big 5axis mazak horizontal cnc mill

Yes just like the YouTube video.

Not sure if I need the tilted workpiece plane

You tell me...

It definitely looks really cool though

Not sure if I need the tilted workpiece plane

You tell me...

Basically G68.x is similar to G52 in the sense that you create a new WCS from the currently active offset. G68.x has the added benefit that lets the operator define how the XY-plane of the new WCS is oriented in space.


I'm sure a sales rep would tell you that you definitely need it!

But since I really have no clue about 5axis machining you may want to let other people explain:

Here is a demo for tilted work plane on a Fanuc controller for a 5axis table-table rotation kinematic:


This guy rambles on a bit:


also here:
www.linkedin.com/pulse/fanuc-g682-5-axis...planes-tim-markoski/

I think that tilted workplanes are, at best, a workaround for not being able to define arcs in arbitrary space.
My preferred solution is to allow arcs in arbitrary space, but as far as I know nobody is working on this at the moment.

There was some work done a long time ago, but it has been abandoned (and I didn't like the approach taken anyway)

I drawback with both approaches is that most CAM systems simply don't use them. They jist make little straigh-line moves.

Becksvill wrote:

I might go to pci mesa though 5i25T as that way I can keep the Ethernet for internet

Grabbing another network card locally might be easier

I think that tilted workplanes are, at best, a workaround for not being able to define arcs in arbitrary space.

You misunderstand the application of 'Tilted Work Plane':
5xis CAM output is indeed short straight lines for simultaneous operations (TCP). The 'Tilted Work Plane' functionality however is used in indexed operations (eg 3+2) only. On a table-table rotary machine an indexed operation is done using trivial kinematics. Hence there is no need or even purpose to define arcs in arbitrary space on such a machine because the tool is always perpendicular to the machine XY-plane.
TWP simply offers the operator a way of creating a WCS by translating AND rotating the currently active work offset system using G68.x codes and automatically orienting the work/tool using G53.x codes.

I'm not sure what makes you think CAM systems do not support G68.x and affiliated TWP codes. These have been supported for years.
Here is a video about Fusion360 (there are lots more like this for other CAMs):

Using a Fanuc control with G68 and G69 enabled you can rotate the working plane in the control. This allow you to align the tool axis (electronically) to the tool axis then program the part using print dimensions shown at the angle the view is drawn. You would program a rotation of one of the three rotary axes (depending on the machine rotary axis motion) using a line of code G68 X Y Z A B C (according to the programming manual.
Then, you would program a rotation of the second rotary axis using a second line of G68 code.
You must determine which axis to rotate first to have the work piece Z axis properly aligned with the tool axis.
Heh, now you must align your brain with the machine to be sure you move (program) the axis motion in the proper direction. A pretty neat trick.

G68 X Y Z A B C
G68 X Y Z A B C

then cancel the whole mess with a G69

In 15 years of running the Viper 5 meter bridge mill with a 15mb control I used it a total of one time. The machine has a 5 meter X, 2.5 meter Y, a 1 meter Z with BC head with +-120 degree B and infinite C axes motion. As the owner of the shop I tried the G68, G69 programming as a test. I determined it worked just fine except the confusion principle. It was much less confusing to program the needed motion using a CAD/CAM system and not worry about the operator losing orientation. G68/G69 was never used during production.