[Spinnetti]

So about to program a part cut on all sides. I decided to use 4th axis to do rather than multiple vise setups. So do I just create a new coordinate system for each side, and it will know I'm trying to A index it, or is there some other trick I need to do?

Thnx

[Brakeman Bob]

Your post processor needs to be set up for prismatic machining. From the SolidCAM side of things, it depends on how your post is set up; for a part which uses just one work offset and say G68 or PLANE SPATIAL to position the rotary axis you have MAC 1 with multiple positions, for using separate work offsets such as G54, G55 etc. it is best to use MAC 1 pos 1, MAC 2 pos 1 and so on.

Then if you have a simultaneous fourth axis it is a very different kettle of fish.

[Spinnetti]

Your post processor needs to be set up for prismatic machining. From the SolidCAM side of things, it depends on how your post is set up; for a part which uses just one work offset and say G68 or PLANE SPATIAL to position the rotary axis you have MAC 1 with multiple positions, for using separate work offsets such as G54, G55 etc. it is best to use MAC 1 pos 1, MAC 2 pos 1 and so on.

Then if you have a simultaneous fourth axis it is a very different kettle of fish.

Thanks.. I need to check the post processor, but I meant in solid cam itself. Assuming I'm using one offset, how do I get it to select the "back" side.. when I select the back of the cad model, it still wants to use the front face as the reference.....

[Brakeman Bob]

In SolidCAM for 4th axis indexing, and a new MAC position with the Z axis pointing the wat you you want the too to approach from. Then make sure that is one referred to when defining your 'turnover' geometry.

For 4th axis simultaneous, there are two methods. The first is to define a 'WRAP" transform and the other is to use a 5 axis job. This latter method is far more powerful.

[Spinnetti]

In SolidCAM for 4th axis indexing, and a new MAC position with the Z axis pointing the wat you you want the too to approach from. Then make sure that is one referred to when defining your 'turnover' geometry.

For 4th axis simultaneous, there are two methods. The first is to define a 'WRAP" transform and the other is to use a 5 axis job. This latter method is far more powerful.

Got it. thanks.. will give it a try.. just doing 4th axis indexing for the forseeable future...