Moving and tipping of the workplane allows parts to be machined from different directions without reclamping. The direction of machining corresponds to the orientation of the cutting tool. Programming times are reduced with transformation functions supporting shifted or tilted workplanes.
For 3D machining with a tool that is tilted relative to the machining direction, milling areas can be easily programmed and defined without overlaps and gaps whilst ensuring complete collision checking. This strategy ensures that all areas are fully calculated.
Automated 3+2 machining is a feasible alternative if the machine tool does not facilitate full 5-axis simultaneous milling. Large areas that require various tool angles can be programmed and milled in a single operation. The automatic indexing feature scans for fixed tool inclinations and the corresponding tool paths. If there are potential toolholder collisions, the respective path segment can be sub-divided automatically into smaller segments with the corresponding tool positions.
This 5-axis machining cycle is the efficient alternative to conventional 3+2 milling for machining on or near steep walls. Similarly, a tool tilt to the Z-axis is predefined and collision-free, if possible. The continuous movement of the tool around the Z-axis is either automatically calculated by hyperMILL® or calculated as a result of defined tilt curves. Possible collisions are automatically detected and avoided by changing the tool angle. Optimised tool tilt angles improve cutting conditions when milling surfaces.
