Polar coordinates, 1 f undamentals – HEIDENHAIN iTNC 530 (60642x-04) User Manual

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Programming: Fundamentals, File Management

3.1 F

undamentals

Polar coordinates

If the production drawing is dimensioned in Cartesian coordinates, you

also write the NC program using Cartesian coordinates. For parts

containing circular arcs or angles it is often simpler to give the

dimensions in polar coordinates.
While the Cartesian coordinates X, Y and Z are three-dimensional and

can describe points in space, polar coordinates are two-dimensional

and describe points in a plane. Polar coordinates have their datum at a

circle center (CC), or pole. A position in a plane can be clearly defined

by the:



Polar Radius, the distance from the circle center CC to the position,

and the



Polar Angle, the value of the angle between the angle reference axis

and the line that connects the circle center CC with the position.

Setting the pole and the angle reference axis
The pole is set by entering two Cartesian coordinates in one of the

three planes. These coordinates also set the reference axis for the

polar angle PA.

0°

Coordinates of the pole
(plane)

Reference axis of the angle

X/Y

Y/Z

Z/X