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Controlling the 5X Connection Point
In general, a 5X connection occurs when one of the axes reaches its hard limit, at the minimal or maximal allowed angle. GPP2 moves to the "other" solution, which is typically within the allowed range.
For instance, assume that a given A table axis has a range of -10 to +110 degrees. A connection will happen near the minimum point, when the axis needs to move from -9 to -11 degrees. GPP2 will swap solutions (from -9 to 9) and then move to 11 degrees.
It may be desired to perform this unavoidable swap at a different point, say near the 0 axis angle, although the axis can rotate beyond 0 (till -10). For instance, a swap near the zero point may be done using in-place swap (without leaving the part).
GPP2 provides four variables that control the location of the swap points. Each variable is relevant to one axis (A or B) and one extreme point (minimum or maximum). The EX2 program may set one or more of these variables in order to control the angle of each swap. Each variable only takes effect if the relevant reason caused the swap:
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M5_A_SWAP_MIN |
Relevant only if the swap was caused by axis A reaching its minimum angle. |
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M5_A_SWAP_MAX |
Relevant only if the swap was caused by axis A reaching its maximum angle. |
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M5_B_SWAP_MIN |
Relevant only if the swap was caused by axis B reaching its minimum angle. |
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M5_B_SWAP_MAX |
Relevant only if the swap was caused by axis B reaching its maximum angle. |
Notes:
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GPP2 will ignore the setting of these variables for cyclic or resettable axes (such axes never cause a solution swap). The variables are only considered for axes with hard limits.
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The relevant variables must be "set on" in order for GPP2 to consider them. The EX2 program must explicitly set them on in addition to assigning them with a value (especially if that value is 0).
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The EX2 program may set one or more of these variables (independently of each other).
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While the variable names may suggest that they represent a range of some sort (min and max), they do not. They independently refer to swaps caused by reaching the minimum and maximum axis extreme points.
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GPP2 will look for a toolpath point that is closest to the desired swap point. However, it will not generate a new point at the exact desired angle. Therefore, the actual swap point may not be exactly as desired, but just near it.
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GPP2 will attempt to move the swap to the desired angle specified by the relevant control variable. However, the success is not guaranteed. If the algorithm fails to find a point close to the desired angle, the swap will take place at the original position (near the extreme point that caused it).
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It is possible to add a random value, within a given range, to the actual swap point. That way, the swap point in each lane may be slightly shifted to either side, resulting in an even distribution of the points where the tool has to break contact with the metal. This may add to the final surface quality (because the connection points are not found on an exact line or curve).
To use the random range, the EX2 program needs to set the M5_SWAP_RANGE variable to the range size. The actual swap point will be shifted to either side by a random number, between zero and ±M5_SWAP_RANGE. For instance, if the desired swap angle was zero, and M5_SWAP_RANGE is 5 degrees, then the actual swap point will be set randomly, anywhere between -5 and +5 degrees.
The M5_SWAP_RANGE variable applies to all the controlled swap positions, if (and only if) set by the four variables (A or B, min or max) described above.
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