Identifying components to include in collision checks

You can include static components in the .mtd file, such as a tool holder, so it is collision checked.

When you include a static component in collision checking, PowerMill recognises the component does not have a movement axis and only collision checks it against axis components (the moving components of a machine tool, including the rotary table) and not other static components.

Note: Some of the axis-components PowerMill checks the tool holder against are not necessary, such as the tool holder and the rotary table, because, although the rotary table moves, the two components can never collide. To stop PowerMill spending time collision checking such collision scenarios, you can add the scenario to an exclusion list in the .mtd file.

This example shows you how to add the following components so they are collision checked:

• Robot control
• Tool holder
• Table
• Base of the rotary table
• Base of the robot

Note: PowerMill displays static components in grey and axis-components in blue.

You need to specify a NAME attribute for each of the static components, as PowerMill collision checks components with a NAME attribute.

1. Open the Robot_cell.mtd file in an XML editor. This example uses NotePad++.

   Within the .mtd file, each static component is defined in its own section (referred to as parent elements in XML). Each static component is identified by a comment, for example: <!-- The controller is static -->, followed by the child element <machine_part>.

2. Edit the <machine_part> element associated with the controller by entering the attribute NAME="RobotCellController", so the element reads: <machine_part NAME="RobotCellController">.
3. Edit the <machine_part> element associated with the tool holder by entering the attribute NAME="RobotCellTool", so the element reads: <machine_part NAME="RobotCellTool">.
4. Edit the <machine_part> element associated with the table by entering the attribute NAME="RobotCellTable", so the element reads: <machine_part NAME="RobotCellTable">.
5. Edit the <machine_part> element associated with the base of the rotary table by entering the attribute NAME="RotaryTableBase", so the element reads: <machine_part NAME="RotaryTableBase">.
6. Edit the <machine_part> element associated with the base of the robot by entering the attribute NAME="RobotBase", so the element reads: <machine_part NAME="RobotBase">.
7. Save the .mtd file.

Each static component is now collision checked.