How to Generate CUTCOM Syntaxes

This document explains how to generate Cutter compensation (CUTCOM) instructions for Profile Contouring, Pocketing, and Circular Milling operations.

 In the Strategy tab page of the machining operation editor, Output type allows you to manage the generation of CUTCOM instructions in the NC data output:

The following options are proposed:

• 2D Radial profile: both the tool tip and cutter profile will be visualized during tool path replay. Cutter compensation instructions are automatically generated in the NC data output. An approach macro must be defined to allow the compensation to be applied.
• 2D Radial tip: the tool tip will be visualized during tool path replay. Cutter compensation instructions are automatically generated in the NC data output. An approach macro must be defined to allow the compensation to be applied.
• None: cutter compensation instructions are not generated in the NC data output. In this case, the following method should be used.

Cutter Compensation on Prismatic Machining Operations

The activation/deactivation of cutter compensation is available by using NC macros on these operations. 

For Profile Contouring operations, compensation can be defined on Approach, Retract, Return to finish pass, and Return between levels macros for each pass.

For Circular Milling operations, compensation can be defined on Approach, Retract, and Return between levels macros for each pass.

For Pocketing operations, compensation can be defined on Retract, Return to finish pass, and Return between levels macros on the side finish pass only. 

This is done by insertion of a dedicated PP instruction in macro tool path. In the generated APT source CUTCOM syntaxes are inserted as follows:

• CUTCOM/LEFT or CUTCOM/RIGHT (from point where CUTCOM is activated).
  The valuation LEFT or RIGHT is automatically defined by the system in order to respect the machining side.

• CUTCOM/OFF (from point where CUTCOM is deactivated).

Methodology

Select position in macro for Cutter Compensation

In the Macro tab page of the Machining operation edition dialog box:

• In the Macro Management frame, right-click the Approach line and select the Activate contextual command.

• In the Current Macro Toolbox frame, select the desired mode. A sensitive icon representing this approach motion is displayed. 

• Right-click the point where Cutter compensation is to be inserted in the macro path and select the PP Word List contextual command.

Insert CUTCOM PP word in the macro

• The PP Word Selection dialog box appears.
  Select to access the PP word table.
  Note that this command is accessible only if a machine and an associated PP table are defined on the part operation.

• The PP Word Selection Assistant appears.
  Select the Major word CUTCOM in the list (Major words with parameters).

• Select the appropriate NC_CUTCOM syntax:
  • NC_CUTCOM_ON activates Compensation.
    CUTCOM/LEFT or CUTCOM/RIGHT will be generated in the APT source.
    The valuation LEFT/RIGHT is automatically defined by the system in order to respect the machining side.
  • NC_CUTCOM_OFF deactivates Compensation. 
    CUTCOM/OFF will be generated in the APT source.
• Select Apply to add the syntax then Close to quit the dialog box.

• The PP Words Selection dialog box appears again. 

Click OK to insert the NC_CUTCOM_ON PP word in macro tool path.

Complete the machining operation definition

Define the other parameters of the operation (geometry, tool, and machining strategy).
Click OK on the Machining operation edition dialog box to create the operation.

Shortcut with a Machining Process

To avoid defining each time macros with cutter compensation syntaxes, a template of the operation can be defined in a Machining Process. 

This operation, which has macros but no geometry, can be instantiated from a catalog in the machining program. Then only the geometry and tool need to be selected to completely define the operation. 

Refer to Create a Machining Process and Apply a Machining Process for more information.

Example of Generated APT Source 

Here is an example of the type of APT source that can be obtained for a Contouring operation when a NC_CUTCOM_ON word was inserted in the approach macro and a NC_CUTCOM_OFF word was inserted in the retract macro.