OK. I have worked in a machine shop for over 20 years. I am good with computers and assumed this would be a simple transition. This is kicking my butt!! I got the WIPS have figured out how to set x and y work offsets, but the Z axis is never right whenever I try simple intuitive programs. I just want to write the number 3 in a pc of aluminum.....thats all! When I hit cycle start, it grabs the ball endmill, goes to the center of the work pc, but the tool is 4+ inches above the surface. How do I set Z0 at the top of the aluminum?!?
Next, the warm up program. I try to run it and it tells me I am in the wrong mode. What keys do I have to hit to run the damn warmup program?!?
Finally, the spindle probe. I used it all day yesterday, playing around, running the automatic (Intuitive Programming) programs for touching off. I loved the one for a raised square boss (the one I used for my aluminum that was supposed to get a 3 egraved on it) and I it worked beautifully all day. Today, I ran the exact same probe subroutine because I moved the aluminum in the vice and instead of going down in Z to find the top of the part, it never stopped going down in Z. CRUNCH!!!! The spindle probe didn't remotely turn on and there goes my new 6mm ruby ball!!! Has anyone ever seen this or know what could have caused it? We were welding aluminum in the shop and I am wondering if the high frequency caused it.
Can anyone please help me get started? So far it has been like getting kicked in the shins. I just need a little help getting the ball rolling. Thanks in advance.