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machine Z zero question

conjured2018
Collaborator

machine Z zero question

conjured2018
Collaborator
Collaborator

Hi,

what are you fellas doing setting the Z to zero?

do you use limit switches on Z? this would seem to work for one standard mill bit with no variance of tool in adapter length.

for me a limit switch would make all coordinates of Z zero. but I use different size tools in most cases.

do you use a probe?

 

where is Z zero? is it top of part or is it top of machine using some kind of offset? I see on guy setting Z at top of machine right before hitting limit switch.

thanks JR

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engineguy
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@conjured2018 

 

There are two Z Zero positions on a Machine, one is the Z Home position and will usually be a switch at the highest point of the Z axis travel.

The other one is the Part Z Zero which is where you set your WCS for your G54/G55 etc. The X0/Y0/Z0 of the part which should match the position that you have set the WCS to in Fusion, most folks use the front Left corner of the stock for the X0/Y0 and the top of the stock for the Z0 as it is usually the easiest to get to on the machine, done correctly the machine control now knows exactly where the X/Y corner and Z height of the stock so will be able to machine the G Code in the correct coordinates.

 

For tool setting it is usually best to have either a Digital Tool setter or ground piece of hardened steel that you can use as a "slip gauge" to set your tools to as this will always be accurate, tool setting is nothing to do with setting your Part Z Zero.

 

Exactly how you would do this at your machine will depend on what the software is in your CNC Control, the Operators Manual for the CNC will show you exactly how to do it for your machine :slightly_smiling_face:

 

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