once a right angle head mode is set, then the tool axis in the GOTO/cmd will adjust the ABC axes output. For example, if you set a NEGX mode, then all GOTO/xyz,1,0,0 tool axis motion will not output any rotation since the tool is already pointing along the NEGX direction.

 

 

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