What do people do for zeroing z? Do people make a perfectly round cylinder? What is the best way to do this? How do I zero to the center point? Do I make a block the same height as the center point and zero off of that?
Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks
4axis questions
- Rcnewcomb
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Re: 4axis questions
On my first CNC I measured the distance from the top of the tailstock to the dead center. I could Z-zero to the top of the tailstock and then move it down by the distance (in my case, 1 inch) and reset Z-zero.
On my current CNC the rotary is at a fixed position so there is a macro in WinCNC that I run which sets X, Y, and Z to the rotary.- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop
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- Vectric Craftsman
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Re: 4axis questions
I cut a block of wood to the desired height (3" or 76.5mm if I recall correctly) and then zero off of that. Make sure in your Material Setup you have Z-zero set to Center of Cylinder.
On my CNC router (Axiom Precision), I set a workspace up for my 4th axis, and set X0Y0 to about 8 inches from the chuck (most of the pieces I cut are about 15-16" long) and then adjust the y-axis to the correct spot (I set my datum to be in the middle of the piece). Keeping the same X0 is pretty important (midline of the chuck/tailpiece), so that's why I have a dedicated workspace for my rotary axis. You could make a small mark on some part of the rotary axis (tailstock?) to zero off of for the X0, if you don't have the option to have a dedicated work space.
Allan
On my CNC router (Axiom Precision), I set a workspace up for my 4th axis, and set X0Y0 to about 8 inches from the chuck (most of the pieces I cut are about 15-16" long) and then adjust the y-axis to the correct spot (I set my datum to be in the middle of the piece). Keeping the same X0 is pretty important (midline of the chuck/tailpiece), so that's why I have a dedicated workspace for my rotary axis. You could make a small mark on some part of the rotary axis (tailstock?) to zero off of for the X0, if you don't have the option to have a dedicated work space.
Allan
- SteveNelson46
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Re: 4axis questions
Randall,Rcnewcomb wrote: ↑Tue Aug 23, 2022 6:19 pmOn my first CNC I measured the distance from the top of the tailstock to the dead center. I could Z-zero to the top of the tailstock and then move it down by the distance (in my case, 1 inch) and reset Z-zero.
RotaryIndY.gif
On my current CNC the rotary is at a fixed position so there is a macro in WinCNC that I run which sets X, Y, and Z to the rotary.
I'm interested in your WinCNC macro. If you are willing to share it send me a PM with your email address.
Steve
- Rcnewcomb
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Re: 4axis questions
Actually, Gary Campbell set up my machine, including the WinCNC macros.
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop
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Re: 4axis questions
Thanks a lot guys. I'll work with that and see what I can do.
I hope to post some pictures soon.
As always, the help is greatly appreciated.
I hope to post some pictures soon.
As always, the help is greatly appreciated.