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Southwestern Industries, Inc.
TRAK
KMX Knee Mill, Bed Mill & ProtoTRAK
KMX CNC Retrofit Safety, Programming, Operating & Care Manual
5.0
Definitions, Terms & Concepts
5.1
ProtoTRAK KMX Axis Conventions
X-axis:
positive X-axis motion is defined as the table
moving to the left when facing the mill. Consequently,
measurement to the right is positive on the workpiece.
Y-axis:
positive Y-axis motion is defined as the table
moving toward you. Measurement toward the machine
(away from you) is positive on the workpiece.
Z-axis:
positive Z-axis motion is defined as moving the quill
up or the head up. Measurement up is also positive on the workpiece.
5.2
Part Geometry and Tool Path Programming
The ProtoTRAK KMX CNC gives you ultimate flexibility in programming. Programs that
are entered through the ProtoTRAK KMX CNC system can be entered as either Part
Geometry or Tool Path (optional).
Part Geometry programming is the popular programming style of the ProtoTRAK family
of products. This is done by defining the final geometry of the part, and the ProtoTRAK
KMX CNC has the job of figuring out the tool path from the part dimensions and the
tool set-up information. This is a great benefit compared to regular CNC because it
doesn't force the programmer to do the difficult job of defining tool path. A
consequence of part geometry programming is that the following are not allowed:
•
connection of an incline plane and another event
•
connection of two events that lie in different planes
Using Geometry Programming, it is impossible for the ProtoTRAK KMX CNC to calculate
a tool path for these cases without creating a problem: in cutting the geometry desired
in the first event, the tool ends up out of position for the next event. Resolving the
difference in tool position where the first event ends and the next event begins means
either the CNC calculates and makes an unprogrammed move, or it retracts the tool out
and then back into the part.
These cases are not encountered often, but when they are you have the option of using
Tool Path programming. In Tool Path programming you define the events the same
way, but all inputs are treated as tool center. It is your job to calculate and program
the tool path.
Programs generated by CAD/CAM systems are always generated as Tool Path
programs.
