ER Collets and "Z ref" for subsequent operations

[canterburyflyer]

Hi guys,

I normally sort this stuff out, but I admit to drawing a blank. After days of upgrading the bed of my CNC router, I have need of a fixture plate to mount low profile vice. I know that there is more tasks to improving the stiffness and rigidity of a machine of this price point. Probably will address the gantry and re-build the Z axis assembly.

So this is my first aluminum part, a scaled down version of a fixture plate with all the operations required.

I am curious to see how the helical thread milling goes. The single point tool looks very delicate.

What really adds a layer of uncertainty is the feeds and speeds guess work. 

I have generated all toolpaths in one set up in the following order. 

Facing

Center point drill

Peck Drill

Helical Threading 

2D Contour 

2D Chamfer

The first operation removes 0.4mm stock from the face.

Due to the use of ER20 collets, there is the need to do Z Ref for every subsequent operation.

So for the second operation I would have only the newly machined surface to do my Z Ref from. 

Is Fusion expecting that? Some how I think not.

What do I do?

The only thing I can think of is to do the facing routine in one setup and make a new setup for the rest of the operations. 

Thanks for taking the time

Chris

[programming2C78B · Accepted solution]

program origin off model top, face to z0. You can just adjust your work offset at the machine until the material has cleaned up. 

You can also touch off the bed, then come up your part finished thickness.