TCP on an HMC?

[PAnderson]

OK gentlemen, this is a new one on me. And I will preface this by saying just because I have not seen this before doesn't mean it hasn't been done. We have a customer that purchased TCP(G43.4) on their horizontal machining center. So I am asking the 5 axis (4?) pros here if they have encountered this?  Possible? Advisable? Better options? I don't want to touch this one since I have absolutely no experience with this use of TCP. But since it's been thrown in my lap, I guess I will have to pursue this. Can anyone comment on this? I would have had no problem suggesting TWP for this application.


Paul

[CNCAppsJames]

If I bought an HMC I would absolutely get TWP and TCP on it. I wouldn't take delivery without it.

Inverse feed is old technology and I wouldn't even consider it anymore.

With TWP you'll only have 5 degrees of freedom to work with but it's better than the alternative of having to probe for B and use coordinate rotation for C.

I can probably rustle up some code if you want.

[PAnderson]

James,
Thanks, some code would be great. The issue at the moment is getting it to work. This will be the first time for me seeing TCP being put on an HMC. I see the benefits. We have the parameters to set but getting the machine dialed in will be the hard part. I'm in New Jersey but the machine is in CA. I have to work with a few of the guys at Ellison.

[CNCAppsJames]

The guys I knew at Ellison are all gone except for Ray (Manager)...

You're going to need their senior guy to get done properly.

I'll see if I have a code sample I can share.

[CNCAppsJames]

Here's some code I've run @PAnderson

There's a LOT of parameters you're going to need to get right... and the FANUC guys that install the options are going to be NO HELP WHATSOEVER. It'll be on your local AE to get things squared away.

%
<TWP_TCP_HMC_Code>(TWP_TCP_HMC_CODE)
(NC FORMAT = FANUC - GTECH 30I / 31I - [ G54.4 / G68.2 / G43.4 ] REV. D)

(*** BEGIN TOOL LIST ***)
(T10  * .191 CTS DRILL + MCAT40-SF6-80 SHRINK FIT          *    GL = 4.5232 IN)
(T390  * 3/8 X 1/2 X 1 1/8 LBS NECKED BALL ENDMILL - NCAT40-SK10C-90U   *    GL = 2.75 IN)
(*** END TOOL LIST ***)
(*)
(******* SET WORK OFFSETS *******)
(G90 G10 L2 P1 X-12.66681 Y-1.51446 Z-18.15945 A0.0 B0.0 C0.0 )
G11
(********************************)
(*)
G00G17G40G80G90G94G98
G49
G49G53Z0.0M05
G69
G05.1Q0
M05
M01
(*)
N10T10M06(.191 CTS DRILL + MCAT40-SF6-80 SHRINK FIT)
G49G53Z0.0T390
(DRILL 4X - B0.)
S7000M03
(UNCLAMP ROTARY TABLE)
G00G90G54B0.0
G68.2 X0.0 Y0.0 Z0.0 I-90.0 J-0.0 K90.0
G53.1
X0.75Y-0.75
(CLAMP ROTARY TABLE)
G43Z1.0H#517
Z0.1
G81X0.75Y-0.75Z-1.0000R0.1000F37.00
X5.0
Y-7.0
X0.75
G80G00G94
G00X0.75Y-7.0Z1.0
G00G90
G49G53Z0.0
G69
(DRILL 2X B90.)
S7000M03
(UNCLAMP ROTARY TABLE)
G00G90G54B-90.0
G68.2 X0.0 Y0.0 Z0.0 I-90.0 J90.0 K90.0
G53.1
X-1.0Y-0.75
(CLAMP ROTARY TABLE)
G43Z1.0H#517
Z0.1
G81X-1.0Y-0.75Z-1.0000R0.1000F37.00
Y-7.0
G80G00G94
G00X-1.0Y-7.0Z1.0
G00G90
G49G53Z0.0
G69
(DRILL 2X B270.)
S7000M03
(UNCLAMP ROTARY TABLE)
G00G90G54B90.0
G68.2 X0.0 Y0.0 Z0.0 I-90.0 J-90.0 K90.0
G53.1
X1.0Y-0.75
(CLAMP ROTARY TABLE)
G43Z7.0461H#517
Z6.1461
G81X1.0Y-0.75Z5.0461R6.1461F37.00
Y-7.0
G80G00G94
G00X1.0Y-7.0Z7.0461
G00G90
G130
G49G53Z0.0
G69
M05
M01
(*)
N390T390M06(3/8 X 1/2 X 1 1/8 LBS NECKED BALL ENDMILL - NCAT40-SK10C-90U)
G49G53Z0.0
M08
(TURN ON APPROPRIATE HIGH SPEED MODES)
(FLOW 5-AXIS)
S20000M03
(UNCLAMP ROTARY TABLE)
G00G90G54B-90.0(PRE-POSITION BELOW)
G68.2 X0.0 Y0.0 Z0.0 I-90.0 J90.0 K90.0
G53.1
X-0.5Y-0.8871
G69
(MOVE TO CUT POSITION)
G43.4Z-2.4257H#517
X-1.0Z-0.5
X-0.1
G01G41.2X0.0D#517F111.0(3D TOOL COMP ON)
X0.0006Z-0.4762B-87.273
X0.0023Z-0.452B-84.495
X0.0053Z-0.4275B-81.667
X0.0Z-0.5B-90.0
G40X-0.1(3D TOOL COMP OFF)
(BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH)
G0X-1.0
(HIGH SPEED MODE OFF)
G00G90G49
G49G53Z0.0
M05
M09
M01
M30
%