CNC Lathe Turning CAM Issue - Setting Tool and Axis Directions

[kamil_gozalov]

Hello all,

I am trying to machine this part on a Tormach CNC Lathe. On the Tormach, the X axis points away from you and the Z axis points to the right. I am having trouble making that configuration in my CAM. The issue I'm facing is that the tool will always plunge from the wrong direction. That is, it will go in the negative X direction to make a cut rather than in the positive X direction like I need it to. 

I am open to trying any suggestions, thanks for your help in advance!

https://a360.co/404loJA

Initial Setup:

As you can see in this image, the X axis is pointing in the same direction as the tool is located:

I have tried flipping the axis, but since the part is symmetric, all it does is flip the tool to the other side, but it is still in the same direction as the axis:

I have also tried adjusting the tool orientation 180 + flipping the spindle rotation

This does give me the desired output of the tool facing the opposite side as the X axis, however it is now on the wrong side of the part. 

[seth.madore]

Unless working with a Turn/Mill lathe, such as the Haas ST20Y or Doosan Lynx, you really only need to be concerned about the Z axis direction. 

Are you using "gang" tooling, so you have tools mounted on X+ and X-? If so, those tools that are operating on the other side of things need to have a special Turret Number assigned to them . You need to input a value of "3" for Front Gang, and a value of "4" for Rear Gang.

Doing this will give you X- codes for the Front Gang and X+ for the Rear Gang.

It's important to note that ALL TOOLS are defined as if they are from the X+ side of things. Don't try to model them as they physically show in the machine itself (at least not until we fully implement "allow machining on negative" for all toolpaths)

[seth.madore]

[kamil_gozalov]

Thanks a lot for your reply! I am not using "gang" tooling, but just to clarify, you're saying if I run the program as is I shouldn't experience any issues correct? (of course unless I goof something up myself)

[seth.madore · Accepted solution]

Well, no, not quite. The way you had the tool defined would likely lead to issues in the posted code.