Hello Everyone,
Maybe a basic question but i am wondering about tool changes and setting job zero. If i change the size of the end mill to do finer details on a finishing pass do i need to reset the zob zero position? I know i need to reset the z value.
Basically should job zero be directly under the center of the end mill or is it at the edge of the end mill?
Thanks!
Job zero should be under the center of the endmill.
You should not need to reset the Z either unless you, for some unorthodox reason, chose to use a different zero when creating the tool path. Any differences in the tool length will be accommodated when the new tool length is measured.
BTW, the Nomad, and Carbide Motion, will remember all these zeros even after you shut it off and turn it on again assuming you initialize the machine which you should do each time you turn it back on.
[edit: change Create to Motion]
Ah! Thank you, this is very helpful. I understand the concept a little better now.
I have a Shapeoko 3, and the software I have is Carbide Create (free version) and Carbide Motion (free version). Will this combination also automatically allow for differences in tool length after a tool change? In other words after setting X, Y and Z zeros using BitZero (I don’t have BitSetter), can I safely change toolbits, as stipulated by the software, for different tool paths, without having to reset Z zero?
You need the bitsetter for that. It is how the machine knows the relative position of the cutter compared to your zero point.
Without bitsetter your toolpath files need to use a single tool. When you load a new file for the subsequent tool you need to rezero Z based on that specific tool’s stick out.
There is no standard distance from the collet to the tip of the tool unless you use some collars on the bits.
Thanks for the info. I suspected as much. Today, (hence my question) I attempted to reset Z after a tool change, but to do this I had to exit the Carbide Motion “Run” command (or “Start Job”…I forget which) in order to get back to the “Jog” menu. I reset Z zero and went back to “Run” but everything went back to the start of the tool paths.
Is the answer to keep each tool path in a separate file?
Well, the real answer is to buy a bitsetter. It makes life much easier.
If that isn’t in your plan then yes, you need separate files for CM. You can keep it all in one design file and then disable all but one tool path and save the file for that one path. Then, disable that one and enable the next and save again. Remember to save each as a new name with some indicator to you as to what order to run them in.
That’s very helpful. I have been asked to run the CNC for our Men’s Shed which I recently joined, and I am very much a beginner. We (our treasurer) guards our funds very carefully and I am unlikely to convince him that BitSetter is a priority, so your advice on the alternative course of action is the way I must go. I will be back to the Shed in 5 days time and will try out your suggestions.
Time is money. Although if it’s all just for fun the argument may be harder.
But, aside from the annoyance and time required to reset Z for each path you have the extra pain and time to split the gcode files. That then in turn leads to the possibility that you mess up and run the files in the wrong order.
My 2 cents is that it is a good investment.
It’s not just about price, it’s also value. The BitSetter is probably the best value accessory for the Shapeoko. Maybe the treasurer could be persuaded by the value argument?
FWIW: I added the bitsetter to my SO3 a few years ago, love it
and I wouldn’t want to be with out one.
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