Modeling a spindle head to avoid collisions in 3+2 machining

[ci3jk4]

Hi again,

I know that for now we can only use flute and tool holder geometry for collision avoidance.

I can work with that even in 3:2d machining, but the problem is that sometimes I have to machine a deep pocket on the side of machined element. 

In this case it can take a lot of time to squeeze the spindle head into that deep deep pocket and avoid collision with stock.

For now, to have at least some protection I have modeled all round parts of my spindle as my tool holder, but unfortunately we cant model square tool holders (understandable) to model even a simple representation of the upper part of the spindle and head..

My spindle head is of this type:

https://www.hsdusa.com/viewdoc.asp?co_id=937 

This basically means that when milling a really deep pocket on the side of my part I have to be aware where the back side of my spindle is aiming. 

Is there any way to add this functionality in near future?

I'm not talking about whole machine visualization.

Only the square spindle and if possible some parts of the head.

The basic functionality is already there with the tool holder collision detection, and it seems like adding the possibility to draw some square parts of it.

I dont mind if i would have to draw or manually adjust this part for every C  and A angle, as event this can be quicker than running from my office to the machine 20 times to adjust it perfect.

[seth.madore · Accepted solution]

The dev team is working hard at bringing in machine simulation, so hopefully that will give you the tools you need. I don't have a timeline on this, but it most certainly IS on the roadmap. I don't think I've heard anything about other forms of building models for avoidance purposes, sorry.

[ci3jk4]

Great news 🙂
Let me know when its up - ill be happy to be in the test group :)))

Thanks for the info Seth!

[johnswetz1982 · Accepted solution]

Model your table and work holding. Model your square spindle parts as a circumscribed circle. This may show some false collisions but it errs on the side of safety.  Working on a DMU 50 with a square spindle column I used this technique to make sure any table rolls would not interfere with the spindle.

[banddspindles]

How did you model your spindle and tool holder into one?

[johnswetz1982]

You need to go into the custom holder/segment page of the tool definition and add sections there. As described above, the spindle on the DMU that i had available had a tapered section then a square column/head. You can only add round sections to tool holder definition so I made a circumscribed circle to represent the column. That way there was extra clearance around the head portion for safety and if there was a collision in simulation I could decide if it was real or fake.