|

The Benefits of Effector Offsets: The Invisible Tech that Delivers Real Results

November 2, 2022

Effector Offsets - ANCA

By Lucas Hale, Global Marketing Manager 

An important part of being a leader in CNC machine technology is striving for innovation. Whether it’s by exploring ways to evolve the mechanics of the machine, or by creating revolutionary new software for it, innovation has been central to ANCA’s 45-year history.

The use of software control in cutting tool manufacture has made the process easier and more precise. And we continue to look for ways to improve our machines. 

Two huge benefits of software control are effector offsets and ANCA’s patented soft axes system. Let’s review them both. 

The effector offsets effect

So, let’s start with what an effector is. The term comes from robotics, where an end effector is the device at the end of a robotic arm, designed to interact with the environment. What that device is depends on what the robot is built to do. These could be jaws to grip something, needles to penetrate something, a vacuum to hold something, and so on.

In CNC machining, we’ve adopted this term to refer to the cutting wheels on the machine. And, as you know, cutting wheels come in different sizes. So, when programming the movement of the spindle along a tool, we need to take into account the size and length of the cutting wheel.

An effector offset is a point in space a distance away from the spindle center to the grind point on the edge of the wheel that actually does the cutting. The machine needs to recognize what the diameter and length of the cutting tool is and compensate for that when following its programmed path. This is all handled by the ANCA software, so there’s no complicated maths required of the operator. 

Another advantage for the operator is that the position display of the machine also uses this effector point, so the programmed position and the actual position are in the same reference frame. This ‘what you see is what you get’ approach makes for much easier operation.

All you really need to know is that it’s all being taken care of by the control system to ensure you’re cutting the tool where you want to cut it.

The invention of soft axes

The introduction of soft axes is a truly revolutionary development in CNC machine technology. Soft axes refer to software axes that make it much easier to program complex axis combinations. 

ANCA CNC machines are unique in offering nine axes capability. The five physical axes are the X-Axis, which is parallel to the tool movement, the Y-Axis, which is horizontal to the tool movement, the Z-Axis, which is vertical, the A-Axis, which rotates the tool clockwise and anticlockwise, and the C-Axis, which rotates the wheel pack clockwise and anticlockwise.

Then there are the four soft axes. The B-Axis movement is always around the edge of the wheel. The B input value is entered in degrees—a positive value moves it clockwise around the wheel, while a negative value moves it anticlockwise. The U-Axis movement is always radially towards the center of the wheel. The V-Axis movement is perpendicular to the front surface of the wheel. And the W-Axis movement is tangential to the edge of the wheel.

This greatly reduces the number of calculations required when moving from point to point between the tool and wheel. By simply inputting the soft axis B value, the ANCA software will calculate all the spline points itself and automatically perform the necessary moves.

The addition of these extra soft axes offers quite a few benefits. For a start, it makes it much easier to design significantly more complex parts, optimized for performance. The ability to better control the speed of the movement along the path can result in a more uniform surface finish. And the quality of the parts produced is increased. What formerly required multiple setups can be achieved in one, reducing the chance of any errors. 

ANCA holds a patent on the soft axes system technology. It provides operators using our machines far greater flexibility and broadens the capability of what they’re able to produce. 

And there’s nothing soft about that. 

Source

More Information

ANCA

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • How Omron’s VHV5 is Making High-Performance Barcode Reading Effortless

    July 10, 2025 Omron’s new VHV5 Ultra-High Performance Barcode Reader is designed for barcode reading applications in industries like automotive, food packaging, and logistics. It offers unparalleled ease of use, automated intelligent setup, and superior performance. Ease of Use One of the standout features of the VHV5 is its user-friendly design. The reader simplifies the… Read More…

  • MOXA Next-Generation LAN Firewalls: Enhancing Industrial Security and Reliability

    July 7, 2025 Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure have become an all-too-familiar reality. While no longer shocking headline news, their effects are far-reaching, disrupting essential services that people and organizations rely on daily. From power grids to transportation systems and water treatment facilities, these infrastructures are at the heart of modern life and are highly vulnerable… Read More…


Featured Article

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing and logistics industries, the need for efficient and flexible material movement solutions has never been greater. Traditional methods like conveyor systems, forklifts, and manual pushcarts have served us well, but they come with limitations.

That’s why Omron is thrilled to announce the launch of their game-changing MD Series of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Read more


Products

  • mGuard Secure Cloud Version 3.1 is Released from Phoenix Contact

    July 10, 2025 The mGuard Secure Cloud from Phoenix Contact allows secure remote access to machines and systems worldwide. Version 3.1 is now available with immediate effect. This version of mGuard comes with numerous new features, including China VPN+, which enables reliable and officially approved VPN connections to China. The new version also supports additional router… Read More…

  • SEW-EURODRIVE Now Offers GearOil by SEW-EURODRIVE in Heavy Industry Gear Units

    July 9, 2025 Optimized Lubrication—Engineered by SEW-EURODRIVE, Now Available for Many Large Industrial Drive Applications SEW-EURODRIVE is proud to announce that GearOil by SEW-EURODRIVE is now available as an option with its heavy industry gear units. This synthetic lubricant, formulated and tested by SEW-EURODRIVE engineers specifically for SEW-EURODRIVE gear geometries and thermal loads, is now offered as part… Read More…