The best way to use "Fixture Offsets" In a CNC88?


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    Default The best way to use "Fixture Offsets" In a CNC88?

    We used work offsets everyday where I used to work. Several of the tools in the machine were common in every machine. Tool 1 was always set to a length of 0.00". We then used tool 1 to find the top of the part and set Z0 for whatever work coordinate we wanted to use. This was the first real CNC production shop I had worked in. Every where else I ever worked were Mould and Fixture shops.

    Could someone give a step by step detailed walkthrough of how to go about setting up a Fadal CNC88 in a similar manner. I would like to leave certain tools in the machine always ready to run and use tool 1 to find the top of the part.

    Thanks,
    Don

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    Monkeywrench Technician DareBee's Avatar
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    My method is not exactly what you have asked but is close.

    I set all tool tips to 0.0 on the table.
    You then measure or calculate the height to the top (or bottom) of your workpiece from the table.

    Eg my 4th axis is 6.5 to center
    my vise is 2.875 to the base + parallel + Mat thickness.
    Face of 3 jaw chuck 3.937

    My 4th axis is G58
    Vise is G54 (axis is XY 0)
    3 jaw is g55 (back jaw and work stop = 0)

    Sometimes I need to pick up 1 edge for my fixture offset but frequently I need to pick up nothing.

    I do not use Z offsets for the fixture. Simply because I don't know how it will work, I have never had time to piss around figuring it out (if it is even doable?) and what I do works real good anyway.

    I do most of my programming in CAM and offset the regions or model above Z zero to correspond with the fixture height on the machine.

    Eg If the top of my material is 5" above table and I am cutting a 1" deep slot my tool will be programmed at H(tool number)Z4.0

    IF I am required to pick up or remachine a precision component I will still do a custom setup (indicate the part itself and set tools to the part itself) to ensure that my setup is the best it can be.

    www.integratedmechanical.ca


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    Default WFO's

    Everyone I have always taught, I had to break old habits of setting tools to the top of a part.

    In rapid prototype and production work I use common (T1-T11) tools set with a tool height setter off of the table, THEY STAY IN THE MACHINE, AND STAY SET!!!! Always use fixture offsets for x,y,& z. Way faster!!! When running 7-9 workstations for a single part every dimension is infinitely adjustable that way. No guessing the distance from the top of G54 to G56 etc...

    As for the 4th axis, some times I'll run a work fixture offset off of centerline for turned parts etc..., but for the fixtures using the tombstones I use g54, g55, etc. I want each tool in the spindle ONCE for the entire part or parts!!!

    Mark

    Mark D. Walton
    Ridge Runnin' Mfg.


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    Quote Originally Posted by mad mark View Post
    In rapid prototype and production work I use common (T1-T11) tools set with a tool height setter off of the table, THEY STAY IN THE MACHINE, AND STAY SET!!!! Always use fixture offsets for x,y,& z. Way faster!!! When running 7-9 workstations for a single part every dimension is infinitely adjustable that way. No guessing the distance from the top of G54 to G56 etc...


    Mark
    Mark,

    It sounds like you are describing exactly what I want to do. Can you give a step by step of setting up the tooling and offsets to work this way. One problem I have already run into when setting the fixture offsets the machine wants to move to X0, Y0, Z0. It looks like a recipe for disaster. Does it really make a difference as far as fixture offsets are concerned if I am running Format 1 or 2?

    Thanks,
    Don



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    Default Fadal fixture offsets

    First thing I have to ask if your using format 1 or 2
    format 1 is fadals specific programming setup using E1-E99
    format 2 is Fanuc compatible using G54-59 fixture offsets
    So what would you rather have 99 or 6 base fixture offsets?
    To check this at "ENTER NEXT COMMAND" command prompt
    punch in SETP (set parameters) enter
    From here you can change which format the control runs in

