CNC axes directions on Horizontal Machining centers (HMCs) – rotary and linear axes
CNC axes directions always follow a convention, and all CNC machine manufacturers follow this convention. Here is the convention for HMCs.
What’s the reason for having a fixed convention ? Imagine if you DON’T have a convention ! The drilling motion on machine will be along the Z axis, and on another it will be the X or Y axis. You’ll end up having to first figure out the axes directions for the machine, and then write a CNC program specifically for this machine. Programs will not be interchangeable between machines. You’ll have 10 machines on the shop floor, and each will will have its own CNC axes directions.
So here is the CNC axes directions convention: The spindle is ALWAYS the Z axis. The right hand rule is used to determine the linear axes and their direction. The middle finger is the Z axis, the thumb the X axis, and index finger the Y axis. The fingers point towards the Plus directions.
Rotary axes about X, Y and Z are called A, B and C respectively. Another right hand rule determines these axes. If you point the thumb towards the Plus direction of the linear axis, the other curled fingers are the direction of the rotary axis. In the picture above, the rotary table is the B axis because it is about the Y axis.
Auxiliary linear axes are parallel to the primary axes. Auxiliary axes parallel to X, Y and Z are called U, V and W respectively. The quill on an HMC is an auxiliary axis parallel to the Z axis (the spindle), and hence is called W.
Here’s a detailed explanation on CNC mill axes directions, at cncphilosophy.com.
Pics. and text source for CNC axes directions : Cadem NCyclopedia multimedia CNC training software. The software also explains concepts with videos and animations.
