[krustykrab]

Hi,

I have a friend that has a Fanuc 18i controller who wants to start running programs with multiple tool changes.

On my Fanuc 20, I pick up each tool and enter the value in the tool offset page for the length. The value I get is from the Relative Z location, which, seems to be relative to the machine home position.

However, when he picks up his tools, the Relative Z location is relative to the Absolute location. Is there some kind of parameter to change so that his Relative position is relative to the machine absolute position?

I'm not sure if this makes any sense to anyone, but I hope so.

What I do on the fanuc20, is first pick up my X0Y0 location on the job and enter the machine absolute position in the G54 table. Then I reference my Z pickup to a block and whatever that number turns out to be (like z=-206mm), then I enter a value in the G54 table Z=206.
So, then I go and pick up each tool on that block and type in the "relative" Z value....which is the SAME as my Machine absolute value. These will be the H values when each tool is called up in the program.

This has always worked for me....mostly self taught. Is it wrong? And why does the 18i Relative position reflect the Absolute position?

I'm guessing that I have to cancel the G54 before picking up the tools?