You can define a tool attachment, such as a right angle head, and use it in a Creo NC session. The attachment holds a cutting tool in a fixed, non-vertical position, to extend the capabilities of a 3-axis machine. Typical examples include machining of oil grooves in an engine block, or drilling holes in the side of a component.

When you specify a tool attachment at the time of NC sequence setup, you select a previously defined Creo model (part or assembly). This model may be as simple as two coordinate systems, named SPINDLE_CONTROL_POINT and TOOL_ATTACH_POINT, or it may be a complete solid model with the appropriate coordinate systems defined. The model also has to include a parameter ATTACHMENT_NUMBER, which will be used for the CL file output as an identification of the holder.

When an attachment is used, the tool path display includes both tool and attachment. The CL output contains the following block of commands, immediately preceding the LOADTL command:

where:

name—The name of the attachment model.

attachment_number—The value of the model parameter ATTACHMENT_NUMBER.

xoffset, yoffset, and zoffset—Define the position of the tool attach point with respect to the spindle control point.

at—Defines the ZF rotation of the tool axis in degrees with respect to the SPINDLE_CONTROL_POINT coordinate system.

st—Defines the XY rotation of the tool axis in degrees with respect to the SPINDLE_CONTROL_POINT coordinate system.

Positive rotation follows the right hand rule.