I'm new to cnc and took a class at school to run the Haas machine there.

The initial set up requires I touch off each tool I'm using and save the z-dir and also align the program zero point.

This seems to be a very manually intensive process. Are there machines/tools that automatically touch off the tools?

For example, if my g-code uses T1, T2, T4 then can't the cnc touch the tool with some sort of sensor and know when it hits the table (i.e. like an auto calibrate).

For the x/y position, I suppose I can set up stops so that work zero is the same place. I've searched this forum and saw some guys use a laser cross hair.

What does everyone else do to speed up the Touch off tool and program zero points?

Tanks in advance!

Welcome To The Zone


This should interest you.


http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=436238#post436238


Jeff...

Check the thread in the Haas forum there are several discussing probes. Maybe if you did a cnczone search using renishaw you would find them.

But all I can say is if you find touching off the tools "to be a very manually intensive process" on a Haas machine you have a very different concept of manually intensive than I have.

Thanks for the info. Suppose an engineer gives you a set up sheet and g-code output from a CAM package to cut a square part. The cut uses 5 different tools.

How long would you say it takes to touch off the 5 tools? In class, they showed us to spin up the drill then watch as bits start to start coming up. In the haas manual, it says bring it down slowly until you can't move a piece a paper anymore. From the time I push the change tool button to the time I press the next change tool button, it probably takes 2-3 mins. I would imagine if I had 20 different tools it would take a very long time!

Do you touch off to the table typically or to the top of the part?

Do most people in the industry keep the tool touch offs in memory or do they perform a touch off each time they make a part?

I would imagine it'd be possible to touch off the tool only once unless it wears down/breaks and as long as it's in the same holder, you can keep that in memory somewhere to call up again.

Read this thread. I started it to describe the technique we use. Also do the serach I suggested using 'renishaw'

Some people think that probes are the neatest thing since sliced bread; I am not convinced.

I think you have not had a competent enough teacher if it takes you 2 - 3 minutes per tool.



http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41641


EDIT: Don't do a serach do a search:D

Two fingered typing doesn't always work correctly.