Multiple Plasma Cutter Machines?

[Torquindsl]

I have questions about adding my plasma cutter tool in the Machine Library. In the library I see that I can define things like max feed rate in a machine. I assume this means max feed when cutting a part. For a plasma cutter, this number differs, depending on material and thickness. I would think this would also be true for a mill, as those attributes and the individual cutter specifics being important to max feed rate value also. To be accurate and use F360 to the fullest, should I be defining a different machine for each material and thickness that I am cutting?

Does that make sense?

Will these settings benefit me to store in the Machine settings?

Also, when defining a machine, I see that there are "kinematics". When defining kinematics it has 3 axis, a table, and head sections. Do I define all of those?

In what situation would I change the orientation for any of these axis using the "orientation" drop down?

What should I be choosing in the "Coordinate" drop down for each axis?

All of the docs I have found on "kinematics" only talk about machine simulation, so I am now wondering if this machine definition only applies to a simulation. Can someone clarify this?

Is there documentation I have not found that explains all of these options?

Thanks,

Chris

[a.laasW8M6T]

Hi

• To be accurate and use F360 to the fullest, should I be defining a different machine for each material and thickness that I am cutting?

         No you do not need a machine for each material, that is handled by the cutting presets in the tool library:

You can add multiple presets here for different materials/thicknesses

In reality you do not actually need a machine, with defined kinematics for a 3 axis machine at all, especially not for a plasma.

You don't even need to select a machine in your setup.

Where a machine comes in useful is for multi axis milling machines, for defining kinematics and for machine simulation.

You also must use a Machine for Additive processes.

Hope that makes sense, I think the fact that in a setup you can select a machine leads many users to believe that you HAVE to select one, but that is not the case

[Torquindsl]

So, is it wise to set up different tool presets for a plasma cutter?

Will I still need to select a machine to apply the tools/presets, or can I use the tools/presets without selecting a machine? I do not recall anything about selecting a preset anywhere in the setups I have created.

Thanks,

Chris

[a.laasW8M6T · Accepted solution]

You don't need a machine to select presets

Check this short video out:

[Torquindsl]

Definitely helpful. Thank you fro taking the time to create the video. It helps a lot.

Thanks,

Chris