Tool setter macro for probing large diameter bits
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2023 4:30 amHi All,
I hope that you are all well and enjoying your machines. I was wondering if somebody can give me a hand.
I have a CNC Router with a tool setter. I have a slightly modified M6 macro that take the gantry to a specific part of the table and waits for me to manually change the tool, then it goes to the tool setter/probe to measure the new length (I do not have an ATC and I do not use the tool table. I just wait for the g-code to request a new tool). It works great for me.
The problem that I have now is that I have some slot bit/surface bit with inserts where the cutting edge is on the outer edge. The diameter of the probe is not large enough to reach the inserts so the tool is probed in the centre which is recessed from the cutting edge giving the software the wrong tool length.
I saw a youtube video with an ATC spindle where the person resolved the same problem with a macro where he defined in the tool table large bits (This is not CNCdrive hardware or software). If the code requests a large bit the macro would offset the tool from the centre of the probe and would probe the tool 3 times in 3 different positions (ensuring that at least one of those position touches the tool insert). Then the code would detect the lowest point of those 3 positions (where the insert is) and comeback to that position out of the 3 to probe again slowly for accuracy.
I was wondering if there is a way to implement a similar thing in the CNCdrive side. Since I am not proficient in coding (I can just slightly modify/customise something already done) I was wondering if somebody have a similar macro or can help me/guide me to at least get started.
Thank you in advance.
I hope that you are all well and enjoying your machines. I was wondering if somebody can give me a hand.
I have a CNC Router with a tool setter. I have a slightly modified M6 macro that take the gantry to a specific part of the table and waits for me to manually change the tool, then it goes to the tool setter/probe to measure the new length (I do not have an ATC and I do not use the tool table. I just wait for the g-code to request a new tool). It works great for me.
The problem that I have now is that I have some slot bit/surface bit with inserts where the cutting edge is on the outer edge. The diameter of the probe is not large enough to reach the inserts so the tool is probed in the centre which is recessed from the cutting edge giving the software the wrong tool length.
I saw a youtube video with an ATC spindle where the person resolved the same problem with a macro where he defined in the tool table large bits (This is not CNCdrive hardware or software). If the code requests a large bit the macro would offset the tool from the centre of the probe and would probe the tool 3 times in 3 different positions (ensuring that at least one of those position touches the tool insert). Then the code would detect the lowest point of those 3 positions (where the insert is) and comeback to that position out of the 3 to probe again slowly for accuracy.
I was wondering if there is a way to implement a similar thing in the CNCdrive side. Since I am not proficient in coding (I can just slightly modify/customise something already done) I was wondering if somebody have a similar macro or can help me/guide me to at least get started.
Thank you in advance.