Renishaw Tool Setter Mounting Position

[HelicopterJohn]

I did a little more research and downloaded the attached manual from the HAAS website.

In the manual they discuss the amount of room that is needed around the “Tool Probe” to ensure proper operation. On Page 15 they say that 2” of travel in all 4 directions is needed around the tool probe for calibration purposes. So 2 inches from the end of the maximum X travel is where it should be mounted to keep it as far away from chips and coolant as possible.

Thanks again for all the valued input.

John

[CJH]

It sounds as though everyone has slightly different expiriences with the probe locations. When we got our TM-1, the tool setter was set out about at the X-29ish position. we had the tech set it to the corect position according to the specs. then took a carbide scriber and marked the diam. outline of the tool setter so we could get it back to th right position on the tabel give or take a few thou. The training we got was quite in depth, and useful. But unfortunately we had to remove the probe setter shortly after the initial set up due to work piece requirements. As luck would have it, we have yet to get back to using the probe due to production schedule and work envelope needs.

Although a slight issue has come up inregards to with the ballscrew cover, we called the Haas dealer, and this caused us to enter into a side conversation about retraining and recalibration location of our probe since we looking at getting the 4th axis. We talked about getting a refresher about the probe and it costs about $2500. So take advantage of any time you with the Tech, it will be time well spent.


just a side note, about our issue....make sure to keep the ballscrew spring cover well lubed. if it dries out it will bind and shear itself off quite unpleasantly, to the tune of about $1700. But we have been running solidly for a few years and have found a great fondness for our mill as a solid worker.

CJH

[HelicopterJohn]

Hi CJH,

Thanks for the tips on the tool setter. I intend on taking video during my setup day. Just in case this ole brain fails me.

As the machine still has all the shipping brackets on it and it is not to be turned on until the tech arrives it is hard to tell where the tool setter is in relationship to the X Axis maximun travel of 30 inches.

What type of lubricant do you use on the ball screw spring cover? I could see that if got too dry it may hang up and could break.

Can hardly wait until Tuesday when I this baby gets fired up.

John

[fourperf]

Hi John, I asked the salesman who sold me my machine about the position of the toolsetter on the tm1 and he told me it is inset due to the 30 inches of travel on the machine. The table is obviously longer but there is 30 inches of travel

Mark

[HelicopterJohn]

Hi Mark,

I understand what you are saying. I was hoping to be able to move it further toward the end of the table.

I just looked at the specification sheet on the machine. Table length is 47.75 minus the 30 inches of table travel equals 17.75 divided by 2 which gives you 8.875. If you add the 2 inches of X travel the Renishaw manual says that you need for calibration of the tool setter it comes to 10.875.

Right now it is mounted at about 12.00 inches in from the right end of the table. I may be able to move it a little bit but not much if these calculations are correct.

Guess I will know for sure on Tuesday.

Thanks for your valued input.

John

[fourperf]

Thanks John, You have to be chomping at the bit to start running that mill

good luck

mark

[Geof]

I want to thank you all for this discussion; I don't have a probe and now I know I don't want one. I have Minis setup with two Kurt 6 inch vises which are spaced so the corners of the jaws are 1/4" inside the machine limits and VF2s setup with three Kurt double lock vises which also have the jaws just inside the machine limits. I simply don't have any place to put a probe.

[CJH]

Glad my input was helpful, a bit. As far as the lube for the spring cover, it all depends what we are machining. Generally for when we are using coolant to cut metal the grease we use is the same as what we lube the grease fitting with a good high quality lithium grease. We slick it up good and go to town on cutting. The thick grease last quite a while under the coolant conditions. When we switch to cutting dry for wood, mdf, foams etc. we generally wipe it clean and then spray WD-40, silicone lubricant or a dry teflon spray lube. We just got really busy and have forgotten to keep it lubed. It's definitely a good thing to wipe it off every so often and freshen things up so that chips aren't collecting on the grease. Also inpect it evry cuple of weeks for for dents or nick if there is the tendancy to have chunks of waste metal falling into the cavity between the weighs.

CJH

[HelicopterJohn]

Hi Geof,

Discussion is a good thing. It can bring out information that is helpful to others.

I think the reason for mounting the probe near the outer right edge of the table is to keep the tool setter probe as clean as possible so that the tool probing process works correctly. I believe it can be mounted in other locations as long as the tool probe can receive the signals from the OMI unit which is typically located on the back wall of the cabinet. Depending on your table size, travel and what vises or fixtures you typically mount on it can surely be a deciding factor on the decision to purchase a tool probing system.

Hi CJH,

Thanks again for the additional information on the lubrication of the ball screw spring cover.

John

[Donkey Hotey]

At work, we have a TM-2 with the wired tool presetter and a new VF-6 with the wireless one. In both cases, it has been suggested to drill and dowel the table for a custom designed presetter mount. That way, all the tools could be setup quickly but the presetter could be removed when the space is needed.

Yeah, it sacrifices some accuracy but if the mount were designed properly, it could be more repeatable than other 'conventional' touch-off methods.