PLANE POINTS

Application

Use the PLANE POINTS function to define the working plane by three points.

Description of function

Points define a working plane by using their coordinates in the non-tilted workpiece coordinate system W-CS.

First point with coordinates P1X, P1Y and P1Z

Second point with coordinates P2X, P2Y and P2Z

Third point with coordinates P3X, P3Y and P3Z

All nine coordinates must be defined even if one or several coordinates equals 0.

The first point with coordinates P1X, P1Y and P1Z defines the first point of the tilted X axis.

 
Tip

You can imagine that the first point defines the origin of the tilted X axis and therefore the point serving for orientation of the working plane coordinate system WPL-CS.

Ensure that the definition of the first point will not shift the workpiece datum. If the coordinates of the first point are to be programmed with the value 0, the workpiece datum may have to be shifted to that position before.

The second point with coordinates P2X, P2Y and P2Z defines the second point of the tilted X axis and consequently its orientation.

 
Tip

The orientation of the tilted Y axis in the defined working plane results automatically because both axes are perpendicular to one another.

The third point with coordinates P3X, P3Y and P3Z defines the slope of the tilted working plane.

To direct the positive tool axis direction away from the workpiece, the following conditions apply to the position of the three points:

  • Point 2 is to the right of point 1
  • Point 3 is above the connecting lines between points 1 and 2

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 POINTS P1X+0 P1Y+0 P1Z+0 P2X+1 P2Y+0 P2Z+0 P3X+0 P3Y+1 P3Z+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 first two points P1 and P2, the control orients the X axis of the WPL-CS.

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

P3 defines the slope of the tilted working plane.

The orientations of the tilted Y and Z axes result automatically because all axes are perpendicular to one another.

 
Tip

The drawing dimensions or any values which will not alter the ratio between the entered values can be used.

In the example, P2X may also be defined by the workpiece width +100. P3Y and P3Z can also be programmed by using the chamfer width +10.

 
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 points:

  • P1X+0, P1Y+0 , P1Z+0 as well as P2X+0, P2Y+1, P2Z+0 and P3X-1, P3Y+0, P3Z+1 for the second chamfer
  • P1X+0, P1Y+0 , P1Z+0 as well as P2X-1, P2Y+0, P2Z+0 and P3X+0, P3Y-1, P3Z+1 for the third chamfer
  • P1X+0, P1Y+0 , P1Z+0 as well as P2X+0, P2Y-1, P2Z+0 and P3X+1, P3Y+0, P3Z+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 POINTS P1X+0 P1Y+0 P1Z+0 P2X+1 P2Y+0 P2Z+0 P3X+0 P3Y+1 P3Z+1 TURN MB MAX FMAX SYM- TABLE ROT

The NC function includes the following syntax elements:

Syntax element

Meaning

PLANE POINTS

Syntax initiator for the working plane definition by means of three points

P1X, P1Y and P1Z

Coordinates of the first point of the tilted X axis, referenced to the workpiece coordinate system W-CS

Input: -999999999.999999...+999999999.999999

P2X, P2Y and P2Z

Coordinates of the second point, referenced to the W-CS for orienting the tilted X axis

Input: -999999999.999999...+999999999.999999

P3X, P3Y and P3Z

Coordinates of the third point, referenced to the W-CS for inclining the tilted working plane

Input: -999999999.999999...+999999999.999999

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

Definition

Abbreviation

Definition

P (e.g., in P1X)

Point