Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: greenene on September 24, 2013, 08:04:30 AM

Title: compensating for different stock thickness
Post by: greenene on September 24, 2013, 08:04:30 AM
Is there a quick way to compensate for changing tolerances in stock thickness in Mach3. Let me be more clear.  When I create gcode, I am assuming that the stock material is a specific thickness.  When I actually set up the job, I find that the material may be thicker or thinner than what I've programmed, especially when I am doing more than one sheet of material from different vendors.
I don't want to go back to the program and recalculate the depth. I'd like to know if there a quick way to do it via Mach 3 on the fly. 
thanks
tony
Title: Re: compensating for different stock thickness
Post by: ger21 on September 24, 2013, 09:05:48 AM
If your just cutting parts from sheet stock, there's an easy way around it. Say the nominal thickness is .75". Program all your parts as if they are .75" thick, then set your Z zero .75" above your table. Then it doesn't matter what the actual thickness is.If you need to v-Carve, or cut precise depth pockets, then there's not much you can do.
Title: Re: compensating for different stock thickness
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on September 27, 2013, 01:36:13 AM
Hi Tony,

I don’t know if this helps but I get this problem all the time with multi-layer engraving laminates, sometimes it is even just with different batches from the same manufacturer.

I always use an ‘auto tool zero’ probe to set Z zero at the top surface of the work then, if necessary adjust the Z depth of cut using the Z axis Scale DRO.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: compensating for different stock thickness
Post by: stevehuck on September 28, 2013, 07:56:37 AM
If your just cutting parts from sheet stock, there's an easy way around it. Say the nominal thickness is .75". Program all your parts as if they are .75" thick, then set your Z zero .75" above your table. Then it doesn't matter what the actual thickness is.If you need to v-Carve, or cut precise depth pockets, then there's not much you can do.


The only problem with this is you never know how deep the first cut will be. Not a big deal in wood but if the material is stainless steel it might be trouble. I say this because I am going out to cut some sheet stainless right now.