Axis Systems

Axis systems that can be used in a Multi-Slide Lathe machine environment are discussed below. Part Axis System can be defined for spindles and Turning Tool Axis System can be defined for turrets.

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About Multi-Slide Lathe Machine

Part Axis System

You can edit the Part Axis System (PAS) by clicking in the Spindle tab of the Generic Machine dialog box. The following dialog box appears:



By default, the Reference Machining Axis System defined on the Part Operation dialog box is assigned to the main spindle.

See Assign a Reference Machining Axis System

When same spindle is used in more than one Part Operation in a CATProcess, then setting PAS of the spindle in one Part Operation changes the PAS of the same spindle used in other Part Operation. This in-turn changes the tool orientation in Part Operation (say PO.1), if the new PAS set in another Part Operation(say PO.2) is different from PAS already defined in first Part Operation (PO.1).

For turning operations:


  • The main spindle PAS is the reference for tool compensation computation. Other spindles and turrets have no influence.
  • Part orientation is determined by the PAS of the selected spindle. Spindle axis must be defined from the chuck to the front of the Part. This is used for part orientation and location parameters.

For NC data output, a Machining Axis System change must be inserted in the program when changing spindle.

Turning Tool Axis System

Turning Tool Axis System defines the turret plane, which allows realistic representation for:


  • Tool positioning
  • Tool path visualization

The images below illustrate for a given tool (Setup angle = 0deg / Radial axis X) the behavior when moving (Cut/Paste) an operation from Turret.1 to Turret.2.





Note that milling and drilling tools are positioned according to the tool axis defined at operation level. This offers following advantages:


  • Reuse same tool definition in several turrets
  • Allows off-line NC Programming (no tool gauge required).

You can edit the Turning Tool Axis System by clicking in the Turret tab of the Generic Machine dialog box. The following dialog box appears:



Turret Plane Definition: Axial and Radial axis
The Axial and Radial axis of this axis system define the working plane of the turret for turning operations. Tool path, replay, and time based replay are represented in this plane.

This axis system can be any axis system. However, the working plane must contain the spindle axis that the turret works on.

Incline of Turret Plane: Angle
Defines the incline of Turning Tool Axis system, through its radial direction. The incline of the Turret Plane is with respect to the ZX plane of the first spindle (that is, the Setup axis system). The angle gives an incline measured from the radial direction of the main spindle PAS.



When the Turning Tool Axis system is rotated through the spindle axis of the main spindle PAS by 45 degree. The distance between the origin of the Turning Tool Axis system and the spindle axis of the main spindle PAS is unchanged.



The angle is an absolute angular position measured from the radial direction of the main spindle PAS (it is not a relative angle from the previous position).

When looking along the spindle axis of the main spindle PAS, the angle is positive in the counter-clockwise direction and negative in the clockwise direction.

Note: The Angle field is reset to 0, even if the current absolute position of the Turning Tool Axis system is not 0.

Shift Origin of Turning Tool Axis System: Axial and Radial Shift
This parameter shifts the origin of the Turning Tool Axis system , through its radial and axial directions. The position of the origin of the axis system is with relative to the origin of the first spindle (that is, the origin of the Setup axis system).

This shift is done in the turret plane defined by the radial and axial directions of the Turning Tool Axis system .

Radial shift: gives a shift measured from the origin of the main spindle PAS in the radial direction of Turning Tool Axis system .

The radial shift must not be less than 0. To shift a turret from above to below the spindle, the incline angle must be used.





Axial shift: Gives a shift measured from the origin of the main spindle PAS in the axial direction of Turning Tool Axis system .

The shift is an absolute position measured from the origin of the main spindle PAS (it is not a relative position from the previous position).

Note: Radial and axial shift fields are reset to 0, even if the current absolute position of the Turning Tool Axis system is not 0.