Using Polar Mode

You can use polar mode in a program to specify the axes to use during the machining. You can either machine a part using all linear axes and the machine head axes, or specific linear axes and the table axes. The machine simulation, APT output and post-process are automatically updated with the polar mode parameters defined. Polar mode is available for the following machining operations: axial, circular milling, profile contouring, pocketing, 4-axis pocketing and facing.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin:
  • Polar mode is supported on machines that have maximum 5-axis defined. If your machine has more than 5-axis, lock the extra axes.
  • All the axes must have different names.
  • Create a machine and profile contouring operation.

Activate Polar Mode

You can activate polar mode on a machine and define a configuration.

  1. From the Activities Process Tree, double-click a machine, such as a 5-axis machine.
  2. In the machine dialog box that appears, select the Spindle tab and click Add a New Polar Configuration .
  3. In the Polar Configuration dialog box that appears, define the following parameters:
    • Rotary Axis: specifies the rotary axis of the spindle. The axes available are the unlocked rotary axes.
    • Locked linear axis: specifies the spindle axis to be locked. The axes available are the unlocked linear axes.
    • Moving linear axis: specifies the linear axis to be activated. The axes available are the unlocked linear axes.
    • Offset of the locked linear axis: specifies an offset on the locked linear axis defined. The default value is 0.
    • Initial position on the moving axis: specifies the initial position on the moving linear axis defined.

    For mill-turn machines, the polar mode parameters are available in the Turret tab of the machine dialog box.

  4. Click OK when done.
  5. Optional: To edit a polar mode configuration, double-click it in the Polar Mode Programming list displayed in the machine dialog box.
  6. In the machine dialog box, click OK when done.
    PPwords are created at the beginning and end of the operation.

Edit Polar Mode Parameters Locally

You can edit polar mode parameters locally, on one specific operation. Make sure you have activated polar mode on the machine first.

  1. From the Activities Process Tree, double-click a machining operation, such as a profile contouring operation.
  2. In the dialog box that appears, select the Geometry tab, then the Polar Mode tab.
  3. In the Polar Mode tab, select a configuration in the Polar Configuration list and click the icon to allow the parameters modification.
    • Rotary Axis: specifies the rotary axis of the spindle. The axes available are the unlocked rotary axes.
    • Locked linear axis: specifies the spindle axis to be locked. The axes available are the unlocked linear axes.
    • Moving linear axis: specifies the linear axis to be activated. The axes available are the unlocked linear axes.
    • Offset of the locked linear axis: specifies an offset on the locked linear axis defined. The default value is 0.
    • Initial position on the moving axis: specifies the initial position on the moving linear axis defined.
  4. Click OK when done.
    The polar mode parameters are edited on the operation only.

Notes:
  • You can revert to the original parameters by clicking the icon in the Polar Mode tab.
  • If the tool axis is perpendicular to the rotary axis, or inclined, the position of the locked axis must be set to 0.