TOOLCHANGING

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MEG2OLD
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Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2009 4:32 pm

TOOLCHANGING

Post by MEG2OLD »

I have a question which shows how naive I am. I am trying to find out what I should do when I need to change a tool. I have tried hard to find a Video to follow and I have searched the Help files. Any help would be appreciated. Mike.
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metalworkz
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Re: TOOLCHANGING

Post by metalworkz »

Hello MEG2OLD,

If I understand you correctly you want to know how to set up the toolpaths within the software so that you can do a tool change? Do you have an ATC(Auto-tool-changer) on your machine or do you change the tools manually.
If you have an ATC on your machine, I believe you will want to use the Post Processor that has the ATC at the end for your machine or controller. I don't have an ATC and have not used that function so maybe someone that has will reply with more details on ATC use.
If you do the tool changes manually you can just make a toolpath for each tool that will be used. Then the machine will return Home(X0Y0Z2 etc) at the end of each toolpath and you can change the tool, re-zero the Z axis for the new tool, load and run the next toolpath.
If you need to jog the axis to facilitate zeroing the Z axis, just be sure to send the machine to the Home position(X0Y0Z2 etc) before running the toolpath program.
I hope this helps you out some, and if you have more questions just keep posting to the forums. There are a bunch of friendly, informative people here and we all want to help each other!
Best regards,
Wes
wes.spence@comcast.net
Gingery Machines:
Lathe, Horiz. Mill, Shaper, Leaf Brake

cabnet636
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Re: TOOLCHANGING

Post by cabnet636 »

what type of machine do you have?

jim
James McGrew
http://www.mcgrewwoodwork.com
CAMaster ATC 508 24/7 http://dropc.am/p/EJaKyl

MEG2OLD
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Re: TOOLCHANGING

Post by MEG2OLD »

Hi Jim. My machine is a CNC SHARC PRO and I have Vcarve Pro Version 5. I really am a complete beginner but I have done a lot of Router free-hand work in the past. I just have to keep working at the machine and I know it will take time. Thanks to the good advice I get from the Forum members I am finding the work very interesting. Mike.

cabnet636
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Re: TOOLCHANGING

Post by cabnet636 »

ok so what you have is known as a single head cnc and you will have to change bits manually, when you run your first file you set xy(0) at a startpoint that coincides with the file you made. you then set z at (0) and run your first file, for the second (toolchange) return to xy(0) then change to the next desired bit set z(0) for the new bit and run the next file in the order you have chosen.

remember do not change xy(0) as it needs to be the same start point.

it is even a good idea to set a common xy point as reference

also remember we were all complete beginners!!

hope this helps

jim
James McGrew
http://www.mcgrewwoodwork.com
CAMaster ATC 508 24/7 http://dropc.am/p/EJaKyl

MEG2OLD
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Re: TOOLCHANGING

Post by MEG2OLD »

Hi Jim. Thanks for your help. I can't get my hands on the machine for, probably, 3 days and I am eager to use your suggestions. I have it in my mind that when I change the tool I may have to set the replacement tool into the chuck at a pre-defined depth. I now feel that I will, perhaps, be able to adjust the "z" to compensate. I know that I will understand far better when I can get my hands onto the job.
Where would we be without the help given by the Forum Members?
Thanks Mike.

cabnet636
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Re: TOOLCHANGING

Post by cabnet636 »

the shark is proving it self to be a decent machine with great capabilities, limited only by a table size and there are workarounds for that, my first machine was a carvewright with a 14" width, i did a sign 48"w x 72L by creating each component in a certain width abd gluing it together, while i now own much larger machines i would love to have one of these in my home shop, this machine (shark) is a capable as any!!

jim
James McGrew
http://www.mcgrewwoodwork.com
CAMaster ATC 508 24/7 http://dropc.am/p/EJaKyl

cabnet636
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Re: TOOLCHANGING

Post by cabnet636 »

ps get some cheap up or down spiral .25 bits from harbor freight and break a few before you break the expensive ones,, even though the instructions say "turnkey" the machine is still incharge!!

jim
James McGrew
http://www.mcgrewwoodwork.com
CAMaster ATC 508 24/7 http://dropc.am/p/EJaKyl

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