Delta Tau GEO BRICK LV User Manual
Turbo PMAC User Manual
294
Writing and Executing Motion Programs
Cutter Radius Compensation
Turbo PMAC provides the capability for performing cutter (tool) radius compensation on the moves it
performs. This compensation can be performed among the X, Y, and Z axes, which should be physically
perpendicular to each other. The compensation automatically offsets the described path of motion
perpendicular to the path by a programmed amount, compensating for the size of the tool. This allows
you to program the path along the edge of the tool, letting Turbo PMAC calculate the tool-center path
based on a radius magnitude that can be specified independently of the program.
Turbo PMAC supports both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cutter radius
compensation. In the older and more common 2D compensation, described immediately below, first
specify the plane of compensation, then the direction of compensation relative to the path and the radius
magnitude. In the newer 3D compensation, specify the surface-normal vector and the tool-orientation
vector, as well as major and minor radii for the tool.
Cutter radius compensation is valid only in LINEAR and CIRCLE move modes. The moves must be
specified by F (feedrate), not TM (move time). Turbo PMAC must be in move segmentation mode (Isx13
> 0) to do this compensation (Isx13 > 0 is required for CIRCLE mode anyway.)
performs. This compensation can be performed among the X, Y, and Z axes, which should be physically
perpendicular to each other. The compensation automatically offsets the described path of motion
perpendicular to the path by a programmed amount, compensating for the size of the tool. This allows
you to program the path along the edge of the tool, letting Turbo PMAC calculate the tool-center path
based on a radius magnitude that can be specified independently of the program.
Turbo PMAC supports both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cutter radius
compensation. In the older and more common 2D compensation, described immediately below, first
specify the plane of compensation, then the direction of compensation relative to the path and the radius
magnitude. In the newer 3D compensation, specify the surface-normal vector and the tool-orientation
vector, as well as major and minor radii for the tool.
Cutter radius compensation is valid only in LINEAR and CIRCLE move modes. The moves must be
specified by F (feedrate), not TM (move time). Turbo PMAC must be in move segmentation mode (Isx13
> 0) to do this compensation (Isx13 > 0 is required for CIRCLE mode anyway.)
Note:
In CIRCLE mode, a move specification without any center specification results in
a linear move. This move is executed correctly without cutter radius compensation
active, but if the compensation is active, it will not be applied properly in this case.
A linear move must be executed in LINEAR mode for proper cutter-radius
compensation.
a linear move. This move is executed correctly without cutter radius compensation
active, but if the compensation is active, it will not be applied properly in this case.
A linear move must be executed in LINEAR mode for proper cutter-radius
compensation.
Defining the Plane of Compensation
Several parameters must be specified for the compensation. First, the plane in which the compensation is
to be performed must be set using the buffered motion-program NORMAL command. Any plane in XYZ-
space may be specified. This is done by specifying a vector normal to that plane, with I, J, and K-
components parallel to the X, Y, and Z-axes, respectively.
For example, NORMAL K-1, by describing a vector parallel to the Z-axis in the negative direction,
specifies the XY-plane with the normal right/left sense of the compensation (NORMAL K1 would also use
the XY-plane, but invert the right/left sense).
to be performed must be set using the buffered motion-program NORMAL command. Any plane in XYZ-
space may be specified. This is done by specifying a vector normal to that plane, with I, J, and K-
components parallel to the X, Y, and Z-axes, respectively.
For example, NORMAL K-1, by describing a vector parallel to the Z-axis in the negative direction,
specifies the XY-plane with the normal right/left sense of the compensation (NORMAL K1 would also use
the XY-plane, but invert the right/left sense).