A3: Axis Monitoring, Protection Zones
2.3 Protection zones
Basic Functions
Function Manual, 09/2011, 6FC5397-0BP40-2BA0
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2.3
Protection zones
2.3.1
General
Function
Protection zones are static or moveable in 2- or 3-dimensional ranges within a machine to protect machine
elements against collisions.
The following elements can be protected:
• Permanent parts of the machine and attachments (e.g. toolholding magazine, swiveling probe). Only the
elements that can be reached by possible axis constellations are relevant.
• Moving parts belonging to the tool (e.g. tool, toolholder)
• Moving parts belonging to the workpiece (e.g. parts of the workpiece, clamping table, clamping shoe, spindle
chuck, tailstock).
Protection zones are defined via part program instructions or system variables so that they completely surround
the element to be protected. The activation and deactivation of protection zones also takes place via part
program instructions.
Protection-zone monitoring by the NC is channelspecific, i.e. all the active protection zones of a channel monitor
one another for collisions.
Definition of a protection zone
It is possible to define 2dimensional or 3dimensional protection zones as polygons with a maximum of ten
corner points. The protection zones can also contain arc contour elements.
Polygons are defined in a previously defined plane.
Expansion in the 3rd dimension can be limited between - ∞ to + ∞ .
The following four cases are possible:
• Dimension of the protection zone from - ∞ to + ∞
• Dimension of the protection zone from - ∞ to the upper limit
• Dimension of the protection zone from the lower limit to + ∞
• Dimension of protection zone from lower limit to upper limit.
Coordinate system
The definition of a protection zone takes place with reference to the geometric axis of a channel in the basic
coordinate system.
