SolidCAM2006 R10.

1 Back Spindle in Turning and Turn-Mill

1995-2006 SolidCAM All Rights Reserved.

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Contents
1. Introduction.......................................................................................................5 2. Working with back spindle. ..............................................................................6 2.1 Operation-sequence #1: General use.....................................................6 2.2 Operation-sequence #2: Optimized tool use........................................8 2.3 Operation-sequence #3: Long parts machining...................................9 3. CAM-Part Definition. ................................................................................... 10 3.1 Coordinate System definition............................................................... 10 3.2 Clamp definition..................................................................................... 11 4. Back Spindle Operation................................................................................ 13 4.1 Parameters. ............................................................................................... 14 4.2 Eject sub-operation................................................................................ 17 4.3 Connect sub-operation.......................................................................... 18 4.4 PullOut sub-operation........................................................................... 20 4.5 CutOff sub-operation. ........................................................................... 21 4.6 MoveBack sub-operation. ...................................................................... 23 5. Back spindle activation in a SolidCAM Operation................................... 24 6. Back Spindle display in the SolidCAM Manager....................................... 24 7. Tool use in back spindle................................................................................ 25 7.1 Turning Tool. ........................................................................................... 25 7.2 Milling Tool............................................................................................. 28

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1. Introduction
supports the use of the back spindle in Turning and TurnMill modules. The new functionality enables you to use the back spindle of your CNC machine for the following applications:
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Turning and Milling machining with the part clamped either in the main or back spindles. The part is automatically transferred between spindles, thus enabling you to complete the part from both sides in a single set up. The back spindle can be used as the tail stock for the additional support of long parts. Both spindles are used simultaneously. The back spindle can be used also for pulling out parts from the back spindle, like a bar feeder. The back_spindle.prt exercise illustrates the use of the back spindle functionality for the Turn-Mill machining.

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2. Working with back spindle

Each milling or turning operation can be performed with the part clamped either in the main or back spindle. Once defined, the operation can be moved to the other spindle. The Back Spindle operation (see topic 4) controls the back spindle use. SolidCAM enables you to perform two types of Back Spindle operations: Operation with transfer. This operation enables you to transfer the CAM-Part from the main spindle to the back spindle. Operation without transfer. This operation enables you to use the main and back spindles simultaneously for the CAM-Part machining. There are several typical operation-sequences for working with the back spindle in SolidCAM: 2.1 Operation-sequence #1: General use There are three optional stages in this operation sequence:

1. SolidCAM Operations with Main spindle. At this stage only the main spindle is used for the milling and turning operations; this is the standard way of working in SolidCAM when the back spindle is nonexistent.

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2. SolidCAM Operation with both spindles. At this stage both spindles are connected; the back spindle works as a tail stock. This stage starts with a Back spindle operation without transfer.

3. SolidCAM Operations with Back spindle. At this stage the operations are performed with the back spindle only. This stage starts with a Back spindle operation with transfer.

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2.2 Operation-sequence #2: Optimized tool use SolidCAM enables you to define a combined sequence of operations that uses intermittently the main and back spindles. Each operation in the sequence is related either to the main or back spindle. The Back spindle operation with transfer must be applied at the beginning or at the end of the sequence.

Machining with the main and back spindle

Transferring the part to the back spindle

With this sequence the combined operations on the back and main spindles enable you to avoid unnecessary tool change (the same tool can work with the main and back spindles). At the beginning/end of all the operations the finished part is ejected from the back spindle and the partly machined part is transferred from the main spindle to the back spindle

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2.3 Operation-sequence #3: Long parts machining In this sequence the back spindle is used as a tail stock. All the operations are performed with the part clamped by both spindles . The Back spindle operation without transfer must be applied at the start of the operations sequence. Using the PullOut sub-operation (see topic 4.4), SolidCAM enables you to minimize the distance between spindle chucks and to perform the machining close to the main spindle chuck. This method enables you to minimize the effect on the machining caused by the bend deformation of the long part.

Bend deformation

Shortening the distance between chucks

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3. CAM-Part Definition
3.1 Coordinate System definition During the Coordinate System definition process, SolidCAM automatically creates Machine CoordSys #4. This Coordinate System is used for facial milling operations with the back spindle. The origin point of Machine CoordSys #4 is located at the intersection of the revolution axis and the back face of the part. The axes directions of the Machine CoordSys #4 are the following: The X-axis of Machine CoordSys #4 is directed in the opposite direction of the X-axis of Machine CoordSys #1. The Z-axis of Machine CoordSys #4 is directed in the opposite direction of the Z-axis of Machine CoordSys #1.
CoordSys #4 Z

X X CoordSys #1

For turning operations, Machine CoordSys #1 is used for the operations with the back spindle as well as with the main spindle; the turning tool movements are located in the ZX plane. Machine CoordSys #1 is also used for the facial milling operations with the main spindle.

