Best way to program 4-axis horizontal mill NX6
Best way to program 4-axis horizontal mill NX6
(OP)
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.
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.





RE: Best way to program 4-axis horizontal mill NX6
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
www.myigetit.com
RE: Best way to program 4-axis horizontal mill NX6
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
RE: Best way to program 4-axis horizontal mill NX6
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
www.myigetit.com
RE: Best way to program 4-axis horizontal mill NX6
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.
RE: Best way to program 4-axis horizontal mill NX6
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
RE: Best way to program 4-axis horizontal mill NX6
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.
RE: Best way to program 4-axis horizontal mill NX6
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
RE: Best way to program 4-axis horizontal mill NX6