NC Preferences > Fixture Offsets

A fixture offset is a datum coordinate that you specify and then apply to a copy of a toolpath. This enables you to shift the toolpath—without needing to recalculate it—so it can be machined in a new position. A fixture offset also enables you to make last-minute adjustments to the position of a toolpath, as you can use the machine tool controller to change the values of the fixture offset on the tape file.

Tip: If you want to machine the same toolpath more than a couple of times, you should use the Move option on the Toolpath Transform toolbar.

PowerMill has two levels of Fixture offset that have a parent-child relationship:

• This Fixture offset tab is the parent tab and its settings define the fixture offsets inherited by the child Fixture offset tabs.

  

• There is a child Fixture offset tab available from every NC program dialog. The tab enables you to specify the fixture offsets you can apply to the toolpaths in the associated NC program.

To display the parent tab, in the Explorer, right-click NC Programs and select Preferences > Fixture Offset tab.

This tab contains the following:

Name — Enter the name of the fixture offset.

The names you specify for the fixture offsets must be recognised by the option file that writes the NC program. For example, an option file for a Fanuc machine tool controller recognises G-codes (for example, G55, G56, and G57).

Add Fixture Offset — Click to add the fixture offset to the Fixture offset table.

Fixture offset table — The table displays each fixture offset and its coordinates. To enter or change a coordinate, enter the coordinates in the X, Y, or Z boxes.

You can leave the X, Y, and Z boxes blank, and specify the coordinates on the machine tool controller.

Reset Fixture Offset — Click to reset the coordinates of the selected fixture offset to 0.0.

Delete Fixture Offset — Click to delete the selected fixture offset from the Fixture offset table.