Tormach PCNC 440 - 5.1.5 Set the Length Units; 5.1.5.1 Programming in Inches; 5.1.5.2 Programming in Millimeters

Chapter 5
45
UM10372_PCNC440_Manual_0221A
iNTRO TO PATHPilOT
Tool Osets
Tool osets allow the operator to use tools of dierent length and, in the case of cuer radius
compensaon, dierent diameters. In the program you will create during this tutorial, you will use
two dierent tools. Because it is extremely unlikely that these tools will be exactly the same length,
the control needs to account for the dierence in tool length when switching tools.
If you measure your tools when you put them in TTS holders, then the PathPilot operang system
allows you to switch tools quickly and without the need to do anything more when you run a program
using them. Each tool and its holder only needs to be measured once, either oine or on the mill.
Once a tool has been measured, the tool length oset must sll be applied. Tool length osets are
not applied automacally – on virtually all CNC milling machines, the tool length oset is applied
with the G43 command. When running a G-code program, the G43 G-code command must be called
out to apply a tool length oset – tool osets will not be applied with just a tool change command.
While operang manually, the M6 G43 buon does this for you. The code you generate using the
Conversaonal screens later in this tutorial will include the G43 command in the appropriate place
in the G-code. Use of cuer compensaon (G41/42) is a more advanced topic which is covered in
chapter 7, Programming.
5.1.5 Set the Length Units
You can program your machine in either inches or in millimeters. The machine uses the dened
seng unl you program a dierent command (G20 or G21). The sengs are also retained aer a
power cycle, once the machine is out of reset.
5.1.5.1 Programming in Inches
Depending on your workow, do one of the following:
• Type G20 in the MDI line and press Enter on your keyboard
• Program G20 in your G-code program
5.1.5.2 Programming in Millimeters
Depending on your workow, do one of the following:
• Type G21 in the MDI line and press Enter on your keyboard
• Program G21 in your G-code program