Squaring Stock with 88HS

[Trebol]

Hi there.

I have a question regarding edge setup using the 88HS.

I'm familiar with the methods of setting offsets for say a 90 deg corner or center of a circle etc.

If I have some square stock I want to set up on the table, is the only way to truly get its edge parallel to the X axis to dial it in, or does the 88HS have a function somewhere to put in say two corners or a corner and an edge and thus define how far off being parallel to the X axis the part is? this would thus eliminate the need to dial the edge of the stock to true it to the X axis...
I'm guessing that this may be a limitation for the controller but I would be happy to hear otherwise!!

Obviously I could put in larger stock and contour it down to size and thus everything will line up by default, but what if the outside of part is already to size?

I have heard of some other controllers being able to do this and thus pseudo shift the machine's axis' creating an offset for the stock being slightly off axis on the table.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[David Ferguson]

We align the vice (which generally holds the stock) to the X-axis of the machine. If I was bolting stock to the table, I would just bolt it down aligned.

There is no provision for "rotating" the coordinate system in the 88hs control.

[Neal]

It is possible to rotate the execution of the program by applying the G68 code. Check your Users Manual for the proper syntax.
Simply calcutate the degrees of alignment error and use that degree to rotate the program. A positive angle will rotate clockwise and a negative angle will rotate counter clockwise.
Taking the extra few minutes to align the stock with an indicator where ever possible is an easier approach but sometimes the part configuration makes that impossible.

Neal

[Trebol]

Thanks for the replies, really appreciate the info!