Tool Axis Control in Trajectory Milling
There are two ways to add tool axis definitions in 4- and 5-axis Trajectory milling:
• Along Trajectory—The tool axis definition is parametrically connected with a cut motion segment. You select a point on a cut motion segment, specify a parameter value along this segment to place the point, and define the tool axis orientation at this point. If the length of the segment later changes because of geometry changes to the model, the axis definition stays at the specified length ratio along the segment.
• Location—The tool axis definition is parametrically connected with a datum point on the model. You create or select a datum point, then define the tool axis orientation at this point. The system then applies this definition to the closest location on the cutter path. If the model geometry or the cut motion changes, the system recalculates the location on the cut motion closest to the specified datum point. The tool axis orientation at other points along the cutter path is interpolated based on the proximity of all the existing axis definitions. Make sure to create a sufficient number of tool axis definitions by Location, to enable the system correctly interpolate the tool axis orientation along the cutter path.
Use the tool axis control by Location if geometry changes to your model may cause some of the cut motion segments to disappear. If such a cut motion segment has a tool axis definition Along Trajectory associated with it, the axis definition is lost and the cut motion can not be generated. However, if you place a tool axis definition at a specific physical location, such as a part vertex, the axis definition is associated with part geometry rather than with the cut motion, and the system will apply it to the nearest location on the cutter path, regardless of the cutter path configuration changes.