The Groove dialog box allows you to change the parameters of a grooving feature to suit the part to be machined.
Posting Parameters
The system allows you to choose between Separate Moves and Canned Cycles. When the Separate Moves option is selected the system generates each pass on the profile individually. When you select the Canned Cycle option the system generates the canned cycle defined in the post processor and one pass on the profile.
Cycle Type
Cycle Type - This box allows you to select what type of operation is performed. You have the choice of Turn Rough, Turn Rough/Finish, Face Rough, and Face Rough/Finish.
Step Over - The distance between each groove.
Z Allowance - This box determines how much material is left for finishing on the Z-axis.
X Allowance - This box determines how much material is left for finishing on the X-axis.
Stock Diam. - This box indicates the major diameter of the bar stock that is being machined.
Face Stock - This box indicates the start point of the toolpath generated by the system for Facing operations. This box is only available when you have selected Face Finish from the type box.
System Compensation
This box allows you to specify whether or not to use the tool collision detection when generating the toolpath.
Machine Compensation - This option allows you to select a method for applying tool nose radius compensation.
Off - When this option is selected, the system does not output any cutter compensation commands for the operation.
Comp Left / G41 - When this option is selected, the system outputs the command, specified in the post processor, for left compensation within the operation.
Comp Right /G42 - When this option is selected, the system outputs the command, specified in the post processor, for right compensation within the operation.
Groove Pecking
First Peck Amount - Sets the amount of material removed during the first entry into the material.
Peck Clearance - Sets the height above the material from which the tool speed changes from rapid to feed (for each peck).
Peck Increment - Sets the amount of material that is removed by each pass performed after the first peck.
Peck Retract - Sets the distance that the tool retracts between each peck.
Type
Default Rapid On Exit - When this option is selected, the system uses the default configuration for rapid moves to generate a rapid move after the completion of the feature. The default retract is Rapid on Exit to Tool Home X-Z.
Rapid on Exit to Tool Home X-Z - When this option is selected, after the operation has been performed, the system generates a rapid move in the X-axis first and then a rapid move in the Z-axis.
Rapid on Exit to Tool Home Z-X - When this option is selected, after the operation has been performed the system generates a rapid move in the Z-axis first and then a rapid move in the X-axis.
Rapid on Exit to Tool Home ZX - When this option is selected, after the operation has been performed the system generates a rapid move in the both the X-axis and the Z-axis on the same line.
Rapid on Exit to Cycle Start X-Z - When this option is selected, after the operation has been performed, the system generates a rapid move to the X-axis position issued at the beginning of the cycle and then a second move to the Z-axis position issued at the beginning of the cycle.
Rapid on Exit to Cycle Start Z-X - When this option is selected, after the operation has been performed, the system generates a rapid move to the Z-axis position issued at the beginning of the cycle and then a second move to the X-axis position issued at the beginning of the cycle.
Rapid on Exit to Cycle Start ZX - When this option is selected, after the operation has been performed, the system generates a rapid move to the X-axis and the Z-axis positions issued at the beginning of the cycle.
Rapid to Defined Point X-Z - When this option is selected the system generates a rapid move in the X-axis to the defined point and then a rapid move in the Z-axis to the defined point.
Rapid to Defined Point Z-X - When this option is selected the system generates a rapid move in the Z-axis to the defined point and then a rapid move in the X-axis to the defined point.
Rapid to Defined Point ZX - When this option is selected the system generates a rapid move in the X-axis and the Z-axis to the defined point.
No Rapid on Exit - When this option is selected the system does not generate a rapid move after the completion of the operation.
Lead In - Currently only a vector lead-In is available. This lead generates a linear movement by the user-specified distance from the beginning of each pass.
Lead-In Z - This value indicates the distance and direction of travel, in the Z-axis, the system generates for the approach into the profile.
Lead-In X - This value indicates the distance and direction of travel, in the X-axis, the system generates for the approach into the profile.
Lead-In Z2 - Allows you to set up a lead-in different from lead-in Z.
Lead-In X2 - Allows you to set up a lead-in different from lead-in X.
Override Z2/X2 - By default lead-in Z2 and X2 match lead-in Z and X. Select this check box to set up lead-in Z2 and X2 differently from lead-in Z and X.
Lead Out - Currently only a vector lead-out is available. This lead generates a linear movement by the user-specified distance from the end of each pass.
