Supporting NC Machines with Multiple Tool Chains

This capability allows machine simulation users to validate their machining programs upfront for a larger category of machines with complex kinematics.

The Inverse Kinematics (IK) supports machines with multiple tool chains, allowing these machines to be used for tool path simulation and checking reachability.

Examples of Machines

Refer to the existing User Interface in the Device Building Application to create and assign Numeric Kinematics. Details of assigning IK parameters are available at Content and Simulation > Industrial Engineering > Production Equipment Definition > Advanced Tasks, Assigning Inverse Kinematics.

Using this command, Create New IK Chain, you can create multiple IK chains. Each IK chain is assigned a separate IK Solver Type, Numeric Inverse.

Note: A tool mount point must be created in MTB corresponding to each chain (existing functionality). When using such machines in Machine Programming , you choose the right mount point in the Tool Change. The chain corresponding to this mount point is used for the set of operations under this Tool Change.

In the TCP Convergence parameters, select the drop-down corresponding to Roll and set it to No. Once the IK kinematics is defined with multiple chains, you create tool mount points for each chain. This is using the existing User Interface in MTB, for creating tool-mount points.

Then define the Tool Profile's corresponding to each of the tool-mount points and assign the appropriate IK chain to each of the tool profiles. Use the Tool Profile command available in Device Building.