Hello,
So I am fairly new to mach 3 and CNC in general. So please excuse my questions if they seem basic.
I have been using mach 3 with the standard screen set for just over a few months. I have purchased the machstdmill pro version to get the probing enhancements. So I have installed the MSM just fine and I am trying to do some basic things to learn how to get around in it. One o f the things I am trying to do is the tool length offsets. Here is what I am trying to do.
1. I have a tool library with a bunch of tools. The tool offsets have been set for each tool and updated in the tool library.
2. I put say tool #5 in do t5m6 to complete the tool change and I zero Z then I click the "Zero"for Z in the WC Offsets screen.
3. I put tool # 2 in change the current tool to #2 in MSM with t2m6 and try to run g54z0. Now when I do that in the standard mach screen set it knows the offset and brings tool #2 to the same zero I set with tool #5. But within MSM it just runs right past it and keeps going. I read that g43 and g49 turns on the TLO offsets. It shows TLO Active. But the height is definitely wrong. I have tried multiple times and multiple tools. Maybe I am setting zero incorrectly. Not sure can you please help. This is very simple in standard mach, but I just cannot figure it our in MSM.
Also one more thing. to change the current tool # do I always have to use the mdi command like t5m6? Can I not just type 5 in the current tool spot and hit enter? I do that and it just disappears. Mach3 standard screen set lets me just type the tool number and hit enter. I read in the manual that you have to use mdi but I also read in the manual to just type the tool # and hit enter. I am a little confused. Plus it seems like it takes extra steps to change the to
tool offset questions
Re: tool offset questions
Hi,
How are you setting the TLO lengths for your tools? What TLO method are you wanting to use? Touch off to a common Z level, TLO=PTL, master tool mode?
Each of those is different and make a difference in what you do. I know you said that you have a tool table, with TLO values, but TLO values would be different depending on technique you are using.
Since the tool tip is not going where you expect, my inclination is to say that the TLO values are "not correct" for the approach you are using.
Section 5 of the MSM user manual had my best attempt at explaining the various ways to use TLO values. IT has pictures of the table top, work piece. tool and a TLO values. Study that section to get familiar wiht the use of TLO compensation.
If section 5 is not making sense for you, my other recommendation would be to get a copy of Peter Smid's "CNCN programing handbook". It has very detailed explanations of this topic and is generally considered a key reference for CNC work.
Re why you can't set the current tool DRO in MSM, please see the sticky topic at the top of this forum: http://www.calypsoventures.com/forums/v ... ?f=6&t=109
Also see item 4.23 in the MSM release notes.
Dave
How are you setting the TLO lengths for your tools? What TLO method are you wanting to use? Touch off to a common Z level, TLO=PTL, master tool mode?
Each of those is different and make a difference in what you do. I know you said that you have a tool table, with TLO values, but TLO values would be different depending on technique you are using.
Since the tool tip is not going where you expect, my inclination is to say that the TLO values are "not correct" for the approach you are using.
Section 5 of the MSM user manual had my best attempt at explaining the various ways to use TLO values. IT has pictures of the table top, work piece. tool and a TLO values. Study that section to get familiar wiht the use of TLO compensation.
If section 5 is not making sense for you, my other recommendation would be to get a copy of Peter Smid's "CNCN programing handbook". It has very detailed explanations of this topic and is generally considered a key reference for CNC work.
Re why you can't set the current tool DRO in MSM, please see the sticky topic at the top of this forum: http://www.calypsoventures.com/forums/v ... ?f=6&t=109
Also see item 4.23 in the MSM release notes.
Dave
Productivity Software for Personal CNC Machinists
http://www.CalypsoVentures.com
http://www.CalypsoVentures.com
Re: tool offset questions
Hey Dave,
Thanks for the response. I guess I should have done a little more research before I posted it. I actually tried to delete this post, but could not figure out how. Anyway I did read the sticky you had posted here and it explained my problems. I was not using g43h# after the tool change command. That fixed that problem, however now I have anther one I am working on. Maybe you point me to the proper way to do it. So here is my setup:
I have a 3D probing tool
I have measured all of my tools and their offset are in the tool table (via your screen not the mach tool table.)
all of my tool are the tormach TTS. So they are repeatable tool lengths.
I have the probe configured in the hardware and software and it seems to work for the most part. I measured the length and put it in as tool #1. Now I have tried the master tool mode but I am missing something. I put the probe tool offset in the PLO field as I read. I put tool #1 in the master tool location. I run the MDI to put the tool in the mill. I then would try to use the probing work offset section and just zero z. It does the OP says it worked but the when I put a new tool in the tool is about .5" shy of the zero the probe read.
So I was reading and tinkering. Here is what I have now and it is very close to working. So I moved the probe length from the PLO field in the tool table to the TLO field ( knowing it should be in the PLO field). But then I just treated it like any other tool. I did not use the master tool section. I just put the probe in I ran t1m6 g43h1 and then I used the probe offset screen and it works perfectly. Well almost. It will do each one step OP like zero z or zero x or y. But if I choose a corner it go through everything and picks all the sides and then looks like it is returning to a safe location, but sends my Z axis straight to the limit switch. I am guessing it is some sort of max travel or something on Z in the settings. I have tried everything I could find and I read over the manual a bunch. But I just cannot find the correct setting.
I do not have a touch plate. Only the probe. So I would love to just use the probe for zeroing everything, before I start a new job. I will check out the book you recommend. I have been trying to find good resources. CNC seems to have a steep learning curve, but is pretty repetitive once you get it down.
Thanks Dave
Thanks for the response. I guess I should have done a little more research before I posted it. I actually tried to delete this post, but could not figure out how. Anyway I did read the sticky you had posted here and it explained my problems. I was not using g43h# after the tool change command. That fixed that problem, however now I have anther one I am working on. Maybe you point me to the proper way to do it. So here is my setup:
I have a 3D probing tool
I have measured all of my tools and their offset are in the tool table (via your screen not the mach tool table.)
all of my tool are the tormach TTS. So they are repeatable tool lengths.
I have the probe configured in the hardware and software and it seems to work for the most part. I measured the length and put it in as tool #1. Now I have tried the master tool mode but I am missing something. I put the probe tool offset in the PLO field as I read. I put tool #1 in the master tool location. I run the MDI to put the tool in the mill. I then would try to use the probing work offset section and just zero z. It does the OP says it worked but the when I put a new tool in the tool is about .5" shy of the zero the probe read.
So I was reading and tinkering. Here is what I have now and it is very close to working. So I moved the probe length from the PLO field in the tool table to the TLO field ( knowing it should be in the PLO field). But then I just treated it like any other tool. I did not use the master tool section. I just put the probe in I ran t1m6 g43h1 and then I used the probe offset screen and it works perfectly. Well almost. It will do each one step OP like zero z or zero x or y. But if I choose a corner it go through everything and picks all the sides and then looks like it is returning to a safe location, but sends my Z axis straight to the limit switch. I am guessing it is some sort of max travel or something on Z in the settings. I have tried everything I could find and I read over the manual a bunch. But I just cannot find the correct setting.
I do not have a touch plate. Only the probe. So I would love to just use the probe for zeroing everything, before I start a new job. I will check out the book you recommend. I have been trying to find good resources. CNC seems to have a steep learning curve, but is pretty repetitive once you get it down.
Thanks Dave