    After 20+ years of running Fadals I have just a couple of things to say
    about setting the tools and fixture offsets
    KEEP IT SIMPLE!!!
    I "ALWAYS" set the tool length offsets to the top Z0 of the part
    ALWAYS!!!, If you do this with a tool height block or off the table
    and then set a Z value into the fixture offsets this just confuses
    the next guy
    This also ensures that the programmed values equal the part dimensions
    Unless you like back calculating numbers
    The only time I use a Z value fixture offsets is when I have multiple
    parts and this value is the difference in height between E1 and E2
    either plus or minus
    So this means that fixture offset E1 has no Z value
    To find this height for E2-E3-E4 etc
    just write down the tool length offset for T1
    Jog T1 over and touch it to the top of the part at E2
    subtract this new E2 value from the tool length offset value of T1
    you wrote down earlier
    and enter this difference into the control at fixture #2

    The machine will now change the tool heights for the next fixture offset
    If you break a tool just jog back to the first surface you set all the tools
    lengths at in the initial setup E1 and punch in SL,1 or SL,2 etc. and enter

    Pretty simple and easy control to learn
    But if you get into the fixture offset utilities
    Just wait till someone sees you locate a round part with an edge finder
    to find a center
    Yes, you just read this correctly
    Locate the center of a round part with an edge finder
    It works very well and accuratly
    I didn't believe it myself at first, Then I checked it with an indicator
    I was off only about .0005" TIR

    Hope this helps
    Widgits



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    I've always used format 2............

    moved to xo yo zo?? machine zero's???

    try G0 G90 G54 X0 Y0, don't call up Z0 you have to have the tool height offset in there for whatever tool is in the spindle.....

    t1m6
    g0 g90 g54 x0 y0 z5.0 h1......
    t2m6
    g0 g90 g54 x0y0 z5.0 h2......
    this will go to E1 or g54 and 5" above the part with that tool only. This is why when you use multiple wfo's you don't set the tools to the top of one part, SET THEM TO A COMMON HEIGHT FROM THE TABLE!

    Mark D. Walton
    Ridge Runnin' Mfg.


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    Quote Originally Posted by mad mark View Post
    moved to xo yo zo?? machine zero's???
    Not the machine 0's but the Offset 0's. I did not have a Z height called only X & y but it went to Z 0 anyway. The next line had my H1 Z0.1 tool height call, so then it moved 0.1 above the part. Luckily I had called the length of the tool 0 and had used it to pick up the top of the part. Apparently that is not going to work.

    1. So set the tools to a common plane.
    2. How do I then find the top of part for the fixture offset? Can I use tool 1?

    Sorry if I'm a little dense on this but it is not working at all how I was used to it.

    Don



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    Quote Originally Posted by widgits View Post
    KEEP IT SIMPLE!!!
    I "ALWAYS" set the tool length offsets to the top Z0 of the part
    ALWAYS!!!, If you do this with a tool height block or off the table
    and then set a Z value into the fixture offsets this just confuses
    the next guy
    Hi Widgits,

    Yeah I ran a Fadal for about 6 years back in the 90's, and that is how I always did it too. However, having worked in a production environment I found I do like not having to touch every tool every setup. It was great to grab tool 1 and touch the top of the part and the first 10 tools were set just like that. For that reason tool 1 always had a length of 0, all the other tools were comped from that. As far as the "next guy", that's me too! I'm confused most of the time anyway so I don't think this procedure can hurt to much.

    Thanks for the feedback,
    Don



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    most lean shops will tell you that things need to be standardized, if the next guy is confused or wants to run a job differently, train him on the standard. Minimizing set-ups on prototype and production is the name of the game, and not having to reset tools every job is step #1!!! Have a standard tool list at each machine ie.....t1=3" face mill t2=3/4" rough end mill t3=1/2" rough end mill etc......those tools are set and stay put every job.....in order to do this you have to set the tools to a place other than the top of the part!!!! Fadal format 2 recognizes E values so have your post out put e1, e2, e3, etc....

    Your fixture offset is the difference between where the tools are set and the fixture you're using. Off of the table that would be a positive value. If I had to reset tools at my old job where we had 300+ tool magazines a 1 hour set-up would have taken ten hours and I'd be looking for another job!!!

    Mark D. Walton
    Ridge Runnin' Mfg.


