Preparing Custom Adapter Geometry

Introduction

This topic provides an overview of how to create custom geometry for mill-turn tool adapters.

Adapters

Adapters refers to the mounting blocks that are used to mount mill or lathe tools to the lathe turret (or milling spindle) of a mill-turn machine. After creating custom adapter geometry you assign it using the Adapter Library and the Tool Adapter Definition.

 

The The BobCAM software provides the flexibility to allow you to work to your own preferences, but the following information provides a general guideline on how to prepare custom adapter geometry.

Mounting Location on Turret Station

The following image shows one example of the mounting location defined for a turret station of a mill-turn machine. (This station is at the side of the turret.)

 

 

We use the mounting location that we defined for the turret station to decide where to create the mounting location on the adapter. The goal here is to match the turret station's mounting location and the adapter's mounting location.

Adapter Geometry and Mounting Location

The adapter geometry is created with the (CAD) origin aligned to the mounting location of the adapter. The direction of the X, Y, and Z axes is aligned to match the physical machine as if the adapter is mounted on the turret. (You can use any adapter orientation that is possible on the machine.)

 

Tip: There is some flexibility on how you define the origin location and axes directions for custom adapter geometry. For example, some adapters may be used at the front or side of a turret station. In this situation, you only need to properly define one orientation for each adapter. The BobCAM software allows you to shift and rotate these coordinate systems in order to mount an adapter at any turret location (front, back, or side) in the Tool Crib.

 

Define the Tool Mounting Locations

The next step after creating the adapter geometry is to dimension the tool mounting locations. This makes it easier to define the parameters in the Tool Adapter Definition.

 

 

By creating the adapter geometry and dimensions as explained here, the dimension values can be used in the Tool Adapter Definition.