4th Axis Zero

[Stebedeff]

Hello to all,

I am having trouble with the zero position of my 4th axis! When I do some toolpaths on 4th axis and Verify they all look grate as well as in backplot. Now when I post the program and send to the machine it does not at all run the toolpaths like in mastercam. The only way it works is if I keep the WCS in the center of the part. The 4th axis is not an indexer!
Can someone help me with this problem. I've tried everything in my power and just found this out after messing around for 2 hole days.
My part is an axle and I need to make 4 "hollow" gaps every 90 degrees.
I'am just wondering if I can only do this by leaving the zero in the center of the 4th axis.

Thanks

[JDcam]

You might want to supply a little more info on what you are using, and what you are trying to accomplish.

I use a 4th axis on a table router very frequently, and yes, the mcam verify is not always accurate. there are some nuances with the usage of cplanes depending on your needs. At all times however (in our setting at least), yes, the rotational axis of the 4th has to be the same as one of the given wcs axis.

You CAN use it to index parts for machining (using the 4th simply to rotate the part into various positions for 'traditional' 3ax operations). It's a matter of setting the PLANE of the operation correctly, and setting up the cplanes respectively.

Give me a little clearer explanation of what your set up is like (which axis the 4th is on, are you using a router, mill, etc.), and maybe an image or something to explain what you are attempting to do, and I will do my best to walk you through it.

My reply may not be until later Thursday evening however.

[tstom]

Yes ,the zero must be in the center of the axis... that is how you are machining ...about the center of the X axis I assume so that is how your part must be in the drawing or have a WCS that locates it there


Verify doesn't know where your center of rotation is so it will look ok

[Stebedeff]

Thanks for the reply's!
Now I know for sure.

Greetings from Holland