[Lab] how to change endmills and not loose Z zero?

[Darcy Whyte]

if I estimate zero when I start a job (as I have been)....

then when I want to change endmills, raise the z axis and put the block
underneath. Make sure it touches the block. Then change the endmills making
sure it is touching the block.

Don't have to measure or calculate anything. Just make sure it's at the same
level as the block






On Wed, Apr 13, 2011 at 3:52 PM, Tom Burns <tom.i.burns at gmail.com> wrote:

> yup and from there you could calculate the z offset in software between the
> endmills to compensate
>
> Tom
>
>
> On Wed, Apr 13, 2011 at 3:46 PM, Darcy Whyte <darcy at siteware.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> I guess if I had a block of metal and I always place it on the bed when
>> mounting an endmill. I could just make sure the endmill is touching the
>> block of metal. Then when I change endmills it will be at the same height.
>>
>> I think that's what you meant right?
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Apr 13, 2011 at 3:43 PM, Tom Burns <tom.i.burns at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Ah, makes sense.
>>>
>>> Instead of doing the switch at 0 then, maybe:
>>>
>>> move to another known point that is clear,
>>> calculate the software z position for a known physical height (like just
>>> touching the base)
>>> adjust Z so you can change end mills
>>> reposition Z physically to the known physical height, the difference in Z
>>> position is the offset?
>>>
>>> Tom
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Apr 13, 2011 at 3:39 PM, Darcy Whyte <darcy at siteware.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Returning to zero will bring the spindle too low to withdraw the endmill
>>>> from the chuck.
>>>>
>>>> But even if I could, the length of the endmill sticking out the chuck
>>>> will not be the same. I need to get it to be the same or move it to zero
>>>> somehow and then rezero the z axis in the software.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Wed, Apr 13, 2011 at 3:33 PM, Tom Burns <tom.i.burns at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Having no practical experience with a CNC yet this is only a guess, but
>>>>> could you return to zero before switching endmills?  Or would you end up
>>>>> still having to estimate Z position.
>>>>>
>>>>> On Wed, Apr 13, 2011 at 3:30 PM, Darcy Whyte <darcy at siteware.com>wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> I want to eventually do cnc cutting with multiple endmills.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Problem is I wont know where zero is for the work in progress. It's
>>>>>> easy to estimate zero at the start and it works okay for cutting. But to
>>>>>> continue work, an estimate wont do. It has to match.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Any ideas?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Darcy Whyte
>>>>>> *Darcy at Siteware.com*
>>>>>> Ottawa, Canada | 613-563-3634 | N 45° 25'03.1" W 75° 42'21.4"
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>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>
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