Cutter Compensation

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Cutter Compensation

Cutter Compensation is used typically to compensate for the difference in the dimensions of the actual cutter used in machining and the cutter used for programming in MILL module.  For example, if the cutter used in programming in MILL module is 0.25 inches and due to tool wear the actual cutter is only 0.24 inches in size, you can compensate for this in the controller rather than having to re-program the operation again.  Refer to the 2½ Axis Control Matrix for information about which toolpath operations support Cutter Compensation.

 

tog_minusEnabling Cutter Compensation

To do this you need to do the following:

1.Turn cutter compensation on in the Operation Set Compensation to Auto/ON or Control/ON.  
Note: Setting the Compensation to Auto/ON or Control/ON has the same behavior in MILL module.

2.Specify the cutter compensation value and the compensation register in the controller (the controller needs to be capable of doing this)
tog_minusA few things to watch out for:

Attention!Cutter compensation makes sense only in 2-1/2 axis operations.  If you are using roughing (pocketing and facing) the compensation will be turned on only in the final passes.

Attention!Make sure you are not using Zig-Zag cut traversal in any of the methods that you want to turn compensation on.

Attention!Make sure you have a linear motion for the controller to turn on the compensation value on.  If your first motion is an arc the controller will not be able to turn on the compensation.  Thus, in 2-1/2 axis profiling, make sure there is a linear entry motion for the controller to be able to turn compensation on.
tog_minusSelect the Post Processor from the Post Processor generator

Select the Post Processor from the Setup tab in Machining Browser by selecting Utilities and Post Processor generator.

Post Processor generator

Post Processor generator