Tangent Axis

Tangent Axis Operation

The tangent axis automatically aligns the tool with the direction of motion in the XY plane when NC.TangentAxis.Active is enabled
It is not directly controlled by standard G-code.

Behavior

During cutting moves (G1/G2/G3), the tangent axis aligns with the motion direction.
During rapid moves (G0/G53), it transitions to the next required orientation.
The system may automatically insert Z-axis raise and plunge motions as needed.

Repositioning Sequence

Transition behavior is based on NC.TangentAxis.MaxAngle

Angle ≤ MaxAngle
- Smooth transition around the corner for XY and Tangent axes
Angle > MaxAngle
- Safe repositioning sequence:
- Raise to NC.TangentAxis.RaisedZPosition
- Rotate the tangent axis to the required new angle for the next move
- Return to NC.TangentAxis.CutZPosition using NC.TangentAxis.PlungeZFeedrate

Key Parameters

NC.TangentAxis.Active
- Set to 1 to enable tangent control
- Set to 0 to disable tangent control
NC.TangentAxis.MaxAngle
- Blend vs. reposition threshold to allow for sharp corners (e.g., 90 degree) to be cut without rounding
- For angles above this threshold, the safe repositioning sequence is automatically injected
- For angles below this threshold, the tangent axis motion is automatically blended in with the move
NC.TangentAxis.RaisedZPosition
- Safe Z position height, used for rapid and repositioning moves
NC.TangentAxis.CutZPosition
- Z-axis position used for cutting operations, during non-rapid (G1, G2, G3) moves.
- This position is in the current local coordinate system, equivalent to a G01 Z#<NC.TangentAxis.CutZPosition> command
NC.TangentAxis.PlungeZFeedrate- Z-Axis feedrate used for vertical moves in the injected sequence

Examples

Simple lines:
N01 G00 X0 Y0 Z20 ; Rapid motion to the start at safe height. Tangent axis at the end of the segment will be aligned for the start of the working segment
N02 G01 Z0 F1200   ; Z move to the working height. Tangent axis is still aligned to the next segment start.
N03 G01 Y100 F3000   ; 1st working segment straight up, positive Y direction (Z plunge segment will be inserted before)
N04 G01 Z20 F1200 ; Z move to the safe height. Tangent axis is aligned with the previous segment end position
N05 G00 X100   ; Rapid Move to 2nd start. Tangent axis rotates from the previous segment end to the next segment start position
N06 G01 Z0 F1200   ; Z move to the working height. Tangent axis is still aligned to the next segment start.
N07 G01 Y0   ; 2nd working segment straight down, negative Y direction (Z plunge segment will be inserted before)
N08 G01 Z20 ; Z move to the safe height. Tangent axis is aligned with the previous segment end position

Same as above with omitting the Z segments. Z Plunge and raise segments will be inserted automatically.
N01 G00 X0 Y0 Z20 ; Rapid motion to start at safe height
N02 G01 Y100 F3000   ; 1st working segment straight up, positive Y direction (Z plunge segment will be inserted before)
N03 G00 X100   ; Rapid Move to 2nd start (Z raise segment will be inserted before)
N04 G01 Y0   ; 2nd working segment straight down, negative Y direction (Z plunge segment will be inserted before)
N05 G01 Z20 ; Raise Z-Axis out of the cut
Corner behavior:
N01 G00 X0 Y0 Z20 ; Rapid motion to start at safe height
N02 G01 Y100 F3000 ; 1st working segment straight up, positive Y direction (Z plunge segment will be inserted before)
N03 G01 X100 ; 90 degree angle for corner is above angle threshold. Reposition sequence is automatically inserted (lift Z, rotate tangent, lower Z)
N04 G01 X200 Y0 ; 3rd working segment, below angle threshold. The Tangent axis motion blends the corner with the XY axes
N05 G01 Z20 ; Raise Z-Axis out of the cut