Tool Head Properties dialog (PartMaker)

Use the Tool Head Properties dialog to specify details about the tool spindle on the machine, so that the tool spindle is displayed during Full Machine Simulation in PartMaker/Mill.

To display this dialog, click the Properties button in the Tool Head area of the Machine Data dialog.

Swivel Axis — If you are using a Vertical Rotary table, select the axis about which the tool head rotates. For all machines other than 5-axis Head-Table types, the swivel axis is automatically set to None to indicate that the tool-head does not have any rotary axis and therefore cannot swivel or tilt.

• Y Axis — Select this option to indicate that the rotary axis of the tool head is along the Y-axis of the machine. When selected, PartMaker displays horizontal tools along the X-axis during Basic and Full Machine Simulation.
• 45 Degree Line — Select this option to indicate that the rotary axis of the tool head is along a 45 degree line to the machine Y-axis lying in a ZY plane. When selected, PartMaker displays horizontal tools along the Y-axis during Full Machine Simulation.

  PartMaker programs all horizontal tools on a Vertical Rotary table as X tools. Although, PartMaker displays the horizontal tool along the Y-axis when 45 Degree Line is selected, it is still programmed as an X tool.

Pivot Point (P) — The Pivot Point is a point on the tool head through which the tool head rotary axis passes. Specify the X, Y, and Z distance from tool head edge to the center of rotation. This area is available only if you have a Vertical Rotary table selected.

Definition — Select how to want to define the tool spindle for the machine:

• Parametric — Select this option to create a parametric representation of the tool spindle from the values in the Dimensions fields.
• Solid Model — Select this option to use a solid model to represent the tool spindle. Click the Model Data button to select the model you want to use from the Model Data dialog.
• Components — Click to display the Components dialog, where you can specify which components of the tool spindle are displayed during Full Machine Simulation.

Dimensions — PartMaker uses these values to create a parametric representation of the tool spindle:

• Width (W) — Enter the width of the tool spindle.
• Height (H) — Enter the height of the tool spindle.

Home Position — Enter the coordinates (Xh, Yh, Zh) of the tool spindle at home position.

Travel Limits — Enter the coordinates (Min X, Min Y, Min Z, Max X, Max Y, Max Z) that define the travel limits of the table.

Note: If the tool head cannot move in one or more axes, the corresponding Travel Limits fields are unavailable.