PLANE AXIAL

Application

Use the PLANE AXIAL function to define the working plane with anywhere from one to three absolute or incremental axis angles.

An axis angle can be programmed for each rotary axis available on the machine.

 
Tip

Because you are able to define just one axis angle, you can also use PLANE AXIAL on machines with just one rotary axis.

Please note that NC programs with axis angles always depend on the kinematics and therefore depend on the machine in question!

Related topics

  • Programming independently of kinematics, using spatial angles
  • PLANE SPATIAL

Description of function

Axis angles define both the orientation of the working plane as well as the nominal coordinates of the rotary axes.

The axis angles must correspond to the axes present on the machine. If you try to program axis angles for rotary axes that do not exist on the machine, the control will generate an error message.

As the axis angles depend on the kinematics, a distinction must be made between the head and the table axes as far as the algebraic signs are concerned.

Extended right-hand rule for head rotary axes

Extended left-hand rule for table rotary axes

The thumb of the hand in question points in the positive direction of the axis around which the rotation occurs. If you curl your fingers, the curled fingers point in the positive direction of rotation.

Bear in mind that when working with rotary axes layered on top of one another, the positioning of the first rotary axis will also modify the position of the second rotary axis.

Application example

The example below applies to a machine with AC table kinematics whose two rotary axes are perpendicular and layered on top of one another.

NC programs contained in this User's Manual are suggestions for solutions. The NC programs or individual NC blocks must be adapted before being used on a machine.

Change the following contents as needed:

  • Tools
  • Cutting parameters
  • Feed rates
  • Clearance height or safe position
  • Machine-specific positions (e.g., with M91)
  • Paths of program calls

Some NC programs depend on the machine kinematics. Adapt these NC programs to your machine kinematics before the first test run.

In addition, test the NC programs using the simulation before the actual program run.

 
Tip

With a program test you determine whether the NC program can be used with the available software options, the active machine kinematics and the current machine configuration.

Example

11 PLANE AXIAL A+45 TURN MB MAX FMAX

Initial state

The initial state shows the position and orientation of the working plane coordinate system WPL-CS while still non-tilted. The workpiece datum which in the example was shifted to the top chamfer edge defines the position. The active workpiece datum also defines the position around which the control orients or rotates the WPL-CS.

Orientation of the tool axis

Using the defined axis angle A, the control orients the Z axis of the WPL-CS to be perpendicular with the chamfer surface. The rotation by angle A is around the non-tilted X axis.

 
Tip

To position the tool perpendicular to the chamfer surface, table rotary axis A must tilt to the rear.

In accordance with the extended left-hand rule for table axes, the algebraic sign of the A axis value must be positive.

The orientation of the tilted X axis equals the orientation of the non-tilted X axis.

The orientation of the tilted Y axis results automatically because all axes are perpendicular to one another.

 
Tip

When programming the machining of the chamfer within a subprogram, an all-round chamfer can be produced using four working plane definitions.

If the example defines the working plane of the first chamfer, the remaining chamfers can be programmed using the following axis angles:

  • A+45 and C+90 for the second chamfer
  • A+45 and C+180 for the third chamfer
  • A+45 and C+270 for the fourth chamfer

The values are referenced to the non-tilted workpiece coordinate system W-CS.

Remember that the workpiece datum must be shifted before each working plane definition.

Input

NC programs contained in this User's Manual are suggestions for solutions. The NC programs or individual NC blocks must be adapted before being used on a machine.

Change the following contents as needed:

  • Tools
  • Cutting parameters
  • Feed rates
  • Clearance height or safe position
  • Machine-specific positions (e.g., with M91)
  • Paths of program calls

Some NC programs depend on the machine kinematics. Adapt these NC programs to your machine kinematics before the first test run.

In addition, test the NC programs using the simulation before the actual program run.

 
Tip

With a program test you determine whether the NC program can be used with the available software options, the active machine kinematics and the current machine configuration.

11 PLANE AXIAL A+45 TURN MB MAX FMAX

The NC function includes the following syntax elements:

Syntax element

Meaning

PLANE AXIAL

Syntax initiator for the working plane definition using one to three axis angles

A

When an A axis is available, nominal position of the A rotary axis

Input: -99999999.9999999...+99999999.9999999

Optional syntax element

B

When a B axis is available, nominal position of the B rotary axis

Input: -99999999.9999999...+99999999.9999999

Optional syntax element

C

When a C axis is available, nominal position of the C rotary axis

Input: -99999999.9999999...+99999999.9999999

Optional syntax element

MOVE, TURN or STAY

Type of rotary axis positioning

 
Tip

Depending on the selection, the optional syntax elements MB, DIST and F, F AUTO or FMAX can be defined.

Rotary axis positioning

 
Tip

The SYM or SEQ entries as well as COORD ROT or TABLE ROT are possible, but are not effective in conjunction with PLANE AXIAL.

Notes

 
Machine

Refer to your machine manual.

If your machine allows spatial angle definitions, you can continue your programming with PLANE RELATIV after PLANE AXIAL.

  • The axis angles of the PLANE AXIAL function are modally effective. If you program an incremental axis angle, the control will add this value to the currently effective axis angle. If you program two different rotary axes in two successive PLANE AXIAL functions, the new working plane is derived from the two defined axis angles.
  • The PLANE AXIAL function does not take basic rotation into account.
  • When used in conjunction with PLANE AXIAL, the programmed transformations mirroring, rotation and scaling do not affect the position of the rotation point nor the orientation of the rotary axes.
  • Transformations in the workpiece coordinate system (W-CS)

  • Without the use of a CAM system, PLANE AXIAL is convenient only with rotary axes positioned at right angles.