Locking of Axis

Identify machining cycles that use intersecting axes. Lock specific axes (spindle or turret) to a desired position, forcing the program to utilize the remaining axis.

Introduction

In CNC programming, particularly when working with machines that have more than five controllable axes, it's often necessary to fix certain axes in place to simplify motion control, reduce programming complexity, or resolve conflicts between overlapping axis functions. GO2cam provides built-in tools to easily lock specific machine axes—rotational or translational—so that only the necessary degrees of freedom are used during machining operations.

Locking unused or redundant axes is essential to ensure stable tool orientation, avoid ambiguous movements, and achieve consistent results in multi-axis setups.

Multi-Axis Machines and Concurrent Axes

Modern CNC machines may include additional axes beyond the traditional 5-axis setup. These could be:

• Translational axes such as U, V, or W,

• Rotary axes on both the spindle and turret,

• Or any combination that results in redundant or intersecting axis groups.

In such cases, multiple axes might be able to achieve the same result. To ensure controlled and predictable tool movement, one of the overlapping axes must be locked, while the other is used by the program.

GO2cam performs a full kinematic analysis of the machine configuration—including machine structure, head kinematics, and setup (fixture)—to identify all programmable axes. It then presents a table of axes that are eligible for locking.

Using the Axis Locking Feature in GO2cam

How to Lock Axes

1. Open the "Setting Part and Fixture" function (either via the part setting or by right-clicking on the part Setting and selecting Setting Part and Fixture).

2. Access the Axis Locking Table that displays all axes defined in the machine’s kinematics.

3. Identify and select the axes to lock by checking them in the list.

4. Enter the desired locked position for each axis:

   • Angular (e.g., A0°, C180°) for rotary axes.

   • Linear (e.g., U = 50 mm) for translational axes.

5. Save the configuration and proceed with programming your operations. GO2cam will now calculate toolpaths using only the remaining unlocked axes.

Only axes with valid identifiers and programmable status can be locked.

Managing Redundant or Concurrent Axes

Some machines have concurrent axis groups, meaning multiple axes can influence the same tool orientation. For example, both the turret and spindle might provide rotation around a common axis. In these cases:

• One axis (e.g., the turret) must be locked to a fixed position.

• The other axis (e.g., the spindle) is used dynamically by the CAM program.

This prevents duplication of motion commands and ensures smooth, collision-free tool movement.

When to Use Axis Locking

Use axis locking in GO2cam when:

• The machine has more than 5 programmable axes.

• You want to eliminate motion on unused or redundant axes.

• You're using complex fixtures where the part must remain in a fixed orientation.

• You're programming operations that rely on a consistent rotational or linear reference.

• You want to simplify kinematic behavior for a given operation by removing extra degrees of freedom.