When Gibbs builds a Multi axis post for a mill/turn multi-spindle machine the do customizing to the interface and the machine setup files. These all need to work with the post or you will have issues.
On a standard mill/lathe with one cutting tool (spindle/turret) and one spindle (lathe) there is not a big issue. On a mill/turn machine with 2 turrrts and or spindles there are other things to consider.
#1 Machine size and travels of all axies.
#2 What things move, and how.
#3 Syncronizing of spindles and Turrets
#4 Extra Machine options (not in standard Gibbs) like;
Bar Feeder
Bar Puller
Part Catcher
Sub-Spindle Control
a. Sub Spindle In/Out
b. Part Shift (incrament pull with sub spindle)
c. Syncronized turning (both spindles on the part)
d. Using sub-spindle as live center
e. bar pull with sub spindle
Robot Programing
Steady rest in turret (fixed or chasing cutting tool)
Calculation of each turret position while using Constand Surface Speed.
Setting up machine size for length of travel from main to sub spindle. And last but not least PROPER RENDERING.
So as you can see there are MANY things that need to be custom added to the software to get the Multi asix lathes to work.
I would hate to try and do any of this without getting the software options in and then working with the post. Ground Support needs to make sure that they have all the paramaters in their product to support all possible funciotns of these mahcines.
Hope this helps.
GG  |