Setting off sets advice

[nickcnz]

Hi all,
I have no doubt that this question has been asked before but the few posts I have found on the matter haven't been any help to me...and i've just got home at 11pm after a 14 hour day and could use some help..

We have recently brought a Haas CNC mill... not 100% sure of the model but I think its from around 2006.
Myself and another guy at work (who has a little CNC experience and I have practically none) attempted to set up and run a file for a small mold we want to make.
The file went through the CAD / CAM software no problems but we ran into trouble with the Z offset somehow.

What our process was:
1. With our tool in, jog the cutter to the corner of the ally block ( the same corner I defined as the origin on the computer) so that it was just touching. We then put in the work offsets at this position.

2. We then went an put the tool offset in this position also. We are only using one tool for this part.

This wouldn't work, it had a problem with the Z coordinate being out of range or something.

Through trial and error we were able to adjust the Z offsets and then managed to get it cutting air above the ally. Then with a bit more thought we simply removed the Tool off set (set it to 0) and the part cut out just fine.

Obviously this was not a great way to do it. If anyone could point me in the right direction of how to set up these offsets it would be much appreciated!!!
From reading what documentation we got with the machine, I think we are setting the tool offset correctly, but i'm not too sure about the work offset because we used the tool to set it and I was reading something about a probe or such??

Any help greatly appreciated.

Bed time now.
Cheers,
Nick

[eaglemike]

Does the machine have a tool changer? Most do, so I'll describe the process, it's really easy.
After you turned it on, you did push the power up restart so the machine knows where it is, right?

Let's assume you will use will use T1. Push the MDI button. Push the T button, the number 1, then atc fwd button (or atc rev). Push the tool release button, and insert the tool into the spindle. Use the job button to just above the part, maybe use a 1/2" dowel as a feeler. Push the offset key. You will either see the tool offest page, or the work offset page. Pus a couple of times so you can see it switch, get to the tool page. Cursor to T1, push the "measure tool offset" button. This will record the current actual Z position in the T1 position. Then type "-.5" and push the write button lower right corner of buttons. This will set your T1 tool length offset.

Using the write button adds the value that you type to the offset array where the cursor currently is located. You can type in a negative or a positive number. This also works if you are touching off the side of a part, like allowing for extra stock or an edge finder, when you are on the work offset table page.

[z369]

This is bizarre, all the Haas machines I have worked with just require the program, edit program for the tools needed etc..then jog the tool down as you stated, and in the Offset Geometry page press the "tool offset measure" don't hit the part zero that will screw everything up.

[txcncman]

Normal process, use Work Offset for X and Y only. Use Tool Offset for Z only.

[eaglemike]

Normal process, use Work Offset for X and Y only. Use Tool Offset for Z only.

Yupper.

OP - once you get how easy it is to switch from the tool offset page to the work offset page and their relationship, things will become super easy. Fnd someone near you with a Haas. 15 to 30 minutes and you'll be more than ready to fly.

[haastec]

Hi all,
I have no doubt that this question has been asked before but the few posts I have found on the matter haven't been any help to me...and i've just got home at 11pm after a 14 hour day and could use some help..

We have recently brought a Haas CNC mill... not 100% sure of the model but I think its from around 2006.
Myself and another guy at work (who has a little CNC experience and I have practically none) attempted to set up and run a file for a small mold we want to make.
The file went through the CAD / CAM software no problems but we ran into trouble with the Z offset somehow.

What our process was:
1. With our tool in, jog the cutter to the corner of the ally block ( the same corner I defined as the origin on the computer) so that it was just touching. We then put in the work offsets at this position.

2. We then went an put the tool offset in this position also. We are only using one tool for this part.

This wouldn't work, it had a problem with the Z coordinate being out of range or something.

Through trial and error we were able to adjust the Z offsets and then managed to get it cutting air above the ally. Then with a bit more thought we simply removed the Tool off set (set it to 0) and the part cut out just fine.

Obviously this was not a great way to do it. If anyone could point me in the right direction of how to set up these offsets it would be much appreciated!!!
From reading what documentation we got with the machine, I think we are setting the tool offset correctly, but i'm not too sure about the work offset because we used the tool to set it and I was reading something about a probe or such??

Any help greatly appreciated.

