Machine wizard

The machine wizard creates new machines and edits the active one. It opens in the data management panel with Main menu panel › Utilities › Machine wizard, while the 3D view shows a live preview of the machine.

Before opening the wizard SPC asks to save the modified NC files and the open project, then reloads the machine. When the wizard is closed, SPC asks to save the changes and reloads the machine.

The buttons on top: New machine..., Save, Save as..., Close.

Machine

• Machine data
  Name, type and numerical control of the machine.
• Spindle
  Power (kW) and maximum speed (rpm) of the spindle, used by Cut optimization for the maximum removal rate and speed.
• Tool change
  Tool change position and tool unload/load sequences.
• Reference point (G28) and Machine origin (G53)
  Their positions.

Kinematic

The kinematic chain is shown as a tree with three branches:

	Base The fixed structure of the machine.
	Workpiece side The elements that move the workpiece (tables), from the base to the part.
	Tool side The elements that move the tool (heads), from the base to the spindle.
	Element types Static, rotary and linear elements.

Elements can be added, deleted and moved up and down in the chain. For each element:

• Name, Alias and Type (static, rotary or linear);
• File: the STL geometry of the element, with Color and Transparency (0–90%, 0 = opaque; saved in the Transparence attribute of Machine.xml);
• Min stroke and Max stroke of the axis;
• Modulo 360° (shortest path), for rotary axes: in G90 the axis reaches the target by the shortest way (for example from C7.465 to C357.289 it turns by -10.2°) and has no overtravel check; G91 is unchanged. When not set in the machine file, a rotary axis is modulo if its stroke is at least 360°;
• Origin and Vector of the axis, Opposite direction;
• Mesh offset of the geometry (= -Origin fills it from the origin);
• Voxel size and Collision check.

Axes test

Moves each axis with a slider to verify the kinematic chain in the 3D view; Home, Tool change position and Reference point move the machine to those positions.

Post processor

The post-processor used to convert CL/APT files: executable name, folder and parameters, configuration file and extension, output folder and extension.