
TOOL CENTER POINT CONTROL FOR 5-AXIS MACHINING
General
On a 5-axis machine having two rotation axes that turn a tool or table, this function
performs tool length compensation constantly, even in the middle of a block, and
exerts control so that the tool center point moves along the specified path.
(See Fig.1 (a).)
There are three different types of 5-axis machines - <1> those that rotate the tool
only, <2> those that rotate the table only, and <3> those that rotate both the tool and
table. (See Fig.1 (d).)
This function is intended to perform machining on such 5-axis machines having
rotation axes that turn a tool or table as well as three orthogonal axes (X-, Y-, and
Z-axes) by accomplishing tool length compensation while changing the attitude of the
tool. It enables the tool center point to move along the specified path even if the
tool's direction changes with respect to the workpiece.
A coordinate system used for programming the tool center point control is called the
programming coordinate system.
A coordinate system fixed on the table can be used as the programming coordinate
system, which makes CAM programming easy.
A workpiece coordinate system fixed on a machine coordinate system can be
employed as the programming coordinate system as well. Since Tool radius
compensation for 5-axis machining is programmed using a workpiece coordinate
system, that workpiece coordinate system must be used as the programming
coordinate system when tool center point control is implemented along with Tool
radius compensation for 5-axis machining.
In any case, the cutting speed can be controlled easily because the tool center point
moves at a specified speed with respect to the table (workpiece).
The commands that can be issued during tool center point control are positioning
(G00), linear interpolation (G01), circular interpolation (G02, G03), and helical
interpolation (G02, G03).
Program-specified
path
Control
point
Tool length
vector
Tool center
point
Fig. 1 (a) Path of the tool center point
B-63534EN/02-05
Edit
Apprv. Desig.
Sheet
Title
Draw
No.
Date
Design
Description
Date
FANUC Series 16i/160i/160is-MB,18i/180i/180is-MB5,
18i/180i/180is-MB OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Concerning the addition of TOOL CENTER POINT
CONTROL FOR 5-AXIS MACHINING
Oct.27.2003
T. Horie
2/2