B Axis Turning on a DMG/Mori NT4250

[TSmcam]

Has anyone here got any experience with doing this sort of toolpath? I know B axis turning is more eye candy than anything else, but I have a customer who has a need to trial this type of turning method.

Their NT4250 is enable for this function, but there appears to be little to no documentation. Both TopSolid, and the NT4250 post support it, but I need to check the format.

Things like, does the full path have to be linear (ie point to point) or does the Fanuc control support B axis moves on an arc? And what modes have to be enabled?

[gcode]

We've got two machines here that in theory could do B axis turning
I'm sure our  Okuma VTM can do it but I haven't tried.
Mastercam supports B axis turning now, but I don't know if our Postability post
does or not.
It would be interesting to put a toolpath together and try it.
Some of the face profiles we turn on it would run better with B axis turning
IF it could maintain the required tolerance.
To me that's a really big if.
The typical tool on that machine is 8 to 10 inches long.
Now add a 320mm [12.598']  B axis pivot distance and you're looking at a 20" swing
I just don't believe you could hold a .005" face profile on a Ø40" part under those conditions.

[YoDoug]

We've got two machines here that in theory could do B axis turning
I'm sure our  Okuma VTM can do it but I haven't tried.
Mastercam supports B axis turning now, but I don't know if our Postability post
does or not.
It would be interesting to put a toolpath together and try it.
Some of the face profiles we turn on it would run better with B axis turning
IF it could maintain the required tolerance.
To me that's a really big if.
The typical tool on that machine is 8 to 10 inches long.
Now add a 320mm [12.598']  B axis pivot distance and you're looking at a 20" swing
I just don't believe you could hold a .005" face profile on a Ø40" part under those conditions.

B axis turning cycle in an Okuma is very similar to TCPC for milling. You should see similar tolerances.

[CNCAppsJames]

I did B-Axis turning on a Nakamura. I used a Curve 5-Axis toolpath with the proper vectors with TCP active. Worked like a charm. 

I asked CNC Software if they supported B-Axis Turning. They said no. I said ok... and did it anyway. :rofl:I used CAMplete TurnMill to simulate it first. 

[TSmcam]

The good thing is that standard TopSolid turning supports B Axis turning (and multi channel ) out of the box. No expensive addons...

The information for programming format isn't very forthcoming though If I needed Okuma information they would have had it to me in no time, but Mori Seiki isn't playing ball.

[TSmcam]

So, can anyone tell me if the code is point to point?

@James: Do you have any sample code? I would be interested to see it.

[CNCAppsJames]

So, can anyone tell me if the code is point to point?

@James: Do you have any sample code? I would be interested to see it.

Yes, and I'll see if I can dig it up.

[TSmcam]

Yes, and I'll see if I can dig it up.

Thanks James