Acu-Rite CNC 3500i user manual Intersecting Points, Compensation Around Acute Angles

4.2 Tool Data

Intersecting Points

You cannot program a plane change during tool compensation. However, a 2-axis move off the currently active plane is allowed.

For example: The active plane (compensation in XY). You program an XZ or YZ move. The Z-axis reaches the programmed target as X/Y reaches its compensated target. Helical moves in the active plane are also allowed.

Program cancel compensation (G40) alone or with a move in the active plane. The move must be in rapid or feedrate. The move must be at least the tool radius in length.

The CNC “looks ahead” to following blocks in order to compensate correctly. When it “sees” an upcoming cancel compensation block, the CNC positions the tool perpendicular to the last move before the block.

The tool moves to a point perpendicular to the last move before the deactivation move.

Compensation Around Acute Angles

During compensation, the CNC finds the compensated intersection of moves and travels to that point.

On very sharp angles, this is not always desirable. For example, if you compensate along the outside of a 15-degree corner angle, the compensated intersection point is far away from the actual point on the work. Time is wasted by “cutting air” until the compensated point is reached. To save time, the CNC creates an arc around the end of the point on the work.

The CNC applies the arc where there are angles of 15 degrees or less. This can be set in the Setup Utility or in the program. To change the angle via program, set #1031.

Example: to change an angle to 10 degrees, program: #1031=10. Re-program this value to 15 degrees (default) when finished.

The CNC will automatically “round” the compensated intersection. The work remains a sharp corner.

82 4 Tool Management