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3.2 Clamp definition SolidCAM enables you to define different clamps for main and back spindles using the corresponding buttons in the CAM-Part Data dialog box. Same as the clamp for the main spindle, the clamp for the back spindle should either intersect or have a common edge with the part geometry.

Back Spindle Stock Material Main Spindle

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3.3 Part Settings The Part settings related to the back spindle are set via the Back Spindle page of the Part Settings dialog box.

Start with part in Back Spindle. This option enables you to specify the initial part position. If the part is clamped in the back spindle at the beginning of the machining, you have to activate this option. Single Pieces. When this option is activated, SolidCAM performs the machining of the part from a single piece of stock material; the cutoff procedure is not performed. When this option is inactive, SolidCAM performs the machining of the part from the bar stock. The cutoff procedure is performed when the part is transferred from the main spindle to the back spindle. The bar feeder is used to move the bar in preparation for the next part machining.

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4. Back Spindle Operation

The Back Spindle operation controls the back spindle use; SolidCAM enables you to perform two types of Back Spindle operations:

Operation with transfer. This operation enables you to transfer the CAM-Part from the main spindle to the back spindle. Operation without transfer. This operation enables you to use the main and back spindles simultaneously for the CAM-Part machining. The Back Spindle Operation dialog box enables you to define the general parameters of the operation and the specific parameters of the suboperations.
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4.1 Parameters

This page enables you to define a number of general parameters of the Back Spindle Operation.
Spindles Running

When this option is activated, the Back Spindle operation will be performed with both spindles revolving; the spindles revolution speeds are synchronized before the operation.
Control spindle operation

This option enables you to define the orientation of the spindles before the operation. The Main Spindle C-angle parameter defines the initial rotation angle of the main spindle around the Z-axis of the Coordinate System. The Back Spindle C-angle parameter defines the initial rotation angle of the back spindle around the Z-axis of the Coordinate System.

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Using these parameters you can orient the chuck so that the jaws will be coincident to the model faces to perform better clamping.

Part

Jaws

C-angle =0

C-angle =40

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Activate Air

This option enables you to turn on the air-blast cleaning of the jaws and chuck of the back spindle.
Feed

This parameter defines the feed of the back spindle movements during the operation.
Spin

This parameter defines the spin rate of the spindles revolution during the operation. This parameter is relevant only when the Spindles Running option is chosen.
Dwell time

This parameter defines the dwell time for opening/closing of the jaws.
Offset number

This parameter defines the offset number for the Back spindle.
Check torque

SolidCAM enables you to check the torque during the Back Spindle operation. When the torque is out of range (defined by Min. Torque Limit and Max. Torque Limit), the machining is stopped. Checking the torque enables you to prevent collisions between the part and back spindle during the operation. With some CNC-machines, the torque checking enables you to provide the close contact between chuck and flank faces of the part.

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4.2 Eject sub-operation This sub-operation ejects the part the from the back spindle at the start of the Back Spindle Operation.

This sub-operation is enabled when the Start with part in Back Spindle option is chosen for the CAM-Part (see topic 3.3)

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4.3 Connect sub-operation

The Connect page enables you to define the parameters of the spindle connecting to the part during the Back Spindle operation.
Rapid move upto

This parameter enables you to specify the absolute Z-coordinate up to which the rapid movement will be performed.
Feed movement Rapid movement Rapid move upto

The Pick button enables you to define the parameter directly on the model.

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Clamp upto

This parameter enables you to specify the absolute Z-coordinate of the front face of the jaws relative to the Coordinate System.

Clamp upto

The Pick button enables you to define the parameter directly on the model. When the back spindle is already connected, the Connect sub-operation is unavailable.

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4.4 PullOut sub-operation

The PullOut sub-operation enables you use the back spindle to pull out the part from the main spindle.
Pull out upto

This parameter enables you to define the incremental value of the pull out.

Pull out upto

The Pick button enables you to define the parameter directly on the model.

