3D design to CNC mill design flow

[David ColwillParticipant @davidcolwill19261]

Andrew

I'll have to check NC Plot out.

Roger,

For height setting I use a version of this **LINK**

For edge finding I use this type **LINK**

A better if not more expensive way is this **LINK**

The whole thing gets much easier the more you play with it.

David.

[Anonymous]

Posted by David Colwill on 16/12/2016 11:38:52:

Andrew

I'll have to check NC Plot out.

Roger,

For height setting I use a version of this **LINK**

For edge finding I use this type **LINK**

A better if not more expensive way is this **LINK**

The whole thing gets much easier the more you play with it.

David.

Another couple of minor points. NCPLot seems to be slightly more accurate on estimated machining time than my CAM program. The program also gives maximum excursions in all axes from the work offsets. That's very reassuring when the mill table is Z=0 and the work is mounted directly on the table. You definitely don't want to see Z minus.

Andrew

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

I have a little height setter which I built.

It has a magnet on the base that sticks it to the table; the silver circle you can see at the top is a spring-loaded tungsten carbide insert. On the right is a 4mm plug that connects it to the probe input to the controller. I have a simple Mach3 macro that, when the tool is positioned a few mm above the button, you click on "auto tool zero" on the programme run screen, it lowers the tool to the button, sets the tool height offset to 38.84 mm, then lifts the tool to 50 mm. I think the macro could be run from within a gcode program, but since I change tools manually anyway I just run it manually.

I have also made a little 10mm dia probe that fits in a collet, and has an isolated tip, with a macro that, run from the offsets screen, will locate an X or Y edge then set the work zero appropriately. I worked out a way to make sure the isolated tip is dead concentric with the shank, have been meaning to post it or write it up for MEW sometime.

Edited By John Haine on 16/12/2016 13:15:36

[Roger HeadParticipant @rogerhead16992]

All useful info, thanks guys. I know that it was me who raised the question of tool height setting, but consideration of a couple of things in the replies, and all the further thoughts that they aroused, have led me to the conclusion that I'm going to wind up with a detail-info overload. They are obviously important factors that must be learned, but at the moment I'm still staring at an F360 screen and trying to remember which button to press next, so I'd like to leave this discussion for the moment, and return sometime later when my brain is ready to absorb a little more.

Thanks for all your help.

Roger

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