Tormach 1100M - Touch off the Tool Length Offsets; Set a Known Reference Height; Measure Tools Using a Known Reference Height

l Each time you replace a tool, you must remeasure its
length, and apply a new tool length offset in PathPilot.
NOTICE! You must always verify that the physical
length of a tool agrees with the tool length offset
value set in PathPilot. If you don't, there's a risk
that the tool length offset misrepresents the
currently active tool in the spindle, which may
result in a machine crash or damaged tooling,
workpieces, or fixtures.
Touch Off the Tool Length Offsets
Touch off the tool length offsets by using a reference surface
with a known height, which gives you a basis to measure any
other tool lengths. Use any surface that is parallel (within 0.02
mm) to the machine table. For example:
l A 1-2-3 Block Set (PN 31950)
l Box parallel
There are two steps to touch off the tool offsets. Complete the
following steps in the order listed:
Set a Known Reference Height 154
Measure Tools Using a Known Reference Height 154
Set a Known Reference Height
This procedure sets a new Z zero position for the currently
selected work offset.
To set a known reference height:
1. Identify a precision surface to use as a reference surface
(like a 1-2-3 Block Set), and put it below the spindle on
the machine table. Verify that there's a clear path from
the spindle to the machine table.
2. Verify that the drive dogs won't contact the reference
surface before the end face of the spindle.
3. Set a new, unused work offset (like G55).From the
PathPilot interface, on the Main tab, in the MDI Line
DROfield, type a work offset. Then select the Enter key.
For information, see "Set Work Offsets" (page182).
4. If there's already a tool in the spindle, remove it.
5. From the PathPilot interface, in the Tool DROfield, type
0. Then select the Enter key.
6. Slowly jog the Z-axis down (-Z) until it's 0.04 in. (1 mm)
from the reference surface.
7. Measure the thickness of a piece of paper, and put the
paper on the reference surface. Note the thickness of the
paper for later.
8. While moving the paper back-and-forth across the
reference surface, slowly step the Z-axis down (-Z) until
you feel a light pull on the piece of paper. This indicates
that the paper is contacting the end face of the spindle.
Note: It's easier to use step jogging for this
task. For information on step jogging, see
"About Step Jogging" (page177).
9. From the PathPilot interface, in the Z-axis work offset
DROfield, type the thickness of the piece of paper. Then
select the Enter key.
Figure 7-68: Z-axis work offset DRO field.
The reference surface is now set as the Z zero position in
the current coordinate system.
10. To set the tool length offset, go to "Measure Tools Using
a Known Reference Height" (page189).
Measure Tools Using a Known Reference Height
This procedure sets the tool length offset using a known
reference height. If you have not yet done so, you must first set
the Z zero position; go to Set a Known Reference Height.
To measure tools using a known reference height:
1. Verify that the reference surface is still on the machine
table with the piece of paper.
2. From the PathPilot interface, on the Offsets tab, find an
unused tool number in the Tool Table window. Then,
type a description for the tool you're measuring.
3. Put the tool holder into the spindle.
4. From the PathPilot interface, in the Tool DROfield, type
the number of the tool.Then select the Enter key.
Figure 7-69: Tool DROfield.
©Tormach® 2023
Specifications subject to change without notice.
Page 154 Tormach 1100M® Operator's Manual (Version 1223A)
For the most recent version, see tormach.com/support
7: PATHPILOT TOOLS AND FEATURES