HEIDENHAIN TNC 360 User Manual - Manual (Page 199)

TNC 360 9-8
9 Digitizing 3D Surfaces
Fig. 9.4: Scanning one level of a 3D surface
Y
X
Z
1
9.4 Contour Line Digitizing
The CONTOUR LINES cycle scans a 3D contour by
circling around the model in a series of upwardly
successive levels.
Starting position
• Z coordinate of the MIN point from the RANGE cycle if the line spacing
was entered as a positive value, or Z coordinate of the MAX point if the
line spacing was entered as a negative value.
• Define the X and Y coordinates in the CONTOUR LINES cycle
• Automatically approach the starting point:
first in Z to the CLEARANCE HEIGHT (from RANGE cycle), then in
X and Y
Contour approach
The probe moves towards the surface in the programmed direction. When
it makes contact, the TNC stores the position coordinates.
Input data
• TIME LIMIT
The time within which the probe must orbit the model and reach the
first probe point. If the time limit is exceeded, the control aborts the
digitizing cycle. The input value 0 means there is no time limit.
• STARTING POINT
Coordinates of the starting point in the plane perpendicular to the probe
axis.
• AXIS AND DIRECTION OF APPROACH
Coordinate axis and direction in which the probe approaches the model.
• STARTING PROBE AXIS AND DIRECTION
Coordinate axis and direction in which the probe begins scanning the
model.
• LIMIT IN NORMAL LINES DIRECTION
Distance by which the probe is retracted from the model after a stylus
deflection.
• LINE SPACING
Offset by which the probe moves to start a new contour line. The
algebraic sign determines the direction.
• MAX. PROBE POINT INTERVAL
Maximum distance between digitized positions.
• The LINE SPACING and MAX. PROBE POINT INTERVAL cannot exceed 5 mm.
• After digitizing, the TNC moves the 3D touch probe back to the programmed STARTING POINT.