"Tool orientation is not supported" when post processing from Fusion, Inventor CAM and HSMWorks

Autodesk Support

Aug 7, 2024

Products and versions covered

Issue:

When posting g-code from Fusion, Inventor CAM, or HSMWorks, the code outputs one of the following messages: 
 
  • Tool orientation is not supported.
  • Tool orientation is not supported for available machine axes. 
  •  The controlling axis is not enabled.
The controlling axis is not enabled.
 

Causes:

A CAM setup includes one or more toolpaths with tool orientation enabled, however, the rotational axes of the machine are not defined in the post processor.
 

Solution:

Perform these checks in the Setup and Toolpath properties

  • Set the Operation Type according to the type of machine tool within Setup properties.
Set Orientation Type
  • Ensure that tool orientation is not enabled if a positional multi-axis move is not intended for this toolpath.Work coordinate system designation should be done in the Setup.
Multi Axis Options

 


Edit the Post Properties

For some post processors, the rotational axis needs to be defined in the NC Program Post Properties dialog. Some examples of this are:
  • In the Tormach Pathpilot post, the Rotary table axis can be defined in the Post Properties.
Tormach Post Properties dialog
  • In the Fadal post, this variable is named "Has rotary table".
Fadal Post Properties dialog
  • In the HAAS Next Generation Control post, a pre-set machine configuration can be selected from the Machine model list. If the machine is not on the list then the rotary axis can be specified by selecting Yes for "Has A/B/C- axis rotary".
NC program rotary axis setting
  • Other posts will get the rotary axis from the Machine selection. Ensure that the correct machine is selected in the Setup and the NC Program dialog. 
 

Edit the Machine Configuration

Edit the Machine's Kinematics to include the relevant 4th/5th axis. See: Machine kinematics 

 

Modify the Post Processor

Other post processors may not have multi-axis logic written in or enabled by default. In this case, the post will need to be edited to include rotary axis definitions using the process:

 

Check the Machine Limits

In other cases, the rotary axes may be written into the post but the tool orientation used by the toolpath may not be acceptable at the machine. This can occur when a toolpath goes outside the rotary axis limits for a specific CNC machine. In this situation, the tool orientation used in the operation will need to be edited so it is within the machine limits. This can sometimes be done by reversing the X or Y axis when setting up tool orientation.

If the Tool Orientation is out of the acceptable range, then an "Out of range" message may be shown in the Geometry tab of the problematic toolpath. 
Axis Limits
 

Products:

Autodesk HSM; Fusion; Inventor CAM;

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