Retracting the cutter to machine Z zero at the end of program

[mechanical_head]

Hi there

I am a beginner in CNC programming and was wondering if I could get some help with this problem.

We have a VF11 vertical milling machine with the following travel range:
Y = 1016 mm
X = 3048 mm
Z = 762 mm

and I want to know what I need to include in my program so that at the end, the tool will retract to the Z zero of the machine so I won't have to manually jog it up.

Also I need to know how to move the table so that the workpiece is positioned right in front the doors at the end.

Thanks

[texaspyro]

You probably want to use the G53 command along with G00. Plus toss in a couple of other gcodes for good programming practice

G53 G49 G90 G00 Z0 ; cancel tool length comp, return Z to home position
G53 X... Y... ; position table near door (fill in your desired X and Y posn)

G53 cancels any workpiece offsets, etc for the line it appears on and causes the machine to work in raw machine coordinates.

[mactec54]

mechanical_head

Always move the Z first

In you case if you want to more to a set number & it is not Z zero then you would do this

G0Z---- & your number were you want it to move

If you want to go to Z zero
You just have to do a G28Z. Then another line for the Y & Y always move the Z first when you are starting to learn a new machine

If the Z axes does not clear the part before the X, Y move you will crash the tool into the part

There are other ways to do this as well, but this is simple

Moving the Table to in front of the door is to quite easy once the Z has done its move you can Just do a G0X---.Y---. This will put the table were ever you want it

[mechanical_head]

mechanical_head

Always move the Z first

In you case if yo want to more to a set number & it is not Z zero then you would do this

G0Z---- & your number were you want it to move

If you want to go to Z zero
You just have to do a G28Z. Then another line for the Y & Y always move the Z first when you are starting to learn a new machine

If the Z axes does not clear the part before the X, Y move you will crash the tool into the part

There are other ways to do this as well, but this is simple

Moving the Table to in front of the door is to quite easy once the Z has done its move you can Just do a G0X---.Y---. This will put the table were ever you want it

mactec54,

Thanks for your advice. I Could you please show me where in my program I would have to add that code in please? Here is programe Im using at the moment:
%
O0096(PART - )
N1 (NOTES - HOLE FACING DOOR - FINAL OP 30MM DRILL)
N2 T11 M06 (30MM DRILL, 118 INC)
N3 G90 G80 G40 G18 G57
N4 S400 M04
N5 G43 H11
N6 /
N7 G00 X0. Z81.8 Y-450.
N8 Y-437.
N9 G01 Y-372.487 F20.0
N10 G04 P1.
N11 G00 Y-437.
N12 G00 Y-450.
N13 M01
N14 M30
%


Thanks

[mactec54]

mechanical_head

Try & struchure your Gcode like what is in the attachment, This is as simple as it gets
& is good for learning with, The attachment is not in metric just the Z move & the Y move are metric

You move the Z axes after the last feed move, the rest below that can be in any order, except for the M30 that should be at the bottom, if you stick to a pattern you can't go wrong

[mechanical_head]

mechanical_head

Try & struchure your Gcode like what is in the attachment, This is as simple as it gets
& is good for learning with, The attachment is not in metric just the Z move & the Y move are metric

You move the Z axes after the last feed move, the rest below that can be in any order, except for the M30 that should be at the bottom, if you stick to a pattern you can't go wrong

mactec54

This may sound too much to ask but I am still unsure on hown to include the G codes you've got in your own programe, within mine so I would really really appreciate it if you could put them in the program I posted earlier so I could see how they work with my own program.

Thanks alot

[mactec54]

mechanical_head

N6 /
N7 G00 X0. Z81.8 Y-450.
N8 Y-437.
N9 G01 Y-372.487 F20.0
N10G0Z200.
N11M9 Coolant off
N12M5 spindle off
N13G0Y450.
N14 M30
%

You don't have a Z move so I don't know what you are trying to do, If you need the G04 P1 (dwell) put it above the G0Z200. move

[mechanical_head]

mechanical_head

N6 /
N7 G00 X0. Z81.8 Y-450.
N8 Y-437.
N9 G01 Y-372.487 F20.0
N10G0Z200.
N11M9 Coolant off
N12M5 spindle off
N13G0Y450.
N14 M30
%

You don't have a Z move so I don't know what you are trying to do, If you need the G04 P1 (dwell) put it above the G0Z200. move

Sorry I should have mentioned that we're using a Right-angle head to drill parallel to the table along X axis and consequently all the Z motions are along X instead.

You mentioned using G28 in your earlier post so I was wondering how I would tackle this problem by using G28 instead.

[Andre' B]

I am having a bad day so you can take this for what you paid.

From your questions and comments you do not know G code and very probably do not know how to use single block. Single block is how you teach yourself what codes do what.

Especially when using things like 90° heads you should be able to, in single block and looking only at the screen tell someone standing next to you exactly what the machine will do the next time you push the green button.

If not it is not a question of IF but how long before you smash that very expensive milling head.

Haas provides good programming books, at least compared to other controls.
Find that book and read it cover to cover. Seems like no one wants to do that anymore.
Then take it and stand in front of the machine and "try things".

[mactec54]

mechanical_head

Well that changes things a little, You don't need to have any Z moves only at the start to tool 0.0 Position
although you could have the Z go up after your your X & Y moves have finished just to give you clearance for changing your part

Which way are you cutting in the X or the Y, Don't even think about a G28 untill we figure out what you are doing

[mechanical_head]

I am having a bad day so you can take this for what you paid.

From your questions and comments you do not know G code and very probably do not know how to use single block. Single block is how you teach yourself what codes do what.

Especially when using things like 90° heads you should be able to, in single block and looking only at the screen tell someone standing next to you exactly what the machine will do the next time you push the green button.

If not it is not a question of IF but how long before you smash that very expensive milling head.

Haas provides good programming books, at least compared to other controls.
Find that book and read it cover to cover. Seems like no one wants to do that anymore.
Then take it and stand in front of the machine and "try things".

I don't manually program because I use CADCAM and that is why I'm not familiar with certain G codes. I know I should get my head around these G codes but I was looking for a quick solution to my problem for the time being.

[mechanical_head]

mechanical_head

Well that changes things a little, You don't need to have any Z moves only at the start to tool 0.0 Position
although you could have the Z go up after your your X & Y moves have finished just to give you clearance for changing your part

Which way are you cutting in the X or the Y, Don't even think about a G28 untill we figure out what you are doing

The cutter feeds in Y direction in first programe and in the next programe feeds in X direction.