Tool Assembly Conventions for Turning

General Comments

The Machining Axis is always a direct axis system. For example, ZX defines a direct axis system with Z as the spindle axis and X as the radial axis.

Selected geometry (for example, Finish Profile Turning) can be selected either in X+ or X- :

the system will figure out whether machining is in X+ or X- based on Insert-Holder orientation (as defined using Set-Up Angle)
depending on the options of a Machining Operation, several possibilities might exist,
(for example, Frontal machining). User option is then available (X+/X-) to specify what the system should do.

The Output Point definition is considered according to the X+/Z+ quadrant.

Examples below deal with Horizontal Lathe Machine Tool.

Insert Holder

Different settings of the Setup Angle, Invert Tool and Hand Style parameters result in different configurations for positioning the tool .

Left Tool: Insert is visible and points to left:

Inverted Left Tool :

Right Tool: Insert is visible and points to right:

Inverted Right Tool:

Output Point

In the following figure reference is made according to the Spindle/Radial Axis (Z/X)

Spindle Rotary Direction

With a Horizontal Lathe Machine Tool the convention for spindle rotary direction defined in the Machine Editor dialog box is as follows:
Looking into Z direction, Chuck & Jaws at your back.

Clockwise

Counterclockwise

The following represent common settings:

180deg Setup Angle

When Setup angle is set to 180deg, machining takes places in X- as system detects that this is what the tool can machine (geometry can be selected in X+ or X-).

Direct Machining Axis

As the Machining Axis is always considered as being direct, the two situations below are the same (this corresponds to a rotation around the spindle axis).

Summary

The following figures summarize conditions for lathe tool assemblies.

The figure below shows other settings for different output points.