Using the Local Axis System for Machining Operations

You can assign a Local Machining axis to an operation. This brings more flexibility in the Machining Axis association and gives a more robust flow.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin: Create a machining axis system.

Assign a Machining Axis System

You can assign a local machining axis system to one or more operations using Assign Local Axis System. You can also use this command to create a new machining axis system and assign it to the selected operation.

Assign Local Axis System is available for all machining operations except turning operations.

  1. From the Activities Process Tree, right-click an operation.

    Note: This local machining axis overwrites, for the current operation, the context menu axis system (Machining Axis Change preceding the operation). The association information is explicit and remains inside the operation.

  2. Click Assign Local Axis System and do one of the following:
    • To assign an existing axis system:
      1. In the Define Local Axis dialog box, select any previously created axis system from the work area or Manufacturing View.
      2. Click OK.
    • To create an axis system:
      1. In the Define Local Axis dialog box, click Create a new Machining Axis .
      2. In the Machining Axis System dialog box, select the dot representing the origin in the sensitive icon, then select a point or a circle in the work area.
      3. Select one of the axes in the sensitive icon to specify the orientation of that axis.
      4. Repeat the previous step for the next axis to define.
      5. Click OK.

      For more information, see Create a Machining Axis System.



The machining axis system is assigned to the operation. All the calculations and output generated for that operation are based on the selected machining axis system.

Tip: To remove a machining axis system, right-click the operation with a machining axis system assigned and select Remove Local Axis System.

Remove Local Axis System is available only if the selected machining operation has a local machining axis system assigned.

Indications of the Assigned Local Machining Axis System

This shows you where to view any indications of an assigned Local Machining axis System.

Click to open the Activities Process Tree.

A column is added in the Activities Process Tree, Local Axis system. This column shows the name of the Machining Axis System assigned for that particular operation. If there is no Machining Axis System assigned for that operation (because not assigned or because not applicable), then the cell displays the - symbol.

Note: As soon as you select any operation, if there is any Local Machining axis System defined, the applied Machining Axis system is also highlighted in the work area. This helps to locate the Machining Axis System assigned for the operation in work area.

This is controlled by the standard setting Display of geometry in the Machining Context Options tab. (Local Machining System is highlighted only if the geometry highlight is enabled.)

Note: The functionality to assign a Local Machining axis System for a Machining operation would be supported for all operations except for Turning operations.

If there is any Machining Axis System assigned to any supported operation and you delete the Machining Axis System from the Manufacturing View or work area, then Activities Process Tree still reflects the name of the Machining Axis System in the Local Axis System column until the Activity Process table is refreshed due to any edition.

The APT Import creates a Machining Axis Change for each CATMAT included in the APT file. In the scenario where Local Machining axis is assigned to an MO, the import of the generated APT file creates a Machining Axis change and not a Local Machining axis (since there is no distinction in the generated APT of the source of the CATMAT: Axis Change or Local Axis System).

Manage the Local Machining Axis System for Auxiliary Operations

Machining Axis System is an optional Parameter for the operation and any change in the Local Machining Axis System or assignment or deletion of Local Machining Axis System would not make the operation out-of-date and there is no need to re-compute the toolpath.

The auxiliary operations (example, copy-transformation) require some additional explanations. Here are 2 main scenarios that we are going to describe:

  • Copy-transfo of a given operation:

    The Local Machining axis, if any is assigned to the reference operation, will not be kept for the copy-transfo operation. But, since auxiliary operations support the Local Machining axis system, you are able, after the copy, to explicitly assign the Local Machining axis of your choice to the transformed operation.

  • Copy-merge of a program:

    The copy of a program including the operation with Local Machining axis assigned, results in the automatic creation of new Machining axis systems (transformation of the Local Machining axis systems) and automatic assignment of the transformed Local Axis system to the corresponding transformed operation.