Head collision detection with 5 axis cam?

[Splint]

Hi,
something I occasionally wonder about is how 5 axis cam software (not any specific software) deals with clearence allowence and collision detection of the various different machine heads particularly in a 5 axis pocketing cycle. Theoretically if there was no method of compensation where a slot drill was in the horizontal position travelling down the virtical face of a pocket the head of the machine would crash into the bottom of the pocket.
To elaborate some more on my question I was thinking more of custom designed heads which is where some of the people on this group are headed in building their own 5 axis machines. Do the 5 axis cam packages allow an imported cad drawing of the machine which identifies the shapes of the critical machine componants and locations and range of travel of the axies?
I was just curius to know how this issue is handled.

Cheers
Splint

[JerryFlyGuy]

Splint, I'm no expert [ never used CAM software yet] but from what I read, in FeatureCAM you model your system's geometry and it will do the detection for you. Maybe some other FeatureCAM [or other systems] users could elaborate.

JerryFlyGuy

[Chris Welton]

I'm not sure about FeatureCAM (never had the pleasure of using it.), but we use CGTech Vericut. You use it to build and configure entire 3D virtual machines that run GCode, use complex and configurable control simulators, and STL based models of machine heads, tables, cutters, ect... It can not only be configured to check for collisions, but also can detect head rotaions on BC-rotary 5 axis machines and watch out for over-travels, fast feed rates, gouging, and undercutting (among other things). That said, it is very expensive and takes a quite a while to learn. (I've been using it for about 2 and a half years, and I'm still learning more about it constantly.) Most of the CAM packages that I have used don't do this all that well... It really is a seperate thing all together, due to the great complexity of it all. Here is a link to a page containing some of the machines that I have "made" on it, showing them simulating cutting billet aluminum.
http://www.incp.us/projects.html
Enjoy, Chris

[psychomill]

I'm not sure about FeatureCAM (never had the pleasure of using it.), but we use CGTech Vericut.

I agree,... Vericut is the way to go.

Most CAM systems don't self support this very well,... particularly when you're trying to detect collision beyond the tool or the holder.

[Dan B]

WorkNC has machine collision built in for 5-axis. You can set whatever you want to check for collision.

Dan