I am looking for some general recommendations on methods of setting up work offsets on 5 axis machines. As I understand it, you basically have a few main options:
1) Use the center point of rotation as your origin on the machine and CAM software, and "move" the part inside the CAM to the exact same physical location it will be in the machine in relationship to the center of rotation. This allows you to use only one work offset for the entire part. The downside being that the job must be setup in the exact same spot every time, and small adjustments must be done at the CAM to shift the part.
2) Use multiple work offsets for the part, one for each new tilt and/or rotary position you need to present the part to the spindle (3+2). This allows you to setup the part however you would like to on the machine, and an exact relationship between the part location and the center point of rotation does not need to be maintained. The downside being added setup time to establish multiple offsets, and full 5-axis cutting motion is not possible.
3) Use one work offset on the machine and CAM, anywhere you would like on the part, and utilize the controller's advanced offset tracking feature (HAAS calls it Dynamic Work Offset, and Tool CenterPoint Control). This seems to be the best of both worlds.
Am I missing anything important here? Are any one of these methods more widely used in a High mix, low volume shop environment?
In my experience with Horizontal milling work, we always used method 2, as it was a quick turn around job shop and creating highly repeatable setups for every job was just not practical.
Thanks!
1) Use the center point of rotation as your origin on the machine and CAM software, and "move" the part inside the CAM to the exact same physical location it will be in the machine in relationship to the center of rotation. This allows you to use only one work offset for the entire part. The downside being that the job must be setup in the exact same spot every time, and small adjustments must be done at the CAM to shift the part.
2) Use multiple work offsets for the part, one for each new tilt and/or rotary position you need to present the part to the spindle (3+2). This allows you to setup the part however you would like to on the machine, and an exact relationship between the part location and the center point of rotation does not need to be maintained. The downside being added setup time to establish multiple offsets, and full 5-axis cutting motion is not possible.
3) Use one work offset on the machine and CAM, anywhere you would like on the part, and utilize the controller's advanced offset tracking feature (HAAS calls it Dynamic Work Offset, and Tool CenterPoint Control). This seems to be the best of both worlds.
Am I missing anything important here? Are any one of these methods more widely used in a High mix, low volume shop environment?
In my experience with Horizontal milling work, we always used method 2, as it was a quick turn around job shop and creating highly repeatable setups for every job was just not practical.
Thanks!