Rotary machining is used for the machining of 3D solid / surface models such as turbine blades / blisks, feed-screws as well as mechanical parts such as camshafts and crankshafts. It has widespread application in the Aircraft, Automotive, Petroleum and Gas Industry as well as the manufacturing of decorative parts (e.g. busts / figures) and many other complex types of parts.
SprutCAM has a wide range of parameters available for the rotary machining operation which enables the machining of the part types listed above, taking into account the specific characteristics of the production works and the type of machine (3-axis CNC milling machines fitted with a rotary axis or a CNC turn-milling machine with live tooling).
The key feature of the operation is that linear axes together with a 4th rotational axis also with a fixed fifth axis (if present). In some cases the fifth axis of the machine may also be used.
SprutCAM 11 sees a the new ‘Rotary roughing’ operation added which enables the stock removal of parts mounted on a live rotary (4th) axis.
Main technological parameters of the operation:
- Calculation of the path with the use of roughing cuts
- Spiral, linear or circular path calculation
- Calculation of the tool contact point taking into account the position of the tool axis; normal to the surface or normal to the rotation axis.
- Definition of an offset angle from the tool axis normal or offset distance from the rotary axis centreline.
- Generation of the tool path of both the groups of surfaces and separate surfaces and elements, as well as the entire part.
In SprutCAM the path is calculated taking into account the machine type, applied to the 3D model and the calculation process also takes into account other parameters such as the travel limits of the machine and any possible interference that could occur, which allows for complete control over the movements. Gouge checking is also used to control the part and the additional equipment (chucks – clamps – fixing screws etc.) whose models are placed in the ‘Fixture list’.
A workpiece may be defined as a ‘block’, a ‘cylinder’ or a ‘rotated body’ with stock allowance or of the ‘remaining material’ from previous machining operations, as well as a geometric model (e.g. casting model), consisting of a solid / surface model.
