PLANE VECTOR

Application

Use the PLANE VECTOR function to define the working plane by two vectors.

Description of function

Vectors define a working plane as two independent specifications of direction, starting from the non-tilted workpiece coordinate system W-CS.

Base vector with components BX, BY and BZ

NZ component of the normalized vector

All six components must be defined even if one or several components equals 0.

 
Tip

There is no need to enter a normalized vector. The drawing dimensions or any values which will not alter the ratio between the components can be used.

Application example

The base vector with components BX, BY and BZ defines the direction of the tilted X axis. The normal vector with components NX, NY and NZ defines the direction of the tilted Z axis and therefore indirectly the working plane. The normal vector is perpendicular to the tilted working plane.

Application example

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 VECTOR BX+1 BY+0 BZ+0 NX+0 NY-1 NZ+1 TURN MB MAX FMAX SYM- TABLE ROT

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 normal vector with the components NX+0, NY-1 and NZ+1, the control orients the Z axis of the working plane coordinate system WPL-CS to be perpendicular with the chamfer surface.

The alignment of the tilted X axis equals the orientation of the non-tilted X axis due to component BX+1.

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 vector components:

  • BX+0, BY+1 and BZ+0 as well as NX+1, NY+0 and NZ+1 for the second chamfer
  • BX-1, BY+0 and BZ+0 as well as NX+0, NY+1 and NZ+1 for the third chamfer
  • BX+0, BY-1 and BZ+0 as well as NX-1, NY+0 and NZ+1 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 VECTOR BX+1 BY+0 BZ+0 NX+0 NY-1 NZ+1 TURN MB MAX FMAX SYM- TABLE ROT

The NC function includes the following syntax elements:

Syntax element

Meaning

PLANE VECTOR

Syntax initiator for the working plane definition by means of two vectors

BX, BY and BZ

Components of base vector, referenced to the workpiece coordinate system W-CS, for orienting the tilted X axis

Input: -99.9999999...+99.9999999

NX, NY and NZ

Components of the normal vector, referenced to the W-CS, for orienting the tilted Z axis

Input: -99.9999999...+99.9999999

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

SYM or SEQ

Select an unambiguous tilting solution

Tilting solution

Optional syntax element

COORD ROT or TABLE ROT

Transformation type

Transformation types

Optional syntax element

Notes

  • If the components of the normal vector contain very small values, such as 0 or 0.0000001, the control cannot determine the working plane slope. In such cases, the control cancels machining with an error message. This behavior cannot be configured.
  • The control calculates standardized vectors from the values you enter.

Notes about non-perpendicular vectors

To ensure that the definition of the working plane is unambiguous, the vectors must be programmed perpendicular to each other.

The machine manufacturer uses the optional machine parameter autoCorrectVector (no. 201207) to define the behavior of the control with non-perpendicular vectors.

As an alternative to an error message, the control can either correct or replace the non-perpendicular base vector. This correction (or replacement) does not affect the normal vector.

The correction behavior of the control if the base vector is not perpendicular:

  • The control projects the base vector along the normal vector onto the working plane defined by the normal vector.

Correction behavior of the control if the base vector is not perpendicular and too short, parallel or antiparallel to the normal vector:

  • If the normal vector contains the value 0 in the NX component, the base vector corresponds to the original X axis.
  • If the normal vector contains the value 0 in the NY component, the base vector corresponds to the original Y axis.

Definition

Abbreviation

Definition

B (e.g., in BX)

Base vector

N (e.g., in NX)

Normal vector