tool offsets and tool changes in mach3

[Justin Cavender]

Can anyone tell me the procedure for height offsets. and can you setup some kind of tool change routine for mach3?

[ger21]

The easiest way is to use an auto tool zero to let Mach3 set the tool height. Big Tex's version allows you to auto zero after a tool change.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/mach_w...r_big-tex.html

My 2010 screen has a modified version that auto zeroes during a tool change.

[Justin Cavender]

Ger where do i download it? and what is the process for letting mach 3 set the tool height? I have done it on a haas mill where you touch the tool off and hit tool offset measure is it similar in mach3? I want to be sure of what im doing before i make cuts with my new machine thanks

[ger21]

Links to the screens are at ArtSoft USA - Screensets

If you want to use the stock screen, you'll need to modify it to work with the macro's that are posted in the thread I linked to.

You need to have a plate wired to the probe input in Mach3, and the tool needs to complete the circuit when it touches the plate. For tool changes, you need two plates, one you place on the workpiece, and another in a fixed location on the machine, that is used as a reference position to get the length of tools after tool changes.

There's more info on Auto Zero maro's here.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/cnc_wo...tool_zero.html