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Understand the importance of kinematic settings in machine definitions.
Type:
Tutorial
Length:
4 min.
Transcript
00:03
For CNC machines, a machine definition includes information about its kinematics,
00:09
which describes how the physical CNC machine moves when running NC code.
00:14
Understanding kinematics is important for helping to ensure accurate simulations and generating reliable NC code.
00:22
When copying machine definitions from the Fusion Machine Library,
00:26
it is important to review the settings and make any necessary adjustments.
00:31
You can review some information about machine definitions directly in the Machine Library.
00:37
With a machine is selected, open the Info tab.
00:41
This provides a quick way to check key settings,
00:44
such as tool info, coolant type, and axis information.
00:50
To edit the machine definition settings,
00:53
you need to open the Machine Definition dialog.
00:56
First, however, it is important to understand where these settings should be accessed.
01:02
If you edit a machine definition file from within a Fusion setup,
01:06
you are creating a copy that exists only in the Fusion project.
01:10
This copy is stored with your Fusion project, and not in your local folder,
01:14
which means that any changes you make only exist in this copy.
01:19
To make changes to the copy of a machine definition file that is saved to your local file,
01:25
you must access it from the Machine Library.
01:28
On the Manufacturing workspace toolbar, Milling tab,
01:32
expand Manage and select Machine Library.
01:36
From the Machine Library, navigate to the folder where your copy is saved.
01:42
In this instance, machine definition copies are saved under a folder called My Fusion Machines.
01:48
Select the desired file.
01:52
Then, in the toolbar, click Edit Selected to open the Machine Definition dialog.
01:57
Open the Kinematics tab.
02:01
The settings in this section control how Fusion will calculate move and limit movements of the machine.
02:06
This section also has settings for the coolant type supported by the machine,
02:10
as well as the limits for spindle speed and feed rates.
02:14
A kinematics tree provides a hierarchical view of the components of the machine and their relationships.
02:21
The specific items and their order in the kinematics tree vary depending on the CNC machine type.
02:27
CNC machines normally have two branches,
02:31
one from the spindle or head and one from the table.
02:35
Certain parts of these kinematics settings are critical to define how the machine tool moves.
02:40
Other settings, even though they are required,
02:43
can be adjusted to meet your preferences.
02:47
For example, even though Fusion has a setting that enables you to specify the preferred tilt direction,
02:53
you can force the machine definition to enable motion only in the A negative direction.
02:59
You should carefully examine the kinematics tree in your machine definition file
03:03
to verify that it defines how the axes on your machine connect to each other.
03:08
If you have not found your exact machine and want to use one that is similar until you get one for your machine,
03:14
the Fusion library has many examples you can reference.
03:18
Again, you can use the information shown on the Info tab of the Machine Library
03:23
to quickly review the kinematics for the machine definition you select.
03:28
Be certain you understand each of the settings in the Kinematics section of any machine definitions you choose.
03:34
The orange warning triangles are meant to communicate the importance of reviewing and adjusting Machine Definition files
03:41
– especially the kinematics.
03:44
The NC code should be tested to confirm that it functions safely, and as you want.
03:50
There are other resources available, including Help pages,
03:54
that you can use to learn more about the various settings within these machine definitions.
03:59
By understanding the kinematic settings in your machine definitions,
04:03
you can help to ensure proper simulation, collision detection,
04:07
and NC code creation, resulting in safe and accurate functionality.
Video transcript
00:03
For CNC machines, a machine definition includes information about its kinematics,
00:09
which describes how the physical CNC machine moves when running NC code.
00:14
Understanding kinematics is important for helping to ensure accurate simulations and generating reliable NC code.
00:22
When copying machine definitions from the Fusion Machine Library,
00:26
it is important to review the settings and make any necessary adjustments.
00:31
You can review some information about machine definitions directly in the Machine Library.
00:37
With a machine is selected, open the Info tab.
00:41
This provides a quick way to check key settings,
00:44
such as tool info, coolant type, and axis information.
00:50
To edit the machine definition settings,
00:53
you need to open the Machine Definition dialog.
00:56
First, however, it is important to understand where these settings should be accessed.
01:02
If you edit a machine definition file from within a Fusion setup,
01:06
you are creating a copy that exists only in the Fusion project.
01:10
This copy is stored with your Fusion project, and not in your local folder,
01:14
which means that any changes you make only exist in this copy.
01:19
To make changes to the copy of a machine definition file that is saved to your local file,
01:25
you must access it from the Machine Library.
01:28
On the Manufacturing workspace toolbar, Milling tab,
01:32
expand Manage and select Machine Library.
01:36
From the Machine Library, navigate to the folder where your copy is saved.
01:42
In this instance, machine definition copies are saved under a folder called My Fusion Machines.
01:48
Select the desired file.
01:52
Then, in the toolbar, click Edit Selected to open the Machine Definition dialog.
01:57
Open the Kinematics tab.
02:01
The settings in this section control how Fusion will calculate move and limit movements of the machine.
02:06
This section also has settings for the coolant type supported by the machine,
02:10
as well as the limits for spindle speed and feed rates.
02:14
A kinematics tree provides a hierarchical view of the components of the machine and their relationships.
02:21
The specific items and their order in the kinematics tree vary depending on the CNC machine type.
02:27
CNC machines normally have two branches,
02:31
one from the spindle or head and one from the table.
02:35
Certain parts of these kinematics settings are critical to define how the machine tool moves.
02:40
Other settings, even though they are required,
02:43
can be adjusted to meet your preferences.
02:47
For example, even though Fusion has a setting that enables you to specify the preferred tilt direction,
02:53
you can force the machine definition to enable motion only in the A negative direction.
02:59
You should carefully examine the kinematics tree in your machine definition file
03:03
to verify that it defines how the axes on your machine connect to each other.
03:08
If you have not found your exact machine and want to use one that is similar until you get one for your machine,
03:14
the Fusion library has many examples you can reference.
03:18
Again, you can use the information shown on the Info tab of the Machine Library
03:23
to quickly review the kinematics for the machine definition you select.
03:28
Be certain you understand each of the settings in the Kinematics section of any machine definitions you choose.
03:34
The orange warning triangles are meant to communicate the importance of reviewing and adjusting Machine Definition files
03:41
– especially the kinematics.
03:44
The NC code should be tested to confirm that it functions safely, and as you want.
03:50
There are other resources available, including Help pages,
03:54
that you can use to learn more about the various settings within these machine definitions.
03:59
By understanding the kinematic settings in your machine definitions,
04:03
you can help to ensure proper simulation, collision detection,
04:07
and NC code creation, resulting in safe and accurate functionality.
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