Multi-Slide Lathe Machine

This section deals with the multi-slide lathe machine that is available when the Multi-Slide Lathe Machining add-on product is installed in the Lathe Machining workbench. It describes:

• machine capabilities
• resource attributes.

Machine Capabilities for the Multi-Slide Lathe Machine

Multi-slide lathe machine comprises a number of spindles and turrets, which you specify in the Machine editor dialog box.

In the Turret and Spindle tabs of this dialog box, the presentation is similar:

• On the left, the list of turrets and spindles with command buttons to add or remove these entities.
  There must always be a minimum of one turret and one spindle.
• On the right, properties of the selected element are displayed.

Note that addition of turrets and spindles is only possible when Multi-Slide Lathe Machining is installed.

Turret Definition

Here is an example of the Machine Editor's Turret tab:

Each turret has a name, which will be displayed in the PPR tree next to the program with which it is associated.

Each turret has a number, which is output in APT output in place of MFG_CHANNEL_NUMBER in the program header or synchronization syntax.

You can specify the Turning Tool Axis System by clicking in the dialog box.

The Axial and Radial axes 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.

At the bottom of the Turning Tool Axis System dialog box:

• The angle defines the incline of the Turret Plane with respect to the ZX plane of the first spindle (that is, the Setup axis system).
• Radial and axial shift give the position of the origin of the axis system relative to the origin of the first spindle (that is, the origin of the Setup axis system).

For more information, see Axis Systems for Part and Turning Tool.

Tool Change point can be defined manually through its absolute coordinates (X,Y,Z). Since this point might be considered as the origin of the Turning Tool Axis System, you can use the button at the bottom of the Machine Editor to automatically set it.

Spindle Definition

Here is an example of the Machine Editor's Spindle tab:

Each spindle has a name, which will be displayed at the bottom of operation editor. Note that this is the case when there is more than one spindle on the machine. Otherwise the single spindle is used by default. It is output in APT in place of MFG_SPINDLE_NAME.

Each spindle has a number, which is written in valuated in APT in place of MFG_SPINDLE_NUMBER.

Spindle name and number can be valuated in NC_MACHINING_AXIS and NC_ACTIVITY_HEADER syntaxes .

Part Axis System defines the plane where tool path, replay, and time based replay are represented.
For more information, see Axis Systems for Part and Turning Tool.

Maximum Spindle Speed is taken into account for time computation in Machining Gantt Chart.

Counter Spindle Output

Counter spindle output is managed by the Use Spindle Axis system according to the Spindle involved on the Machining Operation checkbox in the Option tab of the Part Operation editor. This is for a Multi-slide lathe machine or a Mill-Turn machine.

• If this check box is selected, tool tip points are computed based on the spindle that is set on the machining operation.
• If this check box is not selected, the main spindle axis is used. This is determined by the default reference machining axis system set on the Part Operation.
  Note: To get the tool path points with respect to Counter Spindle Part axis system, a workaround consists of having a Machining axis system on the Counter Spindle Part axis system.

Example of Using Spindle Axis System According to the Spindle on the Machining Operation

This option provides tool path points or coordinates of the tool positions of the tool path for machining operations defined on the Counter Spindle with respect to Counter Spindle Part axis system. Machining Axis change definition is avoided.

Here is a view of the Multi-Slide Lathe Machine setup showing main and counter spindles:

A program is defined with one machining operation defined on the main spindle, and a second operation on the counter spindle:

The counter spindle is set on the second operation:

Replay of the machining operation defined on the counter spindle:

Sample of the APT output obtained for the program:

Other Counter Spindle Capabilities

The following counter spindle capabilities are introduced in V5R19:

• Prior to V5R19, Counter Spindle Axial axis needed to be parallel to Main Spindle Axial axis.
  Counter Spindle can now be defined at any angle to Main Spindle axis.
• Prior to V5R19, the tool path could not be located in the Turret plane if the Counter Spindle Part axis system was rotated by an angle (that is, if Counter Spindle plane was not at zero degrees). Now the tool path on the Counter Spindle is in Turret plane.

Resource Attributes for the Multi-Slide Lathe Machine

The Multi-Slide Lathe Machine (CATEMfgMultiTurretLatheMachine) resource attributes are described below.

Base Attributes

These attributes provide general information.

Numerical Control Attributes

These attributes characterize the machine controller and have an impact on the output format.

Spindle Attributes

These attributes provide information on the spindle and have an impact on spindle capabilities.

Turret Attributes

These attributes provide information on the turret definition and have an impact on turret capabilities.