Cutter Comp Definition

[beege]

I've been reading a comp problem thread, and while I have nothing to add to the thread (I could, but it's well covered), one thing continues to irk me just a little.

It's the definition of G41 and G42.

G41 has always meant "cutter to the left of the programmed geometry" and G42 to the right. The Climb / conventional definition may work 95% of the time, but all I have to do to switch from climb to conventional is change from a right hand cutter to a left hand cutter, no re-programming necessary.

Just my $0.02

Beege

[mfgbydesign]

you must have an unusually large stock of left hand cutters.

[beege]

Originally Posted by mfgbydesign you must have an unusually large stock of left hand cutters.

No offense taken.

It's just about the definition, not about what I would or would not do.

[ger21]

I agree, Climb/Conventional has nothing to do with G41/G42, except to add confusion.

[Caprirs]

Add me to the list of left/right folks. Adding the climb/conventional always made things muddier for me.

[mfgbydesign]

I absolutely agree with the left / right definition. It has nothing to do with climb / conventional. Wonder what the other folks do when programming Tool Nose Radius Compensation on a lathe?

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by beege ... change from a right hand cutter to a left hand cutter, no re-programming necessary.....

On a mill, I would have thought the spindle rotation would also need changing?

[beege]

Originally Posted by Kiwi On a mill, I would have thought the spindle rotation would also need changing?

Of course, you're right. I left out that detail... sorry

[sinha_nsit]

And, as pointed out by somebody some time back, left/right directions are defined when the plane of compensation is viewed from the positive direction of the third axis.

[beege]

Originally Posted by sinha_nsit And, as pointed out by somebody some time back, left/right directions are defined when the plane of compensation is viewed from the positive direction of the third axis.

Right! I've worked with lathes where the X plus was toward the operator, and some where the X plus is away from the operator (slant bed especially). Since there is no formal Y axis, one has to figure out where Y positive is supposed to be, then program both TNRC and radius directions accordingly.

[stevo1]

And the water gets muddier and muddier with every post.

It does however help me rationalize one of my methods. Method #1.....I don't use cutter comp. I am confused enough on most days so I spare myself the agony of adding insult to injury.

Beege.....good thread. It is a great example of taking definitions with a grain of salt.

Stevo

[sinha_nsit]

And offset table can also have negative values for radius, interchanging the meaning of G41/G42.