Depending on the type of 5-axis machine you are working with, there are often two ways of orienting the machine axes to address a particular face. FeatureCAM has a default orientation for each machine architecture. By checking Use Alternative 5 axis position on the Setup definition page, you can choose which orientation will be used for a specific setup.
As an example in the machine below, the default is to keep A in the 0 to 180 range and then find the suitable B.
With “Use alternative” checked, we keep A in the 0 to -180 range and then find the suitable B.
The default and alternative orientations for each 5 axis machine type are shown below.
Horizontal with stacked tables (rotate about Y then X)
Default is to keep B 0 to 180, then find A. Alternative is to keep B 0 to -180, then find A.
Vertical with stacked tables (rotate about X then Y)
Default is to keep A 0 to 180, then find B. Alternative is to keep A 0 to -180, then find B.
C rotary table and B tilting head
Default is to keep B 0 to 180, then find C. Alternative is to keep B 0 to -180, then find C.
C rotary table and A tilting head
Default is to keep A 0 to 180, then find C. Alternative is to keep A 0 to -180, then find C.
C swiveling and A tilting head
Default is to keep A 0 to 180, then find C. Alternative is to keep A 0 to -180, then find C.
B and A tilting head
Default is to keep B 90 to -90 if setup’s Z is positive and 90 to 270 if setup’s Z is negative, then find A. Alternative is to keep B 90 to 270 if setup’s Z is positive and 90 to -90 if setup’s Z is negative, then find A.
A and B tilting head
Default is to keep A 90 to -90 if setup’s Z is positive and 90 to 270 if setup’s Z is negative, then find B. Alternative is to keep A 90 to 270 if setup’s Z is positive and 90 to -90 if setup’s Z is negative, then find B.