Mastercam problem

[deckhand]

Hello all,
I am having a problem with mastercam lathe 9.1 Mastercam is not recognizing my tool lengths when I define my tools. When I change the length of my tools the G code values do not change to compensate for the increase or decrease in the length of the tool. The CNC lathe I am using does not store the tool length offsets. Is there a way around this or do I need to just create my files with the offsets in mind from the start?


Thanks

Sam

[nervis1]

Tool length offsets are almost always stored in the machine control. The only way I know to use them as part of the G code is to use G10 a the start of the program. I've been presetting tools on my mill for the past few weeks and doing this, works well. Not sure if that can be done on a lathe or not, I don't run a lathe.

[Mike Mattera]

Your lathe would have to be about 25 years old NOT to have offsets in it. Keep looking, somewhere there must be an offset table.

Nervis1: Depending on the lathe you can measure from the face of the turrett to the tip of the tool.Not exactly preset, but if you write it down somewhere it gives you a positive referance point for setting new tools. Most lathe guys will use the same Rough, Finish, Thread and (possibley) Groove tools in stations 1, 2, 3 & 4. Once your offsets are set for these tools you can preset you zero back and forth to the face of the part.

Mike Mattera

[deckhand]

The controller is an AH-HA RC500A according to the information we have on the controller it will not store offsets and will not accept offsets in the G code. My only other idea is to make sure all the tools in the turret are all at the same length.(would really be a pain)
Any other ideas?

[Mike Mattera]

Read between the lines Deckhand. No, you cant put them in the GCode. So they must go into an offset table somewhere. Keep looking. The control must have an offset table. Did you call Ah Ha and ask them?

Mike Mattera

[ajl6549]

I've ran machines from the late sixties both cnc and nc and they had tool offset tables. How do you define where the work piece is relation to the machine home?

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by deckhand Hello all, I am having a problem with mastercam lathe 9.1 Mastercam is not recognizing my tool lengths when I define my tools. When I change the length of my tools the G code values do not change to compensate for the increase or decrease in the length of the tool. The CNC lathe I am using does not store the tool length offsets. Is there a way around this or do I need to just create my files with the offsets in mind from the start? Thanks Sam

First thing First.

What Machine Make, Year, and Model?

Like Mike said it depends on how old the Lathe Control is. If it is from 1981 and it's a Fanuc 6T Control it has Offsets but the tool Lengths X and Z will have to be set with a G50. If it is newer like a 10T it will have G54-59 plus a Work Shift Tool Length Setting.

There has to be a way to set tools in the Offset Geometry no matter how old the machine it is. You may have to write Programs from the Home Position, but it beats not being able to use the machine.


BTW: Mike I recieved your Video Tutorial and am Very Pleased. Thanks and I'll be ordering more for X-mas.