For machines with right angle and other forms of exchangeable heads, it is recommended to define the head information using a TOOLNO post-processor command in the CL file (i.e., aptsource) or in the Machine:Startup macro of the post-processor. You can then simply use LOAD/HEAD,head_id to load the head, before using it. The TOOLNO command [...]
Workpiece compensation (e.g., G54, G55…) adjusts the axes of the CNC machine to account for the difference in workpiece origin between the as programmed origin in the CAM system and the as-setup origin at the CNC machine. Workpiece compensation provides the CNC operator flexibility in part setup, in much the same way as tool compensation [...]
CATIA uses a PPTable to create the aptsource file that is subsequently used as input to your post-processor. This PPTable defines post-processor commands for typical functions such as tool changes, speeds and feeds, coolant, canned cycles, and so on. Occasionally though, you may need to enter a post-processor command to produce special output or to [...]
ICAM’s CAM-POST post-processor is capable of running a wide variety of CAM system tool-path data (known variously as aptsource or CLFILE or CLDATA). CAM-POST can be run as a stand-alone process, separate from the CAM system, processing the CLDATA file generated earlier by the CAM system. More interestingly, CAM-POST can also be run from [...]
For the CAM-POST developer, it can sometimes be confusing to configure the rotary axes kinematics when a machine has two or more rotary axes of the same type, e.g., two heads or two tables. Rotary axes must be configured correctly to ensure that the desired output is achieved. To avoid any confusion, you must select [...]
While some 5-axes milling centers may have an unlimited rotary axis (usually a table), most others have hard travel limits on both rotaries, whether tables or heads. In some cases, these travel limits are due to the mechanical construction of the rotating device. In other cases, though, rotaries simply have restricted travel boundaries due to [...]
Does the following scenario sound familiar? You spent hours programming a part for a particular machine in your shop. You posted the toolpaths, verified and simulated each operation and got everything ready for machining. But just as you’re about to load your program, you realize that the machine is not available – either because of [...]
One of the common shortcomings of trunnion-table 5-axes milling centers (i.e. machines with two rotary tables) is that most post-processors will output rotary positions that orient the workpiece opposite to the operator. This is extremely inconvenient, especially when running the program for the first time, as operators have no way to visualize the machining process. [...]
Material removal simulation can be used to verify the cutting motions of an NC program, showing the effect of the tools as they cut the stock material (called the "in-process" stock). Many CAM systems provide tool-path and in-process stock simulation; however the tool motions are calculated in "part" space, without regard to the axes [...]
On many CAM systems, thread milling and hole milling operations generate helical interpolation motions in the CAM aptsource file. Prior to V20, the upper limit on any circular or helical motion was a full 360° circle, which resulted in multiple circular blocks being output by GENER to produce the helix. With V20, the complete [...]
