[jan.van.gent]

Hello there!

I'm trying to calibrate the length of my TS640 Heidenhain touchprobe using iTNC530 controller.
The X and Y axis are no problem, (using a ring of calibrated radius), but the length (Z axis) won't work. I don't know what I am doing wrong.

I'm using the manual, 2.2: calibrating a Touch Trigger Probe.

This manual says:
- Set the datum in the spindle axis such that for the machine tool table Z=0
- Go to touch probe Cal L soft keys
- Enter the tool axis (Z in my case)
- Datum: enter the height of the ring gauge: (30 mm in my case)
- The menu items effective ball radius and effective length do not require input
-move the touch probe to a position just above the ring and gauge
-to probe the upper surfacce of the ring gauge, press the machine start button.

I did all the above things.
So first I set the datum z=0 using the touch probe, by touching the table



Then I go to the Cal L menu:

And I entered datum:30 for the height of the calibration ring.

Next thing I do is to touch the ring top:

The effective length is now changed.
Next I press: enter length in tool table

This length is indeed entered in the tool table:


BUT NOW THE PROBLEM:

To check if the calibration is correct I retouch the table and this is now again z=0, OK correct. Then I touch the top of the ring: Z=+30,, correct again!

BUT the position mentioned by the controller is incorrect. After touching, the tool always retract x mm's (let say about 10 mm), so after setting the datum the actual position should be about -10mm, but instead it's always in the order of -150 mm. So the position is incorrect.

Anyone any idea?

[jan.van.gent]

FYI: The machine also has a Blum laser measurement system to measure the length of the tools.

What I don't understand: how does the controller knows the length of the touch probe? It measures the difference between the table and the top of the ring = 30 mm, but how is it possible to extract the tool length out of that?

[csg67]

Negative effective length?

Effective length determination step by step:
- TOOL CALL 0 Z (Length = 0)

- The empty spindle (Length = 0) to set the zero point Z
For example:

Display: ACTL. Z=70!

- TOOL CALL 1 Z (TS641)

- CAL L softkey
Tool axis = Z
Datum = +0
Z- softkey

The effective length of the actual length of TS641 now (approximately +140 mm)!

- The measured effective length of the tool table can be entered!

Have a nice day!