Licom Systems Ltd.
Training Supplement
Threading
Revision A
Licom Systems Ltd.
Revision A
Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Screwcutting Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Tool Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Thread Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Tool Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Threading Machining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Thread Cut Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Configure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Licom Systems Ltd. - Training Supplement 1
Screwcutting in Lathe Revision A
Introduction
There are several considerations to be made when applying a thread to a component in
AlphaCAM. Some considerations are not a part of AlphaCAM as they are part of the
machine tool set up. This guide, with the aid of screen shots, will provide information to help
in the completion of the dialogue boxes, and to aid the machine tool set up.
Conventions
One main aspect of confusion arises when considering spindle direction and each different
customer's set up will be how they see it and thus how their post processor is configured.
For this guide the spindle direction, (CW or CCW), will be viewed as AlphaCAM sees it,
which is looking from the tailstock towards the headstock, (see picture below).
Also for the purpose of this guide we will assume that the tool turret being used is above the
machine centre line.
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Screwcutting in Lathe Revision A
Screwcutting Tools
Consider the drawing of the 2 screwcutting tools.
The tool labelled LH is a left hand tool and therefore as it is held in the tool turret, with the
cutting edge facing up, it will require a clockwise spindle rotation. The tool labelled RH is
a right hand tool and when held in the tool turret, with the cutting edge facing down, it will
require a counter clockwise spindle rotation. So, with reference to these 2 tools, if we were
cutting the thread in a standard manner, i.e. feeding in a Z minus direction, then the LH tool
would give a left handed thread, and the RH tool would give a right handed thread.
However if the thread was being cut in a Z plus direction then the LH tool would give a right
hand thread and the RH tool a left hand thread.
The following table gives an overview for screwcutting methods.
Key:
RH = Right Hand LH = Left Hand CW = Clockwise CCW = Counterclockwise
Type of Thread Tool Cutting Tool / Cut Spindle
Required Type Edge Direction Rotation
Front RH RH Down Z- CCW
Front RH LH Up Z+ CW
Front LH LH Up Z- CW
Front LH RH Down Z+ CCW
Back RH RH Up Z+ CW
Back RH LH Down Z- CCW
Back LH LH Down Z+ CCW
Back LH RH Up Z- CW
A Right Hand thread can be visualised as if you were to screw a nut onto the thread you
would have to turn it clockwise. A Left Hand thread can be visualised as if you were to
screw a nut onto the thread you would have to turn it counterclockwise.
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Screwcutting in Lathe Revision A
Tool Definition
The screwcutting tools are defined in the standard way as the other tools in AlphaCAM.
However the spindle rotation is critical when defining turning tools as this dictates the
spindle direction that is output in the NC code. With threading, AlphaCAM determines the
spindle direction from the information you give the system relating to the type of thread,
(Right Hand or Left Hand), and the direction of cut, (Z- or Z+). As such it is not critical that
the correct spindle rotation is entered at this stage, but for good practice it would be wise to
enter the correct rotation.
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Screwcutting in Lathe Revision A
Thread Definition
Whilst applying the threading information in AlphaCAM you will be prompted to pick a file
that contains information relative to the thread, i.e. overall diameter, thread angle, etc. It is
possible to pick any thread and modify the information to suit as there are many threads
already defined in AlphaCAM, this is the preferable method for non-standard threads, but
ideally standard/common threads should be pre-defined.
The pre-defined threads can be viewed in LICOMDAT\Threads.alp. To define a thread: -
Select MACHINE|Define Threads...
The Define Thread dialogue box opposite will be displayed
Overall
Diameter - the diameter of the thread being cut, e.g. M24 = 24mm diameter.
Angle - this is the flank angle of the thread, which is 60 degrees for metric
threads. Imperial threads depend upon the thread specification.
Depth - this is the radial depth of thread from the crest to the root.
Specify by - this is determined by the output units, metric or imperial.
For metric units all threads, (metric or imperial), are defined by Pitch,
which is the distance from one thread crest to the next. Therefore TPI
should be converted into a pitch . ((1/TPI)*25.4)
For imperial units threads can be defined by pitch or more
traditionally TPI, Threads Per Inch, which is essentially the number of
pitches in 1 inch.
Set the applicable information, then select K
AlphaCAM will then prompt you to save the thread. It would be preferable to have
separate metric and imperial folders, and use a naming convention that is easily
understood, e.g. ISO 24 dia.
You will then be returned to the Define Thread dialogue box to continue defining further
threads or click C to finish.
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Screwcutting in Lathe Revision A
Tool Selection
After rough and finish turning the component and making the decision on the type of thread
to be cut, a suitable screwcutting tool needs to be selected.
Select MACHINE|Select Tool...
Choose the applicable tool and when it has been displayed on screen accept it by pressing
the LMB [ or press R. The dialogue box opposite will then appear.
Tool Number - this is the number which specifies the tool position of the screwcutting
tool in the tool turret.
Maximum
Spindle Speed - this is the maximum spindle speed of the machine in revs/min. The
default value is set in the post processor. The figure can be changed
to limit the speed further to allow for certain cutting conditions.
