Rotate Table Setup

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Navigation:  MILL Module > Creating Machining Operations > Setup >

Rotate Table Setup

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Rotate Table Setup

Rotate Table Setup

Machine SetupHere you can index the table to any specified angle and then lock the table in position.  This can then be followed by any of the allowable 3 axis machining operations, thereby allowing access to the part from different orientations.

MILL module allows you to create 4 axis index toolpath operations. 4 Axis indexing refers to the ability to rotate the part about the X (A) axis or the Y (B) axis and lock it in position in this new orientation and then perform standard 2 ½ and 3 axis milling operations in this locked position. Indexing is usually performed when you fixture the part in a rotary table.

Alert!User must set the Rotary Axis to X (A) or Y (B) axis before performing any 4-axis operations.

 

tog_minusPart geometry with multiple sides to be machined

This type of programming allows the machining of part geometry that has more than one side to be machined. An example of a shape that cannot be machined with a simple 3 axis toolpath is a sphere. Only one half of the sphere can be machined using 3 axis operations. The other half needs to be approached from the flip side in order for this portion to be machined. Using an indexing head as the one shown will allow easy reorienting of the part.

Alert!In order to utilize 4 axis indexing you must have a CNC control that supports a fourth axis and a rotary table or native fourth axis that can be controlled by the CNC machine.
tog_minusMachining Browser: Setup, Rotate Table Setup menu item

The Rotate Table operation is invoked by selecting the Program tab, clicking on Setup and Rotate Table Setup in the Machining browser.

Machining Browser: Setup, Rotate Table Setup menu item 

Machining Browser: Setup, Rotate Table Setup menu item
tog_minusDialog Box: Rotate Table Setup Operation

This dialog allows you to set the 4 axis table rotation parameters.

Dialog Box: Rotate Table Setup Operation

Dialog Box: Rotate Table Setup Operation
tog_minusAlign to

Active Construction Plane
Aligns the MCS to the orientation of the active viewport of the construction Plane.

Geometry, Select Surface
Aligns the MCS to a point on a selected surface.

Geometry, Planar Curve
Aligns the MCS to a planar curve (2D sketch) to determine the alignment of MCS.  

tog_minusTable Rotation Angle

The table rotation angle can be specified in absolute or incremental coordinate system.  When a rotate table operation is performed, the Rotate Table operation is listed in the Mops browser as Setup followed by a number (ex: Setup 2) and the MCS (Machine Coordinate System) is now oriented to the rotated coordinate as shown below.

Machining Browser with Rotate Table Operation listed as Setup 2 

Machining Browser with Rotate Table Operation listed as Setup 2

The picture below shows the rotation of MCS. The lines in Blue arrow represent the Z axis, Red represents X axis and Green represents Y axis. The rotary axis is set to X (A) axis.

Rotate 0

Rotate 0
Rotate 90

Rotate 90
Rotate 180

Rotate 180
Rotate 270

Rotate 270

Incremental Rotation
Rotates the table incrementally from the previous MCS orientation by the specified Table Rotation Angle about the rotary axis.

Counter Clockwise / Clockwise
Specifies the direction of rotation.
tog_minusReset to Original

Select this button to reset the dialog to the installation default settings.