Gantry milling machine interpolation

Hello everybody,

I'm in trouble. Any idea would be very appreciated.
Description:
I'm trying to setup a gantry equipped with Siemens Sinumerik 840D and 2 working channels (NC with 2 channels).

The purpose is to machine 2 different workpieces in the same time (see attached files). We use identical tools for machining, tool diameters between 40 and 63 mm and machining must be done in X+ direction.
Well, manual calculation of the second channel feedrate, based on the first one is not a helping idea.

I will provide more details to anyone interested.
Thanks,
gica2002

Hi,

I downloaded your zip file and took a look at your application. If I understand you correctly, the machine actually has 5 individual axes (X, Y1, Y2, Z1, and Z2). Of these 5 axes, at least 3 of them need to be coordinated (X, Y1, and Y2). You did not indicate that the two Z axes needed to be coordinated as well, so I will assume they do not.

Since your typical CNC controller appropriately adjusts the feedrate of each axis in a coordinated move, the controller should be able to do the job all by itself. Remember that the controller's goal is to finish all axis movements simultaneously. This means that it will adjust all axes feedrates with respect to the slowest axis in the coordinated move.

If you use a single 5 axis controller and assign each of these axes as a unique axis with the first three assigned as "coordinated" (X=X, Y=Y1, and Z=Y2), you should be able to write your G-code in the form G01 Xxx Yyy Zzz Fff and get the desired results.

Hope this helps.
Steve

If you look closely, one move is X-Y interpolation and the other is X-Z. Got me on how to do it. I an not familiar with Siemens controllers.

Yep. Your right. I missed that Z movement.

If I am not mistaken, a 4-axis coordinated move on a 5-axis controller would still do the trick in this case. As long as each axis move is called out on the same line of G-code, I can't see where there would be a problem.

Steve

I agree. He seems to have set it up as two individual CNC's, which will be harder.

Hi Steve, Rick,

Thank you for your efforts.
Yes, I think I'll need a 4 axis interpolation feature.
Take a look at this picture, another case.
For the first case it was easier to use a G01 or G00, for linear movement, but what about this one?

<IMG src="http://colony.host.sk/images/workpiece2.GIF">

Thanks,
gica2002

You can't in one pass. You will have to do each individually. After you circle interpolate the top radius you will have no x component, the milling can't continue on the bottom part.


Is this a class?

What Rick said. Can't do it.

Steve