PLANE SPATIAL

Application

Use the PLANE SPATIAL function to define the working plane by three spatial angles.

 
Tip

Spatial angles are the most frequently used definition option for a working plane. The definition is not machine-specific, meaning that it is independent of the rotary axes actually present.

Description of function

Spatial angles define a working plane through three independent rotations in the workpiece coordinate system (W-CS), i. e. in the non-tilted working plane.

Spatial angles SPA and SPB

Spatial angle SPC

All three angles must be defined even if one or several angles equals 0.

As the spatial angles are programmed independently of the physically existing rotary axes, there is no need to differentiate between the head and the table axes as far as the signs are concerned. Always use the extended right-hand rule.

The thumb of your right hand 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.

Entering the spatial angles as three independent rotations in the workpiece coordinate system W-CS in the programming sequence A-B-C is a challenge to many users. The challenge in particular is to take two coordinate systems into account simultaneously: the unmodified W-CS and the modified working plane coordinate system WPL-CS.

This is why the spatial angle can be alternatively defined by imagining three rotations layered on top of one another in the tilting sequence C-B-A. This alternative allows considering one coordinate system exclusively, meaning the modified working plane coordinate system WPL-CS.

Notes

 
Tip

This view equals three PLANE RELATIV functions programmed one-by-one, first with SPC, then with SPB and finally with SPA. The spatial angles with incremental effect SPB and SPA are referenced to the working plane coordinate system WPL-CS, i. e. to a tilted working plane.

PLANE RELATIV

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 SPATIAL SPA+45 SPB+0 SPC+0 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 spatial angle SPA+45, the control orients the tilted Z axis of WPL-CS to be perpendicular with the chamfer surface. The rotation by the SPA angle is around the non-tilted X axis.

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 by 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 spatial angles:

  • SPA+45, SPB+0 and SPC+90 for the second chamfer
  • Notes

  • SPA+45, SPB+0 and SPC+180 for the third chamfer
  • SPA+45, SPB+0 and SPC+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 SPATIAL SPA+45 SPB+0 SPC+0 TURN MB MAX FMAX SYM- TABLE ROT

The NC function includes the following syntax elements:

Syntax element

Meaning

PLANE SPATIAL

Syntax initiator for defining the working plane by means of three spatial angles

SPA

Rotation around the X axis of the workpiece coordinate system W-CS

Input: -360.0000000...+360.0000000

SPB

Rotation around the Y axis of the W-CS

Input: -360.0000000...+360.0000000

SPC

Rotation around the Z axis of the W-CS

Input: -360.0000000...+360.0000000

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

Comparison of views - Example: chamfer

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 SPATIAL SPA+45 SPB+0 SPC+90 TURN MB MAX FMAX SYM- TABLE ROT

View A-B-C

Initial state

SPA+45

Orientation of tool axis Z

Rotation around the X axis of the non-tilted workpiece coordinate system W-CS

SPB+0

Rotation around the Y axis of the non-tilted W-CS

No rotation with value 0

SPC+90

Orientation of main axis X

Rotation around the Z axis of the non-tilted W-CS

View C-B-A

Initial state

SPC+90

Orientation of main axis X

Rotation around the Z axis of the workpiece coordinate system W-CS, meaning in the non-tilted working plane

SPB+0

Rotation around the Y axis in the working plane coordinate system WPL-CS, meaning in the tilted working plane

No rotation with value 0

SPA+45

Orientation of tool axis Z

Rotation around the X axis in WPL-CS, meaning in the tilted working plane

Both views have an identical result.

Definition

Abbreviation

Definition

SP (e.g., in SPA)

Spatial