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    Just wait till someone sees you locate a round part with an edge finder
    to find a center
    Yes, you just read this correctly
    Locate the center of a round part with an edge finder
    It works very well and accuratly
    I didn't believe it myself at first, Then I checked it with an indicator
    I was off only about .0005" TIR
    Could you elaborate on this a little? I'd definatly have a use for this tip. Do you need to start in the apporximate center of the circle, or will any three spots work?

    I program all my tools off the table or bed of the vise, whichever I'm using. I end up putting a positive offset in the z value of the fixture offset. The problem with fadal format 1 is when you call the offset, even if you don't specify a z move the machine will try to adjust the z the ammount of the offset. This means with 2.000 in the z offset for E1, then a G0X1.Y-1.E1 the machine ends up moving the z axis up two inches. I don't know if this is true for format 2 or not. This is certainly not the case with my old Haas TM-1 or new Okuma MCV4020. To get around the problem I put the x y z move and call the Tool and work offset in the same line. I don't like this method because Fadals slow down all the axis when one axis decelerates. Does anyone know if this happens in format 2?



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    Quote Originally Posted by DareBee View Post
    ....Eg If the top of my material is 5" above table and I am cutting a 1" deep slot my tool will be programmed at H(tool number)Z4.0...
    We do things very similar to Darbee with one difference: Our reference point is not at the table but at a point higher than the highest part. We do production on our own products so we know how high that is.

    The reason for this is because errors get made in number entry: One possible error is punching the negative sign when the value to be entered should be positive.

    If the value should be positive and a negative is entered you finish up a long way further down than you should be with probably disatrous consequences.

    If the value should be negative and a positive is entered you finish up machining air which is much quieter.

    An open mind is a virtue...so long as all the common sense has not leaked out.


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    Member dertsap's Avatar
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    the best experience that i had in a production environment was to have all the tools located from the table (tool probe) , we designed the fixturing with locating pins , on the virtical we had a sub plate that all the fixtures bolted to , on the horizontal the tombstones were fitted the same , everything was set using g10 and a lot of use of g52 shifts , it was idiot proof drop the fixture on load the programs press cycle start and walk away
    the use of keeping the same tools and setting up in a way that a fixture always locates in the same position is a huge time saver in the long run especially when g10 can be utilized



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    Quote Originally Posted by Edster View Post
    I program all my tools off the table or bed of the vise, whichever I'm using. I end up putting a positive offset in the z value of the fixture offset. The problem with fadal format 1 is when you call the offset, even if you don't specify a z move the machine will try to adjust the z the ammount of the offset. This means with 2.000 in the z offset for E1, then a G0X1.Y-1.E1 the machine ends up moving the z axis up two inches. I don't know if this is true for format 2 or not. This is certainly not the case with my old Haas TM-1 or new Okuma MCV4020. To get around the problem I put the x y z move and call the Tool and work offset in the same line. I don't like this method because Fadals slow down all the axis when one axis decelerates. Does anyone know if this happens in format 2?
    I'd like more input on this as well; this is the problem I see with using the offsets to set the Z. It looks like crash city to me. Can anyone elaborate on how format 2 handles this or if there is another way around having the machine move to zero when the offset is callled.

    Again; what I would like to do is leave tool 1 at a length of 0 and use it for picking up the Z 0 position. Is this possible?

    Thanks,
    Don



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    I would concur with Geof, about using a height block that is higher than the highest part. For example, I set tools off a 6" high 2-4-6 block with a 2" height presetting dial gauge, making a total of exactly 8" to the table.

    Then, I take a inexpensive digital height gauge and zero it on top of the stack just described. Now, slide the height gauge over to the part, wind down and touch, note the reading, and enter that as a Z work offset. It will always be a negative value if correctly entered, and if positive by fat-fingering mistake, the machine stops higher than intended

    I would not be concerned about making T1 = 0 on a mill (lathe maybe yes) because chances are, you are going to end up with positive and negative tool lengths because of the arbitrary length of "T1". The best routine is negative Z tool length offsets, because once again, an error in omiting a minus sign still results in the tool being up in the safe, quiet, air cutting zone, or a machine overtravel alarm towards Z+

    Further, if the tool reference plane is set initially on top of the gauge block stack, then that is where your tool descends to in the event that it executes a length offset towards Z0. The additional distance from the tool reference plane to the work offset Z0 acts as a buffer zone wherein the control suddenly recognizes that Z values have been shifted as soon as it implements the work offset.