Speed - this dictates the spindle speed control. Surface will output the spindle
speed as a Constant Surface Speed. Spindle will output the spindle
speed as direct revs/min as specified. It is common practice when
screwcutting to use Spindle, to be able to specify the revs/min.
Feed - this dictates the feed rate format. per REV will give the specified
amount of movement per spindle revolution. per MIN will give the
specified amount of movement per minute. When screwcutting Feed
per REV should always be used to ensure the correct pitch is achieved.
Turret - this is relating to twin turret machines and specifies whether the tool
in question is above centre line, (X+), or below centre line, (X-). If the
machine has a single turret select Above C/L.
Station - this is with reference to a sub-spindle machine, where Front describes
a tool that will cut on the main spindle and Back describes a tool that
will cut to the sub-spindle. With a single spindle machine select Front.
Set the applicable information, then select K
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Screwcutting in Lathe Revision A
Threading Machining
Select MACHINE|Conventional TurningThreading
AlphaCAM will prompt for the start point of the thread. Select the position.
AlphaCAM will then prompt for the end point of the thread. Select the position.
As AlphaCAM always cuts from the start point to the end point, selection of these points will
determine the direction of cut, either Z- or Z+.
Op. No. - this is the operation number. It is automatically incremented when a
new tool is selected.
Tool Number - this is the number which specifies the tool position on the machine.
Offset Number - this is the number in the tool offset registry on the machine.
Spindle Speed - this is the revs/min of the machine spindle. It needs to be a speed
which is suitable for the cutting conditions, (see Feeds below).
Feeds - it is not possible to select feeds for this operation. They are determined
by the spindle speed and thread pitch.
Coolant - this allows the type of coolant delivery to be specified.
NC Code - this allows specification of the part program output format. Linear will
output the code with a line for each individual movement of the axes.
Canned Cycle will output the program in the format of the machines
threading cycle. The machines canned cycles may override some of
the information selected in the Thread Cut Parameters described on
the following pages.
Set the applicable information, then select K
AlphaCAM will prompt for the file that contains the pre-defined thread information.
Pick the appropriate thread and select
Confirm or edit the thread details and select K
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Screwcutting in Lathe Revision A
Thread Cut Parameters
These dialogue boxes detail how the thread is to be cut. The dialogue box has 2 tabulated
pages, General and Configure, both need to be completed before K is selected. Click
the Configure tab first.
Configure
Hand - Right gives a standard right hand thread. Left gives a left hand thread.
Now AlphaCAM has this information and the direction of cut, it will
determine the spindle direction.
Cut Type - this determines the in-feed direction for the depths of cut. Plunge will
give an in feed of 90 degrees to the direction of thread. Flank will
give an in feed that feeds down the flank angle of the thread, in the
direction of the thread. Zig-Zag will feed alternately down 1 flank
angle and then the other for each depth of cut. The choice is usually
determined by the material being cut.
Cut-Type In-Feed - this determines the way that the material is removed. Variable Depth
will specify that an equal volume of material is removed with each
cut, which ensures uniform cutting for the whole depth of thread.
Constant Depth ensures that the depth of thread is divided into equal
depths of cut, which then results in a very small first cut and a large
last cut. Variable Depth is usually the preferred method.
Direction - this dictates the direction of cut. As Longest Line is used for cylindrical
threads and face threads. Follow Profile would be used for a taper
thread.
In-Feed
After completing this information DO NOT select K pick the General Tab.
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Screwcutting in Lathe Revision A
General
No. of Starts - allows programming of multi-start threads.
Acceleration
Distance - this is the distance applied to the Lead In before the start of the thread
that allows the machine to accelerate up to feed speed to stop
deformation of the first few threads. This distance is also applied to the
Lead Out when Horizontal or Thread Angle are selected. If Vertical is
selected the Lead Out is a rapid move to above the thread diameter.
Number
of Passes - this dictates how many cuts it will take to cut the thread to depth.
Number of
Spring Passes - as the thread is being cut there is sometimes deflection of the part.
Spring cuts are passes at the final depth of cut designed to clean up
any stock left on the thread due to deflection.
Lead In - this determines the direction of cut into the thread. If there is clearance
at the front of the thread then Horizontal can be used. If the thread
starts in an undercut then Vertical would need to be used. Thread
Angle would be used if there is no pre-machined lead already turned
on the part, to chamfer the start of the thread, e.g. a worm thread.
Lead Out - this determines the direction of cut out of the thread. If there is
clearance at the back of the thread then Horizontal can be used. If the
thread finishes in an undercut then Vertical would need to be used.
Thread Angle would be used if there is no undercut and the back of
the thread requires chamfering.
Set the applicable information, then select K
The thread toolpaths will then be applied to the component.
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Screwcutting in Lathe Revision A
AlphaCAM will prompt for the position of the rapids approaching the start of the thread.
Set the rapids either by positioning them with the cursor and then using the LMB [, or
by using the RMB ] to apply a direct straight line rapid. If the 3 Ortho mode is used
this will give only X or only Z moves to position.
This then finishes the threading operation, so it is then necessary to return the tool to tool
change position or apply the next machining operation.
