Rotary Table Programming

for Pulsar / Altair / Delta

Amada America Inc.

7025 Firestone Blvd.
Buena Park, Ca. 90621
Tel. (714) 739-2111
Fax. (714) 228-0536

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Notes

Copyright 1995, 1996 by Amada America Inc., All Rights Reserved.

Amada America, Inc.

Rotary Axis Operation

1.1, 24 July, 1996

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction

Figure 1: Top view of rotary

Programming

Commands Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
G18 X0 A0
G107 A_
G08 P_
G02 X__ A__ R__
G03 X__ A__ R__

5
5
5
5
5

COORDINATE SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
G93 Origin Offset

Programming Step-By-Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Amada America, Inc.

Rotary Axis Operation

1.1, 24 July, 1996

Page 4

Introduction
The Rotary Table option is mainly intended for indexing, but it also has limited contouring
capabilities.
The unit is mounted on a base assembly which clamps into the machine work clamps. The
default position of the system places the rotary axis parallel with the X-axis.
CAUTION

To avoid crashing the cutting head, make sure to retract it fully before making rapid moves
in the X-axis.

clamp

clamp
reference pin

reference pin
0, 0
270 mm
6.30 in.

+x

+y

Figure 1: Top view of rotary

Amada America, Inc.

Rotary Axis Operation

1.1, 24 July, 1996

Page 5

Programming
Programming the rotary is different than programming in X,Y in some ways. For example,
G02, G03 cant use the I,J format, only the R format.
The rotary axis is designated A axis.

Commands Listing
The following commands are either unique to programming with the rotary, or are used
differently.

G18 X0 A0
Used to select the cutting plane / direction of cylindrical interpolation.

G107 A_
Used to disable or enable cylindrical interpolation. System must be in G01 mode, not G00
mode, when selecting G107.
A__ = radius of cylinder.
A0

reset / return to X-Y-Z mode

G08 P_
G08 is used to disable / enable look-ahead mode. Look-ahead must be disabled when using
the rotary axis.
G08 P0

disable look-ahead to use rotary.

G08 P1

re-enable look-ahead for normal operation.

G02 X__ A__ R__

CCW interpolation: Designate end point as X, A coordinate..
Do not use I,J format - only R format may be used to designate radius.

G03 X__ A__ R__

CW interpolation: Designate end point as X, A coordinate.
Do not use I,J format - only R format may be used to designate radius.

Amada America, Inc.

Rotary Axis Operation

1.1, 24 July, 1996

Page 6

COORDINATE SYSTEM
See the figures below and on the previous page for coordinate system layout.
Note the offset of the chuck centerline from the work table surface.

G93 Origin Offset

We recommend that you always use a G93 to set the program origin to the top surface of the
part.
X value as convenient for part program.
Y-value of 10.633 inch.
Z-origin to a value of 5.9055 plus the tube radius.

0 degrees

- 90 degrees

5.9055 + R

A+
150 mm
5.9055 in

X+

Z+

Y+

Amada America, Inc.

Rotary Axis Operation

1.1, 24 July, 1996

Page 7

Programming Step-By-Step
The following example cuts a 2 1/4" hole in the top surface of a 4" tube.
G90 G92 X50. Y50. Z11.811;

Set machine origin

G93 X ___ Y10.63 Z 7.9055;

Set X so that origin is at end of tube.

Move X, Y into position before selecting cylindrical
interpolation. Keep head UP while traversing !

G00 X0 Y0;
M102 (SPC2.0);

set material type

M100;

Activate laser mode.

E3;
G18 X0 A0;

Selects A-A plane - values must be zero

G107 A0;

Cancels cylindrical interpolation (reset)

Rapid into position, cancel cutter compensation. This
move assumes that head (Z-axis) is UP

G00 G40 X2.360 A0;

M103;
G01;

Must specify contouring mode, not rapid-taverse mode

prior to selecting G107.

G08 P0;

Cancel look-ahead mode

G107 A2.0;

A=radius of tube

G41;

Now start cutter comp

G01 X 2.375;

Cut into edge

G02 X4.625 A0 R1.125;

G02 X2.375 A0 R1.125;
G01 G40;

Cut first half of circle (cant do whole circle in one

instruction using R)
Cut second half of circle
Cancel cutter comp before exiting cylindrical
interpolation.

G107 A0;

Cancels cylindrical interpolation

G08 P01;

Turn look-ahead mode back on.

M104;
M101;
M30;
%;

9.5 "

3.5 "
1.125"

4.000"

Amada America, Inc.

Rotary Axis Operation

1.1, 24 July, 1996

Page 8

Notes

Amada America, Inc.

Rotary Axis Operation

1.1, 24 July, 1996