Machining strategies

There are two machining strategies used for 5-axis machining:

Continuous 5-axis machining
3+2 axis machining

MASSO supports machining using either strategy.

Continuous 5-axis machining

Continuous 5-axis machining is where all five axes move simultaneously under G-code control to machine the part.

Example

N10 G1 X10 Y25 Z1.7 A48 B174 
N20 G1 X12 Y25 Z2 A50 B174

In this example, all axes move together to their target positions. Each axis arrives at the same time, producing a smooth, curved surface.

3+2 axis machining

3+2 machining rotates the material into position using the A and B axes, then locks those axes in place while machining is performed using the X, Y, and Z axes. Once machining is complete, the part is rotated to a new position and the process is repeated.

Example

N10 G1 A48 B174
N20 G1 X10 Y25 Z1.7
N30 G1 A50 B174
N30 G1 X12 Y25 Z2

Although this G-code looks similar to the continuous 5-axis example, it produces a very different machining result because only three axes move at a time.

Kinematics

MASSO does not support:

TCP (Tool Centre Point)
RTCP (Rotated Tool Centre Point)
TCPC (Tool Centre Point Control)

MASSO does not perform kinematic calculations.

All kinematics and toolpath calculations must be handled in your CAM software. If the tool length changes from the value defined in the G-code program, the toolpaths must be recalculated in CAM and a new G-code file loaded before machining begins.

Tool Length

Tool length handling depends on the type of 5-axis machine.

For machines with a pivoting head, tool length must be measured from the point of rotation. To machine accurately, the physical tool length must exactly match the tool length defined in the G-code file.

The machine operator is responsible for setting the correct tool length. This is typically managed by:

Using a dedicated tool-length setting jig, or
Using pre-measured tools installed in collets

A, B, and C axes

MASSO currently uses the A and B axes for angular movement and does not support a dedicated C axis.

If your machine has a C axis, it must be mapped to either the A or B axis in your CAM post-processor.

Support for renaming either the A or B axis to C is currently under development and is in alpha testing, with a beta release planned in a future update.