Lathe drawing mode in Vector Cad-cam

Please note: this instruction is for those that want to draw their lathe geometry in the same axis coordinates as the CNC code.

THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED, but is offered to show the flexibility of Vector.

Many Vector Cam users have decades of experience and training invested in other 2D CAD programs like Autocad.

They use these 2D programs to create turned parts in the X-Y plane. Most Vector CAD users draw the lathe geometry in the

X-Y plane and convert this to lathe code using the standard Vector lathe post processor.

A) To draw geometry in Lathe axis mode with Vector Cad-Cam:

1) Change to the front View View-3D-Views-Front

2) Change-Axis-Reset

3) Change-Axis-Rotate, X=180, Y=-90, OK

4) Draw geometry with X plus values equal part radius and –Z to the left of the origin, for behind tool mounting. Be sure to use 3D drawing methods to access Z values. Special Verify to be certain that all Y values are = 0

(For in front tool post installation, draw minus X values equal part radius and –Z to the left of origin.)

B) To create toolpaths from this style of geometry

1) Change-Axis-Reset

2) Change-Axis-Rotate, Y=90, OK

This will orient the geometry to the Vector lathe toolpath creation tools and permit generation of CNC code using all the normal post processors.

C) Automation of the process:

This section contains 2 MTB scripts that will permit changing from either of the two modes

above to the other with a click of a button. The setup is for MTB, but the syntax is identical for MTB-PRO

Text of Script for Lathe Drawing (Section A above):

'change to front view

SV "[ALT-V],3F"

'Reset coordinate axis

SV "[ALT-C],XS"

'Rotate coordinate axis to display X as radius and Z as length

SV "[ALT-C],XR,[TAB],180,[TAB],-90,[CR]"

Text of Script for Lathe Toolpath (Section B above):

'Reset Axis

SV "[ALT-C],XS"

'Rotate axis to X-Y plane

SV "[ALT-C],XR0,[TAB],90,[TAB],0,[CR]"