Use the Tool axis limits page to control angular limitations of the machine tool, which therefore limits the angle at which a tool can be positioned while cutting a 5-axis toolpath.
Tool axis limits —Select this option to enable the settings on this page.
Mode — Select an option to specify what happens to the toolpath when one of the angular limits is met.
- Remove toolpath — Select to remove the toolpath outside the angular limit.
- Move tool axis — Select to keep the tool axis at the machine limit on reaching an angular limit.
Coordinate system — Displays the coordinate system that PartMaker uses to set the tool axis limits.
Angle limits — Use these settings to define the angular limits of the machine tool.
- Azimuth angle — Enter Start and End angles to define the angular limits of the machine tool in the XY plane. 0
is along the X axis; 90 is along the Y axis. - Elevation angle— Enter Start and End angles to define the angular limits of the machine tool above the XY plane. 0 is in the XY Plane; 90 is along the Z axis.
- Damping angle — A sudden change in the axis velocity can cause marks to appear on the part, using a damping angle can prevent these marks. Enter the angle away from the limits at which you want damping (slowing down) to start. If the axis is further away from the limits than this angle, then it remains unaltered. If it is closer, then the axis is gradually be pushed away from the limits. In this way, if the axis is moving quickly towards the limits, then it slows down gradually, starting when it gets to within this angle from the limits.
Project tool axis to XY plane — Select this option to project the tool axis to the XY plane. This is the same as setting the elevation angle to zero. Because the elevation angle is fixed, this constitutes 4-axis machining.