SprutCAM Lathe contains a full set of strategies for the turning of parts of any complexity. All of the major turning cycles (e.g. Roughing – finishing – drilling – grooving) are supported. SprutCAM Lathe can also use an imported ‘workpiece’ model which is useful for the machining of castings or forgings etc. Full support and programming of the Lathe equipment is available including: steadies – Tailstock – Parts catcher – chuck etc.
SprutCAM Lathe enables the rapid creation of accurate g-code programs for all CNC lathes.
Follows is a list of typical turning operations:
- Contour Roughing
- Contour Finishing
- Drilling
- Screw-cutting
- Grooving
- Chasing
- Auxiliary operation (e.g. Parts catcher – swarf conveyor etc.)
SprutCAM Lathe can make use of an imported 2D or 3D CAD model of the turned part, or alternatively, the required geometry can be created directly within SprutCAM Lathe using the included 2D Geometry creation tools.
When using an imported 3D model, the user can easily modify the imported geometry that is required for the turning operation. This can be simply adding a chamfer or blend radius or modifying turned diameters or lengths when required.
When working with a 2D drawing of the turned part, the user can easily create the required geometry by using the powerful, but simple to use 2D Geometry tools that are included with SprutCAM Lathe. Once the part geometry is created using the 2D Geometry tools, the Part is displayed as a 3D revolved model. This feature simplifies the subsequent creation of the machining process. If the created 2D part geometry is edited / updated, SprutCAM Lathe automatically updates the 3D representation of the part.
The standard installation of SprutCAM Lathe includes a lathe tool library which the user can update or, a user defined tool library of lathe tools can be created. Definitions for ISO standard holder and inserts can be used to define the exact geometry of the turning tools. SprutCAM Lathe takes into account the type and shape of the tools being used when calculating toolpaths which is very useful when turning, for example, lathe parts that include pockets etc.
When using typical lathe operations (except the lathe contour), all the technological parameters are filled in by the system automatically taking into account the type of the operation chosen. This permits to simplify and accelerate the forming of the engineering process when machining parts with simple geometrical forms.
Regarding the typical operations, the lathe contour has much more capacities. It assures a flexible and comfortable control of the tool path in the interactive way, in the graphical window. It also permits to group several machining strategies : roughing, finishing, grooving, chasing, adding facets, edges rounding. It can completely replace any of the typical operations, but unlike the typical operations, it demands from user, a deeper approach in forming the set of the parameters.
All the lathe operations in SprutCAM are available for usage with CNC lathe machines equipped with various systems of tool fixing, from simple one position tool holders to machines with several turret heads, as well as spindles which support cutting lathe tools. This working with such type of machines, you can create NC programs for synchronized machining (machining with several tools simultaneously).