Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: JamesDH on May 29, 2006, 01:02:40 PM
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Hi,
I've been playing with the idea of making a CNC lathe from scratch ala "Stevie on CNCzone. I've even gathered parts for it.
The other day I ran across this (go to the "Using the Taig CNC mill as a VMC" and view the video)
http://members.shaw.ca/mryankey/taigmill.html
That is exactly what I want to do with the lathe. If I could get my mill to do that I would not need a CNC lathe.
Problem is I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around exactly how to get that done.
I'm weak on tool offsets and how they all work but think I can figure out the rest of it.
Can anyone give me a jump start on that?
I've been looking thru the videos and haven't found one that makes it "click".
Thanks
James
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On a mill the tool offsets are a way of telling the control the difference in length from one tool to the next.
When you set tool 1 as the datum tool, all others are set in offset as the difference in length from tool 1.
E.g.
1 Insert tool 1 into the spindle.
2 Move down until the top of the work is touched. Zero out Z axis.
3 Do work for that tool.
4 Load next tool, move down until it touches the top face of the work.
5 The value in the Z axis DRO is the offset for this tool . Enter this value in the offset you want to use for this tool.
6 In the NC code for this tool you should have 'G43' and a H followed by the offset number to use, this will use the offset on this tool.
Repeat for next tool.
Is this what you wanted?, if not just say.
Graham.