Setting Up Environment for Multi-Turret Lathe Machining

You can setup the environment for multi-turret machining. You must specify a multi-slide lathe machine in Machining Cell level to define turrets and spindles for Mill-turn operations in a multi-task and multi-axis context.

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About Multi-Slide Lathe Machine

  1. Double-click Part Operation in the Activities Process Tree.



  2. Set the following parameters on the Part Operation dialog box.

    • reference machining axis system
    • design part and stock, which allows material removal simulation later.



  3. Click Create a Generic Machine .

    The Generic Machine dialog box appears.

  4. Click Mill-Turn Machine to initialize the machine parameters.

  5. Select the Spindle tab.



    By default, the reference machining axis system defined on the Part Operation is assigned to the spindle.

    By default, the tool path points shown in Tool Path Replay dialog box and APT output are with respect to Part Operation axis system in spindle plane. You can also show tool path points shown in Tool Path Replay dialog box and APT output with respect to turret axis system. For more information, please refer to the Tool Path Points Based on Turret.

    Note: When the spindle is selected in the Spindles list, the corresponding spindle and the associated spindle axis system are highlighted in the 3D view. See 3D Feature for Spindles

  6. Select the Turret tab.

    1. Set the turret name to Upper Turret



      Note: When the turret is selected in the turret list of Turrets, the corresponding turret and the associated turret axis system are highlighted in the authoring window. See 3D Feature for Turrets

      Make sure that the Manufacturing Program called PGM UT is defined on this turret.

    2. Click Add Turret.
    3. Specify Lower Turret as the name for the new turret.

      The turret number increments automatically.

    4. Click Turning Tool Axis System and select an appropriate axis system in the authoring window to assign it to the lower turret.
    5. Set Turning Tool Axis System, Axial and Radial axes, and Tool Change Point parameters.



      Make sure that the Manufacturing Program called PGM LT is defined on this turret.

  7. In the Numerical Control tab, make sure that PPTableSampleMChannel.pptable is referenced in Post Processor words table.

  8. Click OK to confirm your modifications to the Generic Machine dialog box and return to the Part Operation dialog box.

  9. Click OK again to confirm your modifications to the Part Operation.