Bed time now.
Cheers,
Nick

Follow the advise from what has already been posted. Also, do yourself a favor and read over the manual in detail. If you don't have a copy, go to Haas Automation, Inc. | CNC Machine Tools | The Leader in CNC Machine Tool Value and download one for free. Explore their website also, they have a lot of information there you will find helpful.

Learning on your own can be a bit difficult, but you should pick it up pretty quick as long as you don't rush things.

Good luck!

[Machineit]

Sounds like you might have hit all three, X,Y and Z in the "part offset" page.

I would recommend that you use X and Y offset on parts and use the "tool offset" on Z (tools). With multiple tools of unknown lengths, it is the only way!

Not much easier than Haas to set offsets, just ask the questions you need help with and we'll get the help for you.

Also make sure you CAD/CAM system if setting the part top as Z zero.

Mike

[partsman]

Does the machine have a tool changer? Most do, so I'll describe the process, it's really easy.
After you turned it on, you did push the power up restart so the machine knows where it is, right?

Let's assume you will use will use T1. Push the MDI button. Push the T button, the number 1, then atc fwd button (or atc rev). Push the tool release button, and insert the tool into the spindle. Use the job button to just above the part, maybe use a 1/2" dowel as a feeler. Push the offset key. You will either see the tool offest page, or the work offset page. Pus a couple of times so you can see it switch, get to the tool page. Cursor to T1, push the "measure tool offset" button. This will record the current actual Z position in the T1 position. Then type "-.5" and push the write button lower right corner of buttons. This will set your T1 tool length offset.

Using the write button adds the value that you type to the offset array where the cursor currently is located. You can type in a negative or a positive number. This also works if you are touching off the side of a part, like allowing for extra stock or an edge finder, when you are on the work offset table page.

I haven't got my machine powered up yet but I have been through the manual several times trying to understand the tool offset section. I just could not wrap my head around it. I figured it must just be one of those things that won't make sense until you are standing at the machne. Your explanation made it EASY! Maybe you should write a HAAS For Dummies book... I'd buy one!

[Machineit]

I haven't got my machine powered up yet but I have been through the manual several times trying to understand the tool offset section. I just could not wrap my head around it. I figured it must just be one of those things that won't make sense until you are standing at the machne. Your explanation made it EASY! Maybe you should write a HAAS For Dummies book... I'd buy one!

That procedure is just fine, but I would not use a dowel pin or anything solid. Tools, especially carbide will chip when they are pressed against something hard. They will cut the crap out of that dowel pin when running, but just going .001 too far in touching it off will chip the endmill.

I use and recommend others to use a simple piece of paper. A post-it note is perfect, as it is .004 in thickness and will absorb a couple of thousands of jogging too far. Just touch off of the paper while moving it underneath the tool and then remove it and go down an additional .003 to .004 depending on how tight it felt. Works perfectly and you have no need to add anymore to the tool offset after hitting the button. You are done!

Mike

[eaglemike]

If one rolls the dowel pin under AFTER moving the spindle, a dowel pin works fine. DON"T crank down directly against a dowel pin or anything else that is solid!!

I typed this for this particular situation, trying to show him the easiest way to get started. Sometimes I forget everyone doesn't know not to go directly against the pin - I've been doing stuff like this for 35 years.....

I actually use the electronic offset gauges for setting tools offsets. Waaaay faster than using a shim or feeler. The one I use is 2.000 inches, so I set it on top of the stock and touch off, watching for the light, allow for the 2" gauge and any extra stock. Since the new machines won't change tools with the door open, this is much faster than using a feeler.

all the best,
Mike

[partsman]

I guess I was just meaning the method of entering the offset into the HAAS was confusing in the manual... not really the method of determining the offset in the first place. For offsets we have been using the Edge Pro Touchoff gauge and really like it. To me anyway, it is a lot faster than the paper or roll gauge method. I think it was $75 very well spent.

Pro Touch Off Gage

[txcncman]

I guess I was just meaning the method of entering the offset into the HAAS was confusing in the manual... not really the method of determining the offset in the first place. For offsets we have been using the Edge Pro Touchoff gauge and really like it. To me anyway, it is a lot faster than the paper or roll gauge method. I think it was $75 very well spent.

Pro Touch Off Gage

How can it be confusing to press one button on the control panel?