I have been trying to wrap my head around trying to setup tool offsets for my Emco 340. The more I think about it the more my hair hurts. I am sure it is probably really simple once you understand it but I uh don't get it.

How do you guys setup your tool offsets?

What's confusing to me is the 810T operating and programming manual. I understand the concepts of entering the tool number and offset number and tool types etc... What stumps me is the measuring of the x and z offset length.

There is a feature on the control called Autom. Tool or Automatic Tool Offset. The manual says this function requires a tool measuring device. The coordinates of the measuring point of the workpiece (referring to the machine) should be entered as a "reference plane" point. This is achieved by coordinating the point of the turning tool with the measuring point and reading off the x and z values from the measuring device.

Man I guess I don't speak German engineer because I don't get it. Does this mean you need an optical tool setter for this function to be useful?

I have found a couple of videos on youtube and this has only served to confuse me more. Here is one from Siemens for a newer version of their control. The process seems simple enough I just don't understand if my control works the same way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Iem1FRWoBU

The other video is from Tormach for their new slant bed lathe which suggests using a toolholder as a master tool. This seems easy enough but again I am just not sure if that's the right approach for this machine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so0rDvbVkYQ

This might just be a totally dumb question but I am just confused as hell at this point.