Next: 12.2.1 Cutter Radius Compensation Up: 12. Programming Tool Compensation Previous: 12.1 Tool Length Offsets Contents Index

# 12.2 Cutter Radius Compensation

Cutter Diameter Compensation (also called Cutter Radius Compensation) is something that was obviously added onto the RS-274D specification at the demand of users, as it is VERY useful, but the implementation was poorly thought out. The purpose of this feature is to allow the programmer of the tool path program to 'virtualize' the tool path, so that the control can, at run time, determine the correct offset from the surface to be cut, based on the tools available. If you resharpen the side cutting edges of end mills, then they will end up smaller than the standard diameters.

The problem is to describe to the control whether the tool is going to be cutting on the outside of an imaginary path, or on the inside. Since these paths are not necessarily closed paths (although they can be), it is essentially impossible for the control to know which side of the line it is supposed to offset to. It was decided that there would only be two choices, tool 'left' of path, and tool 'right' of path. This is to be interpreted as left or right 'when facing the direction of cutter motion'. The interpretation is as if you were standing on the part, walking behind the tool as it progresses across the part.

Subsections

- 12.2.1 Cutter Radius Compensation Detail
  - Programming Instructions
  - D Number
  - Tool Table
  - Two Kinds of Contour
  - Material Edge Contour
  - Tool Path Contour
  - Programming Errors and Limitations
- First Move
  - Programming Entry Moves
  - General Method
  - Simple Method
  - Other Items Where Cutter Radius Compensation is Performed.
  - Algorithms for Cutter Radius Compensation
- Jon Elson's Example
  - Endnotes

Next: 12.2.1 Cutter Radius Compensation Up: 12. Programming Tool Compensation Previous: 12.1 Tool Length Offsets Contents Index