Originally Posted by
C*H*U*D
I don't really understand this part of your procedure. Why are you worried about setting the spindle nose as tool zero? Is this just part of your troubleshooting or do you do this for every part?
The important thing is that you have the correct length offset entered when you have the dial compressed to your zero mark.
So are you referencing the 4" from the table, the vise or the part? I guess I don't understand why you are using two different tools to do your measuring. The Haimer just needs to touch what you're working on. Or is this also part of your troubleshooting? I use a Haimer at work, but at home on my Tormach I use a dial indicator for Z which works exactly like a Haimer would (I just don't have X and Y). To get accurate Z heights, I measure off of the bottom of the part so that means I measure to the parallel, soft jaw or whatever is going to be touching the bottom of the part. In Fusion I set my CAM origin on that bottom surface as well. My Z height is actually my most accurate out of the three on my 770, and I usually hit it within .0005".
So if the Haimer is accurately measuring distances in Z, but your machined parts are wrong, then something in your procedure is to blame, not the Haimer correct? Sorry if I'm confused, I'm just trying to understand your procedure better.