Tool length sensing!

[lerman]

Bubba, Swede,

Which commercial mechanical switches did you use?

Bubba,

What optical sensor are you using?

Thanks,

Ken

[Bubba]

lerman,
For the mechanical switches, I used Automation Direct http://www.automationdirect.com AAP2T51A11 mini din switches. As I remember, I paid about UD$12.5 each for them and at 1,000,000 operations they are rated at .0003" repeatability.
For the optical, I used a GP1A05 that I salvaged out of a defunct copy machine.

[ger21]

Try this number AAP2T51Z11

[Bubba]

OOPs, sorry bout that! :{(

[centaur91]

How do you determine the tools offsets for each turning tools? The manual does not give single example how to do it.

I have a lathe with 5 tools in a gang. I would like to use them all but not sure how to enter the tool offsets

Has anyone done it successfully?

[datac]

I'm retro-ing a Denford right now and it has the tool changer. I never spent any time with a CNC lathe, so its going to be a bit of a learning curve. I can't imagine it being any different than setting up tooling for a mill,... just that different axis are used.

I've been working on building an automated, swing out tool sensor switch that can be called to automatically measure the tools. Not sure when It will actually operate, but its at least started and in the plans !

I'm sure I will spend a great deal of time cutting AIR, then move to wood or plastic until it all makes sense.

Good luck !