OTS Renishaw Tool setter help, Actually using it?

[mgb1974]

Finally got our OTS twin probe system setup in our VF-2 Haas Mill. Having problems actually using the tool setter.

We go to the WIPS screen on the control. Tool change till we have the tool in the spindle. Hit F2 to go to the input screen.

Here is a example of what we input in the F2 Screen.

Tool offset number- 6
Approx length-2.0 (is just the length of the tool sticking out of the holder???)
Approx Dia-1.0
Z Distance- 0.0 and also tried random 3.0 (not sure what to put in there)

We then hit cycle start and run through the cycle. The tool comes down on the probe and hits it and then comes up. A alarm message goes Probe Open.

The tool offset shows 2.0 which is the same as the Approx length that we are putting in.

What are we doing wrong? The manaul isnt much help.

Thanks
Matt

[Cory]

Originally Posted by mgb1974 Finally got our OTS twin probe system setup in our VF-2 Haas Mill. Having problems actually using the tool setter. We go to the WIPS screen on the control. Tool change till we have the tool in the spindle. Hit F2 to go to the input screen. Here is a example of what we input in the F2 Screen. Tool offset number- 6 Approx length-2.0 (is just the length of the tool sticking out of the holder???) Approx Dia-1.0 Z Distance- 0.0 and also tried random 3.0 (not sure what to put in there) We then hit cycle start and run through the cycle. The tool comes down on the probe and hits it and then comes up. A alarm message goes Probe Open. The tool offset shows 2.0 which is the same as the Approx length that we are putting in. What are we doing wrong? The manaul isnt much help. Thanks Matt

The length you want is from the top of the flange on your toolholder to the tip of the tool (ie: spindle face to tool tip).

I'm not sure what the z distance is. I have an 07 VF-1 with the wired TS27R and none of the tool probing fields I've seen ask for the height above the toolsetter.

[extanker59]

What you're describing sounds more like the calibration screen to me. I have a long cycle time so I can't look right now.
Did you call your HFO? Are add-on probes handled different than factory installed probes? We get to our tool/probe screens by pressing Edit, then "PRGRM CONVRS" three times. It'll show the VQC program options. Press F2 and scroll down to "Haas VQC probe..." and press enter. Scroll down to "Tool Setting", press enter, and then choose what you want to do.
I gather that you don't have those programs. Your HFO should be able to get them for you.

[mgb1974]

Thanks guys for responses. I mill is a 2007 model so I think they updated where the software is. The probe system came with the machine, we just never got it going till now.

Cory,

So every tool need to measure the length of the tool sticking out of the holder?

No this is not the calibration screen. I went through that before and now we are trying to use it.

Thanks again

[cadman@teluspla]

just as cory wrote
measure from the top of the V flange to tip of the tool
the tool length is a ball park # so your tool does not tag the measuring anvil on the tool setter to fast.
my VF4 does not ask for the Z length though.(2006 machine with TS27)
you can probably check your system by doing a manual tool length setting.
you will find that in the same menu

[Cory]

Originally Posted by mgb1974 Thanks guys for responses. I mill is a 2007 model so I think they updated where the software is. The probe system came with the machine, we just never got it going till now. Cory, So every tool need to measure the length of the tool sticking out of the holder? No this is not the calibration screen. I went through that before and now we are trying to use it. Thanks again

My machine only asks for tool length on certain probing routines. The only one I can think off of the top of my head is auto length-rotating, and maybe auto length+diameter.

[pmurdock]

You know.. I got that tool setter probe as well, but recently had to take it off to machine a large plate.. haven't put it back on since! I still use the spindle probe for x,y measurements, but find it's sometimes quicker to just measure tools to a part, then to have to worry about remounting the tool presetter... Just my mileage.. I'll probably reinstall it later on, but it really chews into the size of your table once you add a rotary table, vise, tailstock and your part! <grin> Guess it's time for a VF-7..

cheers!
Paul

[cadman@teluspla]

Paul which side of your table is your tool setter usually setup on.
We mounted ours to the very far left it gives enough room for a 15" chuck
and 2 6" double lock vise

[mgb1974]

Got it figured out. Went into the VQC screen instead of the WIPS screen.

Question I have now, which i have struggled with since reading about the probes. How does the programming work relative to the tool lengths? Most of our tool lengths are set off the fixtures(program center X0 Y0 Z0). This usually gives us a negative number around -11 or -10 area. Now the numbers using the tool setter are positive(basically the length from the spindle gage line to the end of the tool)

Do you set your program Z0 Offset at 0 or do you set it at machine Z measurement(example of like -10.560)?

How does this work programming wise???

Thanks
Matt

[pmurdock]

Originally Posted by cadman@teluspla Paul which side of your table is your tool setter usually setup on. We mounted ours to the very far left it gives enough room for a 15" chuck and 2 6" double lock vise

Yes.. I moved mine all the way to the left as well because I had a rotary table that fits on the right side.. Seems to work ok (with the IR transceiver) on that side as well..


cheers,
Paul

[Vern Smith]

mgb1974,

In my experience, all the Z offset numbers will be positive numbers in the tool offset table. This does not present a problem as long as you use the probe to set the Z offset for whatever gxxx your program has designated.

It looks strange, but the Z offset numbers in the XYZ offset page (Haas) will be negative while all the tool offset numbers will be positive. I don't like this because I'm not smart enough to figure out how to reconcile them but I would love it if someone would explain it to me.

Vern

[Matt@RFR]

Originally Posted by Vern Smith ...figure out how to reconcile them but I would love it if someone would explain it to me. Vern

You mean which way to adjust the H offsets to adjust part thickness? Think of it just like adjusting the tool diameter: Add to the number and take less material. Subtract from the number and you take more material.

The H offsets are, as you know, measuring the distance from the gauge line to the tip of the tool, so if you add, say, .010" to the H offset, the software will raise the head by .010" to comp for a longer tool.

Can you dig it?