4axis questions

This section is for useful tips and tricks for Aspire
Post Reply
Gocarter
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 68
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2016 1:56 am
Model of CNC Machine: PDJ pilot pro
Location: Calgary Alberta

4axis questions

Post by Gocarter »

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

User avatar
Rcnewcomb
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 5886
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:54 am
Model of CNC Machine: 24x36 GCnC/WinCNC with ATC
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Contact:

Re: 4axis questions

Post by Rcnewcomb »

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.
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.
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop

ZipperHead55
Vectric Craftsman
Posts: 186
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:21 am
Model of CNC Machine: Axiom AR4Pro+ and AR8Pro+
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Re: 4axis questions

Post by ZipperHead55 »

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

User avatar
SteveNelson46
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2282
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2012 2:43 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Camaster Stinger 1
Location: Tucson, Az.

Re: 4axis questions

Post by SteveNelson46 »

Rcnewcomb wrote:
Tue Aug 23, 2022 6:19 pm
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.
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.
Randall,

I'm interested in your WinCNC macro. If you are willing to share it send me a PM with your email address.
Steve

User avatar
Rcnewcomb
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 5886
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:54 am
Model of CNC Machine: 24x36 GCnC/WinCNC with ATC
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Contact:

Re: 4axis questions

Post by Rcnewcomb »

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

Gocarter
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 68
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2016 1:56 am
Model of CNC Machine: PDJ pilot pro
Location: Calgary Alberta

Re: 4axis questions

Post by Gocarter »

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.

Post Reply