Re: Tool offsets
Originally posted by hardmill
As you said 10 people will have ten opinions.
I Always try to set all my tools off the top of
the part(just my preference). snip
Hi James, and welcome, you special referral, you
This guy helped me a ton with writing scripts for Bobcad, back when I was heavy into that.
I do what Hardmill does. I have also thought of switching over to a slightly different system, but my old programs keep me going back to the old system. Plus, I use a heck of a lot of different tools (drills, taps and reamers) that mean I have to change tools in a given station anyway
I would always use the top of the part as the Z datum.
The new system I was contemplating was dedicating a single work offset (such as G54) as the "master reference" plane. Then, I would dedicate one toolholder as master, and set all other tool lengths relative to this master. Then, when setting up a new job, I would only check the Z datum with the master tool, and adjust the G54 offset accordingly. Then, I would not have to touch the rest of the tools.
I actually purchased a Fowler digital height gauge for setting up my tools relative to the master, but I haven't yet found a corner of my crowded shop where I can park it and leave it be.
First you get good, then you get fast. Then grouchiness sets in.
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)