Coordinate systems and positions
In SolidCAM, indexed work is programmed using multiple coordinate system positions on one part. The post converts each position into rotary angles plus a tilted plane or rotated work offset, depending on the controller.
Indexed vs simultaneous output
| SolidCAM operation | Typical post output |
|---|---|
| 2.5D / HSS / HSR on an indexed position | Rotary positioning + tilted plane, then 3-axis code |
| Sim. 5-Axis operations | Simultaneous XYZ + 2 rotaries with TCP |
| Drilling on angled faces | Tilted plane + standard canned cycles |
Example: Heidenhain output
* - POSITION 2 (TOP ANGLED FACE)
PLANE SPATIAL SPA+0 SPB+30 SPC+0 TURN MB MAX FMAX
L X+0 Y+0 R0 FMAX
L Z+50 R0 FMAX
CYCL DEF 200 DRILLING ~
...
PLANE RESET STAY
* - SIM 5X FINISH
M128
L X+12.5 Y-4.2 Z+8.1 B+32.4 C+15.6 F1200PLANE SPATIAL with TURN lets the controller position the rotary axes; M128 (or FUNCTION TCPM) activates tool centre point management for simultaneous motion.
Kinematics in the VMID
The VMID must describe the exact kinematic chain and limits. The post uses the same data to choose rotary solutions and avoid limit violations; any mismatch causes simulation and machine to disagree.
Checks before production
- Rotary directions match the machine.
- Tilted planes produce correct positions on a test part.
- TCP keeps the tool tip steady during pure rotary motion.
- Limit handling retracts safely before re-orienting.
Indexed and simultaneous 5-axis share a machine, but they need different logic in the post.
SolidCAM 5-axis posts
See our CNC post processor development service and 3+2 vs simultaneous 5-axis.