Lead-Out Z - This value indicates the distance and direction of travel, in the Z-axis, the system generates for the departure from the profile.
Lead-Out X - This value indicates the distance and direction of travel, in the X-axis, the system generates for the departure from the profile.
NOTE: For a closer look at the handling of leads, please refer to Lathe Leads.
Rough Pass - Grooving Tool
Insert Tab
Corner Radius - This value indicates the radius of the tool nose.
Tool Width - This box allows you to specify the width of the tool insert.
Theoretical Z - This value is defined as the imaginary sharp point of the tool in the Z-axis. This value is generated automatically when the tool orientation and nose radius are input into the system and is not normally changed.
Theoretical X - This value is defined as the imaginary sharp point of the tool in the X-axis. This value is generated automatically when the tool orientation and nose radius are input into the system and is not normally changed.
Tool Label - This box is used to add a name to the tool in the tool list that allows you to easily identify the tool.
Orientation Tab
Orientation Number - This box allows you to select a number. Each number corresponds to a direction the tool can face. This selection influences the ability of the tool to move into locations that are restricted by adjacent geometry.
NOTE: The Orientation Number is also the value that designates whether the cut is inside or outside of the geometry.
Mach Info Tab
Offset Register - This box indicates the register on the machine that stores the offset values.
Turret Position - This box indicates the location in the tool changer or turret in which the tool resides.
Home Position Z - This box indicates the home position in the Z-axis. The system utilizes this number when moving the tool to a home position and also uses this position to determine the starting location of the tool.
Home Position X - This box indicates the home position in the X-axis. The system utilizes this number when moving the tool to a home position and also uses this position to determine the starting location of the tool.
Feeds/Speeds
RPM - When this option is selected the system generates the feeds and speeds in the posted program based on revolutions per minute.
CSS - When this option is selected the system generates the feeds and speeds in the posted program based on maintaining a constant surface speed.
CW - When this option is selected the system outputs the command for clockwise rotation of the spindle.
CCW - When this option is selected the system outputs the command for counter clockwise rotation of the spindle.
Maximum RPM - This box is used to limit the rotation of the spindle. When calculating the speeds in the posted program the system limits the spindle speed to the value input into this box.
Rough SFM/RPM - The surface feet per minute (for RPM) or revolutions per minute (for CSS).
Rough Feed - This box indicates the desired feed rate for tool movement.
Finish Pass - Grooving Tool
Insert Tab
Corner Radius - This value indicates the radius of the tool nose.
Tool Width - This box allows you to specify the width of the tool insert.
Theoretical Z - This value is defined as the imaginary sharp point of the tool in the Z-axis. This value is generated automatically when the tool orientation and nose radius are input into the system and is not normally changed.
Theoretical X - This value is defined as the imaginary sharp point of the tool in the X-axis. This value is generated automatically when the tool orientation and nose radius are input into the system and is not normally changed.
Tool Label - This box is used to add a name to the tool in the tool list that allows you to easily identify the tool.
Orientation Tab
Orientation Number - This box allows you to select a number. Each number corresponds to a direction the tool can face. This selection influences the ability of the tool to move into locations that are restricted by adjacent geometry.
NOTE: The Orientation Number is also the value that designates whether the cut is inside or outside of the geometry.
Mach Info Tab
Offset Register - This box indicates the register on the machine that stores the offset values.
Turret Position - This box indicates the location in the tool changer or turret in which the tool resides.
Home Position Z - This box indicates the home position in the Z-axis. The system utilizes this number when moving the tool to a home position and also uses this position to determine the starting location of the tool.
Home Position X - This box indicates the home position in the X-axis. The system utilizes this number when moving the tool to a home position and also uses this position to determine the starting location of the tool.
Feeds/Speeds
RPM - When this option is selected the system generates the feeds and speeds in the posted program based on revolutions per minute.
CSS - When this option is selected the system generates the feeds and speeds in the posted program based on maintaining a constant surface speed.
CW - When this option is selected the system outputs the command for clockwise rotation of the spindle.
CCW - When this option is selected the system outputs the command for counter clockwise rotation of the spindle.
Finish SFM/RPM - The surface feet per minute (for RPM) or revolutions per minute (for CSS).
Finish Feed - This box indicates the desired feed rate for tool movement.
Select Tool - This button allows you to select a previously defined and saved tool. All of the values input for the tool are applied to the operation.
Save - This button allows you to save the settings in this dialog box as the default settings for future grooving features.