Machine Description for Advanced Simulation (PartMaker)

Motion Axes

Motion axes are defined in the Machine Data dialog for each machine component. They specify the directions in which a machine component can move.

Travel Limits

Travel limits sTravel Limitspecify the limiting coordinates of the machine, beyond which the reference point (see description below) of the machine component cannot travel. PartMaker checks that the reference point of the machine component is contained within the region bounded by the travel limits.

The availability of the travel limits depends on the motion axis of each machine component.

There are three ways to define travel limits. If the machine component can move in:

• Three axes: X, Y, and Z, the travel limits are defined as a box.

  

• Two axes (for example in XZ), the travel limits are defined as a plane:

  

• One axis (for example in Z), the travel limits are defined as a line:

  

Reference Point

The Reference Point of the machine component specifies the point which is used for positioning of the machine component in Advanced Simulation. Also the Reference Point is used for checking the machine component for overtravel. The Reference Point is shown as the yellow dot in the following dialogs:

Tool Post Properties, Gang Slide dialog

Tool Post Properties, Endworking Slide dialog

Tool Post Properties, Backworking Slide dialog

Tool Post Properties, Turret dialog

Main Spindle Properties dialog

Sub-Spindle Properties dialog

Standalone Tools

Standalone tools are tools that are not attached to any tool posts during Advanced Simulation, for example, a tool whose tool number is outside of the tool range specified in Machine Data dialog.

Multiple Tool Stations

Multiple Tool Stations are applicable only to the tools on the Turret. A Multiple Tool Station is the station on the turret that has more than one tool with the same Tool Number defined in Tool Data dialog. During Advanced Simulation only one tool on the Tool Stations is shown. Therefore, the tools that belong to the Multiple Tool Station will be switched on the Turret based on the sequence in the Process Table.