Machining fundamentals | Establishing a datum
3.2 Establishing a datum
Overview
The datum is the workpiece zero or absolute zero, and is a point of
reference from where the control bases all of the part coordinates.
A datum must be established for every job. The datum location
may be indicated on the print, or the operator may establish a
datum that allows most of the part dimensions to be entered
directly using the least amount of calculations.
For the X axis, the datum is always located at the centerline of the
workpiece.
For the Z axis, the datum may be set to any face surface.
Establishing a datum
To establish a datum:
Mount a tool to use for setting the datum. The tool’s offset
allows the system to determine the distance from the tool tip to
the workpiece surface.
Besides physically mounting the tool, a Set Tool step
must be run in order for the system to know what tool
dimensions and offsets to use.
From the DRO mode, press the Datum soft key
In the Datum Number field, enter a number for the datum to be
defined. Datums 1 through 99 may be set.
This example will establish the datum on the face surface of the
part. This will be accomplished by “touching” the face with the
mounted tool.
In the Set Datum dialogue, the X and Z fields are always active,
displaying the machine position relative to the selected datum.
Z axis datum
To set the Z axis datum:
Press the Move Tool soft key and use the arrow keys or the
handwheel to position the tool so that its tip touches the
surface of the face
Exit Move Tool to return to the Set Datum dialogue
With the cursor in the Z axis field, enter the numeric location of
the face surface or press the Zero Z soft key
Press the ENTER key
Do not move the tool away from the part before
entering the location or zeroing from the datum
dialogue.
Press the USE key
3
ACU-RITE | TURNPWR | User's Manual | 08/2020
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