Sub-spindle dialog

Note: Ensure Enable Turn/Mill UI is selected in the Machine Design Settings dialog to access the lathe design options.

If you are modeling a lathe with a sub-spindle, you must identify the solid representing the sub-spindle. Specify the solid in the Sub-spindle dialog:

To open the Sub-spindle dialog, select Machine Design tab > Configuration panel > Sub-spindle.

To use this dialog:

Select or pick the sub-spindle solid.
Click the Apply button.

This dialog lets you designate which solid represents the sub-spindle. In a sense, this is akin to the Top-most Table dialog, that is, FeatureCAM has to know which solid holds the part when cutting on the sub-spindle.

Note: If the stock is parted with a cutoff operation, the right-most stock becomes a child of the sub-spindle solid.

The Local Coordinate System of the sub-spindle is important in terms of simulating sub-spindle positioning features. Typically the sub-spindle is positioned with respect to a machine coordinate system and not the part program (or Setup) zero. Set the Local Coordinate System's Z direction to match the machining sub-spindle commands. That is, if the machine's sub-spindle moves to the left in response to a negative W (or sometimes B), set the Z direction of the LCS pointing to the right (like the main spindle or turning main setup). Sometimes the positive W axis points to the left, that is, the machine moves to the left in response to a positive W (assuming W=0 is the home position). You can set the home W and max W in the .cnc file (Edit the .cnc file, and go to CNC-Info > Spindles).

Here, the sub-spindle's LCSs (UCS shown) Z direction points to the right; this would be correct for a machine where a move the sub-spindle in to grab the part is a negative W and the move the sub-spindle home is a W of zero.