On Sunday 31 March 2013 03:31:47 Gregg Eshelman did opine: > I've seen some vertical milling setups that have a touch block for > automatically setting the tool length. I assume the surface of the > block is insulated from the machine and has a wire to a controller > input to sense when it's grounded by the tool. > > Easy, hands off tool length setting, no need for a measuring fixture and > tedious manual entry of lengths and keeping them updated when changing > tools in their holders. > > For a lathe you'd want a block set perpendicular to the spindle with its > face a measured distance out towards the operator, mounted somewhere > fixed and always accessible. Having it dead on center would get in the > way of turning between centers, unless mounted to a removable base > machined to fit the V ways. > > Select the auto center function, slide retracts fully, carriage zips > over to the touch block, slide advances until making contact and the > control knows exactly where the tip of the cutter is. > > With a removable center block, just place it next to the saddle (it'd > need to be wide enough to extend over the cross slide), hit the auto > center command and the cross slide advances until it grounds the touch > block or hits its limit and displays a "No calibration device found." > error. > > This could also be used to set a Z axis offset, would need to measure > from a known point such as the center of the cross slide screw. That > touch block would need to be in a fixed location. > Actually, I use a touch block to zero mine for both x & z, z first, then x. It sets on the ways, and is backed left up against the workpiece mounted in the chuck, so it establishes the Z zero by using an offset such that I write code that runs in the -Z range, very repeatable, a thou or so. The x is somewhat less accurate because I need to rig a single point rest where it sits on the flat back rail of the bed now, with so much area sitting on the bed that I can wipe the vactra off & move the x home 1 to 3 thou. A single point rear contact should help with that. Oh, and be sure to blow the swarf off the cutter tip. Don't ask how I know. :)
I made this one with another flip down bar so I can reach inside it and set it for boring bars too. But that takes a restart on a different .ini because the x search direction is reversed. > With the cutter tip point's location in the work envelope known exactly* > in X and Z, setting parameters like diameter to cut to would be very > easy. > > *Assuming vertical mill axis convention where Z is in line with the > spindle, X is crosswise to the spindle/head support, Y perpendicular to > the spindle/head support. > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > ------ Own the Future-Intel(R) Level Up Game Demo Contest 2013 > Rise to greatness in Intel's independent game demo contest. Compete > for recognition, cash, and the chance to get your game on Steam. > $5K grand prize plus 10 genre and skill prizes. Submit your demo > by 6/6/13. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/12124-176961-30367-2 > _______________________________________________ > Emc-users mailing list > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users Cheers, Gene -- "There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order." -Ed Howdershelt (Author) My web page: <http://coyoteden.dyndns-free.com:85/gene> is up! My views <http://www.armchairpatriot.com/What%20Has%20America%20Become.shtml> alimony, n: Having an ex you can bank on. I was taught to respect my elders, but its getting harder and harder to find any... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Own the Future-Intel(R) Level Up Game Demo Contest 2013 Rise to greatness in Intel's independent game demo contest. Compete for recognition, cash, and the chance to get your game on Steam. $5K grand prize plus 10 genre and skill prizes. Submit your demo by 6/6/13. http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/12124-176961-30367-2 _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
