z zero plate
z zero plate
Tired of using paper to get zero.
Is it worth buying a z zero plate from Amazon or Ebay?
Can anybody in the UK recommend one for use with Mach 3?
Is it worth buying a z zero plate from Amazon or Ebay?
Can anybody in the UK recommend one for use with Mach 3?
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- Vectric Wizard
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Re: z zero plate
Most of us just use a small piece of aluminum bar.
Gerry - http://www.thecncwoodworker.com
- Adrian
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Re: z zero plate
They're just a bit of plate with a wire on so it's easy enough to make. Loads of videos and web pages on how to do it.
- newmexico
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Re: z zero plate
We use the z zero plate for our Shopbot made CNC machines.
Why? Because we became tired of the "Alligator Clip."
Very accurate for our needs. We trust it thoroughly.
Why? Because we became tired of the "Alligator Clip."
Very accurate for our needs. We trust it thoroughly.
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Re: z zero plate
[quote="newmexico"]We use the z zero plate for our Shopbot made CNC machines.
Why? Because we became tired of the "Alligator Clip."quote]
I have a z-zero plate that came with my Shopbot. Yes, it has an alligator clip. What is the brand name of the "z zero plate" you refer to?
Why? Because we became tired of the "Alligator Clip."quote]
I have a z-zero plate that came with my Shopbot. Yes, it has an alligator clip. What is the brand name of the "z zero plate" you refer to?
- Leo
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Re: z zero plate
I use tool touch at work all the time. They are spring controlled and no hard touch EVER. But they cost $5,000 to $25,000.
I don't trust a solid plate and a program to touch the tip of my brittle carbide tool to.
I WAS just touching the tool tip to the wood - no paper no shim. Ehh -- wood -- nothing critical. Cutting pockets and trying to match cutter tool length on different tools was not accurate.
To me - using paper is something I have done for decades and I got REALLY REALLY good at it, so, I didn't really need anything.
BUT - I still don't trust a plate. I am old school.
NOW - I have found this device that allows be to be within .001 or less and I an SURE of it. No guesswork - no alligator clips - no scripts - no programs -- just simplicity. It takes only seconds. Maybe a touch plate is 1-2 seconds faster, but I don't care. This is SIMPLE.
I know not everyone will like it, but even that is ok -- I like it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PWCY17Y/?c ... _lig_dp_it
Check it out.
I don't trust a solid plate and a program to touch the tip of my brittle carbide tool to.
I WAS just touching the tool tip to the wood - no paper no shim. Ehh -- wood -- nothing critical. Cutting pockets and trying to match cutter tool length on different tools was not accurate.
To me - using paper is something I have done for decades and I got REALLY REALLY good at it, so, I didn't really need anything.
BUT - I still don't trust a plate. I am old school.
NOW - I have found this device that allows be to be within .001 or less and I an SURE of it. No guesswork - no alligator clips - no scripts - no programs -- just simplicity. It takes only seconds. Maybe a touch plate is 1-2 seconds faster, but I don't care. This is SIMPLE.
I know not everyone will like it, but even that is ok -- I like it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PWCY17Y/?c ... _lig_dp_it
Check it out.
Imagine the Possibilities of a Creative mind, combined with the functionality of CNC
- SteveNelson46
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Re: z zero plate
I have a Camaster using Wincnc. One of their options is what they call FTC (fast tool change). It works really great. When a different tool is called for in the g-code it automatically runs a macro that allows the bit to be changed then moves the bit over the built in touch pad and measures the tool. The touch pad can be calibrated in another macro if needed. This probably isn't something that high productions shops would use but, they usually have automatic tool changers with pre-measured tools anyway.
Steve
- Adrian
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Re: z zero plate
I use an adjustable aluminium bolt as the touch off point. I've done it that way for years using it several times a week and I've yet to damage a bit in any way. It's all down to the reaction of the contact being made. With my configuration it's never been an issue but with my old machine there was too much of a delay between contact being made and the software reacting to it unless I slowed the approach to ridiculously slow levels.
- newmexico
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Re: z zero plate
Was asked earlier about the plate we use.
It is the Precision Z-Zero Plate made and sold by shopbot.
It is the Precision Z-Zero Plate made and sold by shopbot.
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Re: z zero plate
“I've learned so much from my mistakes, I'm thinking of making a few more”
- Mike-S
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Re: z zero plate
I use a piece of aluminum beer can--0.004" is the same as a piece of copy paper.To me - using paper is something I have done for decades
- dwilli9013
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Re: z zero plate
Nice I like that take. Personally use carbon paper and have for years. But this sounds enticing.Mike-S wrote:I use a piece of aluminum beer can--0.004" is the same as a piece of copy paper.To me - using paper is something I have done for decades
D-Dub
Dwayne
Dwilli
Dwayne
Dwilli
- Mike-S
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Re: z zero plate
You want to make sure you always use a fresh beer can......But this sounds enticing.
- rscrawford
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Re: z zero plate
I just ordered this. This is right up my alley. I have a tool length measuring switch on my ATC machine, and I normally leave Z0 at the spoil board. But there are a few times where I want to zero to the same side of a double sized cut, so I need to zero off the material surface for one side. I use the paper method now, which works, but this little tool will be soooo much easier!! I'd never use a touch plate, for fear of ruining my carbide bits.Leo wrote:I use tool touch at work all the time. They are spring controlled and no hard touch EVER. But they cost $5,000 to $25,000.
I don't trust a solid plate and a program to touch the tip of my brittle carbide tool to.
I WAS just touching the tool tip to the wood - no paper no shim. Ehh -- wood -- nothing critical. Cutting pockets and trying to match cutter tool length on different tools was not accurate.
To me - using paper is something I have done for decades and I got REALLY REALLY good at it, so, I didn't really need anything.
BUT - I still don't trust a plate. I am old school.
NOW - I have found this device that allows be to be within .001 or less and I an SURE of it. No guesswork - no alligator clips - no scripts - no programs -- just simplicity. It takes only seconds. Maybe a touch plate is 1-2 seconds faster, but I don't care. This is SIMPLE.
I know not everyone will like it, but even that is ok -- I like it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PWCY17Y/?c ... _lig_dp_it
Check it out.
Russell Crawford
http://www.cherryleaf-rustle.com
http://www.cherryleaf-rustle.com