    These are my own theories, based on usage of really user-unfriendly controls (antiques) that did nothing to help a guy out. These setup conventions kept me and my tools safe.

    And like others have already stated, using an immutable gauge block stack to set the tools to, makes it easy to add tools as required, no matter what the job happens to be, old length offsets will be valid. The only real source of confusion is that two guys might not use the same gauge stack to set from. Write on the wall if you have to

    First you get good, then you get fast. Then grouchiness sets in.

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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    Quote Originally Posted by donl517 View Post
    I'd like more input on this as well; this is the problem I see with using the offsets to set the Z. It looks like crash city to me. Can anyone elaborate on how format 2 handles this or if there is another way around having the machine move to zero when the offset is callled.

    Again; what I would like to do is leave tool 1 at a length of 0 and use it for picking up the Z 0 position. Is this possible?

    Thanks,
    Don
    OK, I downloaded and read the manual on fixture offsets. (I know, I know this goes against everything I have ever been taught as well. Manual? What Manual?) According to the manual Format 2 does not move until commanded to do so. Unlike format 1 which moves to the fixture offset position as soon as it is called.

    HTH,
    Don



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    OK I finally got my head around this and figured out how to make it work.
    1. Move tool 1 to the top of your setup block.
    2. SETZ at this point (just for setting tool lengths)
    3. Start the tool setting cycle and touch tool 1 to the block.
    4. Tool 1 now has a length of 0.
    5. Touch remaining tools to the top of the block and they are all set from the tool 1 zero point.
    6. Move the head back to Machine Z reference point and SETZ.
    Now you can jog tool 1 to the top of your part and the Z reading for your offset table is displayed on the screen. Change your offset to this Z value and all your tools are set to the top of the part. If you need to add more tools you just need to jog tool 1 to the top of any setup point and SETZ; now touch your NEW tools, move the head back to Z machine zero SETZ and everything is ready to go.

    I did change the end of my programs to:

    G80M09
    G53Z0H0
    G53X0Y10. (I like my table to come front and center at M30)
    G40X0Y10.Z0E0H0
    M30

    HTH,
    Don

    Last edited by donl517; 10-01-2007 at 12:46 PM. Reason: Modified the Program End.


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    Quote Originally Posted by Edster View Post
    Could you elaborate on this a little? I'd definatly have a use for this tip. Do you need to start in the apporximate center of the circle, or will any three spots work?
    Edster,

    This is in the UT (Utilities) screen under option 2 Fixture Offsets.

    Use option 1 to setup your fixture offset number, your edge finder diameter and your spindle speed. Then select option 4 Find Center of Circle. Follow the on screen prompts.

    No you don't need to be in the center of the circle to start with (that would kind of defeat the purpose ), any 3 points on the circle will work. (The further apart the better)

    HTH,
    Don



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    Thanks, that worked good. It will sure cut down on the setup time

    I got within 1 thou on y and perfect on x. I used three points that were about 90 degs apart. Next time I'll try points about 120 deg apart to see if it works any better.



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    I run pretty much only bar stock, everything is on a vise, I never change my jaws or recut them unless they get worn. this is for the first operation stuff.

    I set all my tools off the cut part of the vise in the z axis, x0 y0 is off the upper left corner of the vise jaws.

    this also makes it easy when using cad cam software for programing.

    my e1 for 3/8 stock will read z0.375 e2 for 1/2" stock will read z0.5
    if I need to face the stock my e3 will be .480 etc.

    my cadcam program is always off the top. being z=0



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The best way to use "Fixture Offsets" In a CNC88?

The best way to use "Fixture Offsets" In a CNC88?