On Sunday 31 March 2013 18:15:36 Steve Blackmore did opine: > On Sun, 31 Mar 2013 03:44:01 -0400, you wrote: > >> I've seen some vertical milling setups that have a touch block for > >> automatically setting the tool length. I assume the surface of the > >> block is insulated from the machine and has a wire to a controller > >> input to sense when it's grounded by the tool. > > > >Actually, I use a touch block to zero mine for both x & z, z first, > >then x. It sets on the ways, and is backed left up against the > >workpiece mounted in the chuck, so it establishes the Z zero by using > >an offset such that I write code that runs in the -Z range, very > >repeatable, a thou or so. The x is somewhat less accurate because I > >need to rig a single point rest where it sits on the flat back rail of > >the bed now, with so much area sitting on the bed that I can wipe the > >vactra off & move the x home 1 to 3 thou. A single point rear contact > >should help with that. Oh, and be sure to blow the swarf off the > >cutter tip. Don't ask how I know. :) > > Gregg, Gene > > I have used automatic tool touch off devices, and to be honest I find it > easier and quicker to manually set my tools. Particularly so on the > lathe. It needs only be done occasionally if you use quick change tool > holders. I have 10 holders, 8 of those have tools permanently installed > and the other two are for the odds and sods I "may" need to use. > > I also have an auto changer but never managed to get that to work under > Linux. > > Tool 1 is my reference tool, a standard right hand tool with a CNMG type > insert. It's offsets are 0,0 - all other tools have offsets referenced > to that one in the tool table. The offsets only change if you replace an > insert. > > An essential item is missing in LinuxCNC tool tables, that being wear > offsets entry. > > Editing main entries is a PITA and unless you remember what they were > originally you have to go through the process of re-referencing the tool > when you eventually replace the insert rather than just zeroing the wear > offset!! > > The end of the work is always Z0 - all cuts are made in the -Z range. > The centre of the work (C/L of X axis) is X0. Easy and quick to define > both, take a facing cut off the end of the work, call that Z0. Take a > cut along the work, then measure the diameter. Ender that as current X > position (in diameter mode) and your done. You have both X and Z zero's > - takes much less time to do than type :)
I have tried that too, but was never able to make it work, seems my offset that I was entering by reading the diameter, was always being taken as a radius correction. Switch to radius mode, then have to run the mic reading thru the calculator. Its a PIMA Steve, offsets entered should be taken as diameter, not radius. Totally counter-intuitive to me. Actually, ISTR reading trat in the docs, yonks ago, but it needs to be in 36 bold point type in the offset discussion. > Steve Blackmore > -- > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > ------ Own the Future-Intel(R) Level Up Game Demo Contest 2013 > Rise to greatness in Intel's independent game demo contest. Compete > for recognition, cash, and the chance to get your game on Steam. > $5K grand prize plus 10 genre and skill prizes. Submit your demo > by 6/6/13. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/12124-176961-30367-2 > _______________________________________________ > Emc-users mailing list > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users Cheers, Gene -- "There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order." -Ed Howdershelt (Author) My web page: <http://coyoteden.dyndns-free.com:85/gene> is up! My views <http://www.armchairpatriot.com/What%20Has%20America%20Become.shtml> Surprise your boss. Get to work on time. I was taught to respect my elders, but its getting harder and harder to find any... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Own the Future-Intel(R) Level Up Game Demo Contest 2013 Rise to greatness in Intel's independent game demo contest. Compete for recognition, cash, and the chance to get your game on Steam. $5K grand prize plus 10 genre and skill prizes. Submit your demo by 6/6/13. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/12124-176961-30367-2 _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
