[camtd]

I am looking to turn a simple alumium part or a machining center with a Fanuc 16i control. The rotary table is a full 4th axis. The material is alumium with .010 coming off the I.D.

Is there a way write code that is not real long to have the rotary table turn at a continous RPM of say 1200 and feed Z-3.00 at a feedrate of .008 I.P.R.?

Thank You

[dcoupar]

Do you know the max. programmable feedrate of your 4th axis?

I've just looked at a couple of examples, and max was 88.9 RPM on one and 30 RPM on the other. I'd be surprised if your 4th axis will feed anywhere near 1200 RPM.

I believe the maximum programmable rotary dimension on a 16i is 99,999.999 degrees, and the maximum programmable rotary feed is 240,000 degrees/minute.

Your example of 1200RPM would require a programmed feedrate of 432,000 degrees/minute, so I don't believe you can get there from here... but I could be wrong.

[fordav11]

you are correct. it is not possible to do real lathe 'turning' with a 4th axis rotary table.
this is the primary reason why multi-axis turn-mill machines are popular.
FYI the same question has come up here a few times and similar answers were given.... either turn it on a lathe first or get a turn-mill machine.

[drdos]

You have to run your 4th axis as a PMC controlled axis. You will have to modify the ladder to do this. Also, you must add an M-Code to activate the 4th axis as a PMC controlled axis and anther M code to revert back to CNC controlled axis. And most important like Dcoupar says, make sure your 4th axis can safely handle those speeds.