90deg Head Tool Length Compensation

[christinandavid]

Hi,

We have a 90 degree head attachment for our horizontal. This head is fixed at 90deg but can be manually adjusted and rotated a full 360 about the main spindle axis.

I want to be able to invoke tool length compensation with the tool set at any rotation, not just parallel to the X(G19) or Y(G18). Looking at the manuals there seem to be functions available for a fully functioning 5-axis machine, but my 3-and-a-B-axis control (31i) does not recognise these codes, unsurprisingly.

Have also noticed that certain system parameters can be set for a theoretical axis/tool holder attachment, but I don't want to have to keep altering system parameters every time I reset the head.

I have considered incorporating a further offset into our existing B-axis offset macro to shift the tool tip onto position, but first wanted to check that I haven't missed a blindingly obvious, simple and elegant solution. I have already tried various program formats, but no combination of rotations and working plane definitions does the trick.

Has anyone got a suggestion as to the best solution?

DP

[christinandavid]

Still waiting...



DP

[f-bu]

As you can guess, all these sweets are options, your nearest Fanuc office will be happy to get the money