HEIDENHAIN TNC 360 User Manual - Manual (Page 193)

TNC 360 9-2
9 Digitizing 3D Surfaces
The digitizing option enables you to reduce a three-dimensional part into
discrete digital information by scanning it with the TS 120 touch probe.
The following components are required for digitizing:
• TS 120 three-dimensional touch probe
• “Digitizing option” software module in the TNC
• External data storage, such as:
HEIDENHAIN FE 401 floppy disk unit
or
PC (IBM-compatible) with HEIDENHAIN TNC.EXE data transfer soft-
ware
The digitized surface data can be evaluated with the
• SUSA evaluation software for IBM-compatible PCs
.
The TNC and machine must have been prepared by the machine tool builder for the use of a 3D touch probe.
9.1 The Digitizing Process
The touch probe scans a 3D surface point-for-point in a selectable grid.
The scanning speeds vary from 200 to 600 mm/min (about 8 to 24 ipm).
The TNC transmits the digitized positions as straight-line blocks in
HEIDENHAIN format. The interface function PRINT (see page 7-15)
determines where the blocks are stored:
• In the program memory of the TNC
• Externally via RS-232 interface
If very large amounts of data are generated, you will have to store them in
a PC.
Generating programs with digitized data
The TNC automatically converts the digitized data into an NC part pro-
gram. Such a program can be run without any additional processing
provided that the cutter has the same radius as the probe stylus tip.
The HEIDENHAIN evaluation software SUSA calculates male/female
transformations and tool paths for tool radii and tool shapes that differ
from the shape of the probe stylus tip.
Overview: Digitizing cycles
The following digitizing cycles are available:
• RANGE
For defining the scanning range
• MEANDER For digitizing line by line
• CONTOUR LINES For digitizing contour lines
Transferring digitized data
The digitized data are stored externally in a file which you name in cycle 5:
RANGE.
• The digitizing cycles operate in HEIDENHAIN conversational dialog.
• Digitizing cycles are programmed only for the axes X, Y and Z.
• Coordinate transformations or a basic rotation must not be active during digitizing.