The macro for the cable reel groove carries out the roughing and finishing of a circular groove developed in a helical manner in the direction of the Z axis; it is similar to a tapping but with a circular profile. This macro can be used for machining grooves on cable reels, radial grooves for conveying cooling fluid or for all applications where a radial profile with a constant pitch must be machined.

It’s used both when machining is carried out in the negative and in the positive Z direction: this is the case when reeling pulleys with right and left helixes on the same pulley must be executed. The entry must always take place in an unloaded zone or outside the workpiece. The exit can also take place in the solid. It automatically calculates a smooth exit from the piece, always following the angle of the helix; in fact, it is possible to choose the type of exit from the piece using a parameter.

When roughing, the cuts for opening the reel grooves are calculated automatically on the basis of the tool’s load percentage. The CNC macro will automatically calculate the number of cuts required to rough the profile for each diametrical co-ordinate. In finishing, on the other hand, it will be possible to set the maximum height of the ridge that determines the roughness of the profile; the macro will automatically calculate the cuts both on the radius of the connection with the external diameter and on the entire radiused profile. The macro is compatible with all Fanuc turning controls, but it is always a good idea to check the requirements indicated in the “Warnings” section of the manual.