coverting from Right-hand to left-hand coordinate system

[eltonr]

Hi all,

I'm new to the world of CNC programming and had a question regarding left hand rules and right hand rules. Most CAD systems that I know of operate in the Right-hand rule coordiate system. The company that I work for has a Quintax CNC that operates in a Left-hand coordiate system. I will need to duplicate complicated trim lines in Pro/E and then pull datum point info from Pro/E and use this to help create the G-code programs. I run into difficulty doing this since pro/E and the Fagor controller G-code coordinate system are not compatible and It requires me to do some hand subtraction to get the datum point info correct. Is there any quick or easy conversion I could do other then using determinents to pull coordinate info from Pro/E directly into a g-code program i'm writing without having to do any hand calculations. I would ideally like to create a coordinate system in pro/e that looks exactly like that of the CNC coordinate system so that it's easier to visualize what i'm doing, the only problem is that as far as I know Pro/E does not allow left hand coordinate systems. Any help on this topic would be appreciated.

Thanks, Elton

[DAB_Design]

Just to see if I'm understanding you correctly, you have a model of a right hand part. But need to make a left hand (mirrored)? Sorry, I'm just not quite understanding what you already have and what you need to get from it.

[HuFlungDung]

Sounds to me like one of the machine's motors (and encoders) should be reversed. Is that possible?

[wjbzone]

Could the Z axis be upside down? Is Z positive direction the right way?

Bill

[eltonr]

you know I figured it out our cnc doesn't actually operate in a Left hand coordinate system it operates in a right hand system. The arrows on the machine give you the impression that it's a left hand system but in reality it's a right hand coordinate system.

Sorry for wasting your time.

[Al_The_Man]

I think what throws some people at first when faced with a standard mill, is that because the spindle is stationary in the X & Y the table has to move in the opposite direction in order to give the defined spindle movement.
Al

[eltonr]

yeah that's exactly what did it for me...if you sit back for a second and really look at it then it kind of makes sense.