HEIDENHAIN TNC 406 - Manual (Page 65)

44 4 Programming: Fundamentals, Files, Program Entry, Spark Erosion, Erosion Tables
4.1 F
u
ndamentals of P
o
sitioning
Reference system with EDMs
When using an EDM, you orient tool movements to the Cartesian
coordinate system. The illustrations at right show how the Cartesian
coordinate system describes the machine axes. The figure at center
right illustrates the ”right-hand rule” for remembering the three axis
directions: the middle finger is pointing in the positive direction of the
tool axis from the workpiece toward the tool (the Z axis), the thumb is
pointing in the positive X direction, and the index finger in the positive
Y direction.
The TNC 406/TNC 416 can control up to 5 axes. The axes U, V and W
are secondary linear axes parallel to the main axes X, Y and Z,
respectively. Rotary axes are designated as A, B and C. The illustration
at lower right shows the assignment of secondary axes and rotary
axes to the main axes.
Programming electrode movement
Depending on the machine tool, either the machine table with the
workpiece moves or the electrode moves.
If the machine table moves, the corresponding axes are identified on
the machine operating panel with a prime mark (e.g., X’, Y’). The
programmed direction of such axis movement always corresponds to
the direction of electrode movement relative to the workpiece but in
the opposite direction.
+X
+X
+Y
+Z
+X
+Z
+Y
W+
C+
B+
V+ A+
U+
Y
X
Z
You always program as if the electrode moves and the
workpiece remains stationary, no matter the type of
machine.