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4.5 CutOff sub-operation

The CutOff sub-operation enables you to cut off the part. This sub-operation is available only when the Single Pieces option is not chosen for the CAM-Part and the Back Spindle Operation with transfer is performed. The CutOff operation is similar to the Grooving operation with the Cut option.
Geometry

Define the geometry for the cut off operation.

Tool

Define/choose the grooving tool for the cut off operation from the Part Tool Table.
Use cycle

When this option is chosen, the cut off operation is performed using the built-in cycles of the CNC-machine.

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Cut Data

The Cut dialog box is displayed enabling you to define the technology parameters of the cut off operation.

For more information on the grooving technology parameters, refer to the SolidCAM Turning User Guide

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4.6 MoveBack sub-operation

The MoveBack sub-operation enables you to perform the retreat movement of the back spindle. If the Operation without transfer is chosen the retreat movement is performed without the part. If the Operation with transfer is chosen, the retreat movement is performed with the part clamped in the back spindle.
Retreat upto

This parameter enables you to specify the absolute Z-coordinate up to which the retreat movement is performed with the working feed. From this oordinate the rapid movement is performed.
Feed movement Rapid movement Retreat upto

The Pick button enables you to define the parameter directly on the model.

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5. Back spindle activation in a SolidCAM Operation

The Back Spindle option is added to the Geometry group of each SolidCAM operation.

This option enables you to specify the spindle that is used with the current operation. When the Back spindle option is inactive, the Machine CoordSys #4 cannot be chosen for the operation. When the Back spindle option is activated, the Machine CoordSys #1 cannot be chosen for the operation.

6. Back Spindle display in the SolidCAM Manager

In the SolidCAM Manager, operations related to the main/back spindle are preceded by the corresponding main and back spindle icons.

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7. Tool use in back spindle

SolidCAM provides you with extended functionality for tool definition in order to enable you to use the tools effectively with the back spindle. 7.1 Turning Tool

Tool Number/Position

Turning and Turn-Mill machines enable you to place a number of tools in the same position of the tool magazine using a special holder. Each tool clamped on such holder has its own offset number in the table of the CNC-controller. With the combination of the Tool Number/Position parameters, SolidCAM enables you to define several tools (milling and turning) using the same holder. The Tool Number specifies the number of the tool magazine position where the tool holder is located. With the Position you can define the offset number of the current tool. When you define a new tool with an already existing tool number, a new Position is automatically assigned.
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Spin direction

This parameter enables you to define the spindle orientation when working with a CNC-Controller with B-axis support.

Spin direction = 0

Spin direction = 90

Application direction

The Application direction parameter enables you to rotate the tool to perform the machining from different sides. Tools with the same geometry, but with different rotation, can be mounted on the same tool holder; the Tool Number of such tools is the same.
Application direction = 0

Application direction = 90

Right Tool Orientation

Left Tool Orientation

When the CNC-controller with B-axis is used, SolidCAM enables you to change the Application direction for the specific operation with the Turning Tool data dialog box.

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Change type

Change type option enables you to define the way the tools are changed.
Linear.

The tool change is performed with a linear movement of the tool holder. This method is suitable for tools mounted on the same tool holder. The X and Z parameters define the coordinates where the tool change will be performed. The First movement option enables you to choose the first movement axis (X or Z)
Z

Turret. This option enables you to change the tool using the turret. The

X and Z parameters enables you to define the location where the tool is changed.

This option is available only for CNC-Controllers that have a turret mechanism for the tool change.
B-axis.

The tool is changed using the B-axis. This option is available only for CNC-Controllers with Baxis support.

The Change type parameter assigned to the tool can be changed for the specific operation using the Turning Tool Data dialog box.

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7.2 Milling Tool

Direction

The Direction parameter enables you to define the position of the milling tool on a holder/turret.
From Face. The tool is oriented to perform the facial machining

of the part in the main spindle.

The milling tool with the From Face direction can be used only with the suitable coordinate system (Machine CoordSys #1).

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From Back.

The tool is oriented to perform the facial machining of the part in back spindle.

The milling tool with the From Back direction can be used only with the suitable coordinate system (Machine CoordSys #4).
From OD. The tool is oriented to perform the radial machining

of the part in the main and back spindle.

The milling tool with the From OD direction can be used only with the suitable coordinate system (Machine CoordSys #2).

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On B-axis. The tool is oriented using the B-axis to perform the facial and radial machining of the part.

The milling tool with the On B-axis direction can be used with all coordinate systems. This option is available only for CNC-Controllers with the B-axis support.

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