Setup and Initial Calibration of a Renishaw Tool Setter

[@somebodyelse6673]

That inset view of the indicator is really nice. Teach that to all the other youtube machinists, please! :)

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

LOL, but that is what makes my videos that much better ;) I think the new Gopro 4 will be easier to get into focus. This one was a little blurry.

[@markrichardson239]

Tim; I am in your debt. Your video is going to be such a help when I do my install next week. I also added the extra filters after calling you on it. Mark

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

That is why I made all the videos, just trying to help others out. Thanks, and good luck on the install.

[@JetNmyFuture]

I had these on all my Haas machines. I never, ever want to machine anything without them. Interesting to see a retrofit install.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

They are a big time saver

[@PeteBrubaker]

Good grief, my subs on KZbin are reading my mind. I happen to be setting one up for a friend tomorrow. This is like the 5th or 6th time a video has come out the night before I have to do something. Thanks for sharing!

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Your Welcome Pete, we aim to please. Clairvoyance is in the job description.

[@elitemachineworks1037]

Really appreciate all the effort you put into doing these tutorials. Looking forward to the macro video.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Your Welcome Kyle, the first one is almost done.

[@phillip5179]

Another very helpful FADAL related video. Thank you AT-Man!

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Thank you

[@OmCncClasses]

Best explanation

[@johnburke7253]

Great one Tim, sometimes I wonder who was the first guy was that came up with some of the ideas that these electronics evolved from. Someone just didn't wake up and say I am going to invent a tool setter today.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Thanks John, I feel the vast majority of inventions come about from someone having a need (IE measure tools better) and then looking what is around them and putting existing blocks together for the new idea. Then they evolve from there to get better. If you break down a tool setter to its basic components, it really is just a switch that stops a motor.

[@EdgePrecision]

You don't have the Renishaw macros for touching off tools and spindle probe in your conlrol? You only need one line of code with them. On the Haas machine in my garage this is the code if memory serves me right. to touch a single tool its G65 P9023 A12. T1 for tool #1. There is also a code for touching off multiple tools witch is very similar (I need to be at the machine to be sure. I have label's stuck on the control.) I think its G65 P9023 A25. T1 T2 T3 and so on (the A#. code is the one that changes depending on the cycle). Maybe your machine could use these macros that the Haas uses. All these macros are in the Renishaw Easy Set programs. There are ones that are very useful for the spindle probe when setting up a part.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Hello Peter, no the Renishaw macros are not in Fadal machines. I do have a copy of the Renishaw macros for the spindle probe but not the tool setter. The macros for Haas wont run on Fadal because the macro language is a little different. The macros are not that big of deal to write if your only writing them for use on one type of machine. The Renishaw macros are super over complex because they are designed to be reusable as much as possible on a number of machines. The only issue is they take up a huge amount of memory in the controller so I might go in and tweak them up to be more Fadal specific and save a lot of memory space.

[@EdgePrecision]

At-Man Unlimited Machining How much memory does your machine have? I haven't added them up but I would guess about 50K of memory. I'm sure Renishaw makes macros specifically for you control. You may be able to download them from their website. In their macros they have calibration cycles for both probes as well. This will be especially good for your spindle probe. You will need a accurate ring gage though.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

I have the Renishaw macros for the spindle probe, that is the important one. The tool setter really is not a big deal, not to much magic there. The issue is that a base model Fadal only has 44K or program space. So there are two versions of the macro a light and a full. But even the light version takes over half the memory. A lot of it is written in a very linear fashion with no use of indexing, so there is a ton of if and case type statements. That is what blows up the code size. I do have a ring gauge to calibrate the spindle probe with. Going to finish playing with the tool setter and get it the way I like, then move onto the spindle probe. I will make videos of that as well. When your a software guy and can write these macros fairly easily, it is very hard not to mess with them. Engineers can never leave good enough alone! But it makes for some interesting videos.

[@EdgePrecision]

At-Man Unlimited Machining Wow that very limited memory size. Is there any way to increase it? I'm not even close to a programmer but their macros access user and machine variables in the control. To be able to use the functions the probe is capable of can you simplify their macros? Or are you just planning to use the probe for setup only. As I've said before, I want to make a video of in process control utilizing the spindle probe. If there was just more time in the day.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Yes, you can upgrade it, very $$$ for what you get and getting harder to come by. I was able to get 422K of memory. Not a ton, but enough to run about half of my programs from memory. The last revision of boards can upgrade to 16MB which is more then enough for even complex programs. But its $1600 and you must have the latest rev boards. There is another option to upgrade the whole controller that I will show in the next few months. Yes the macros use the "V" variables in Fadal, there are 99 of them. Then for storing cal data and such they abuse the last 10 tool length and diameter offset variables. Yes, I should be able to simplify them a good amount from first glance. I started digging into them a little bit recently. They do things a bit odd but I think its to make them more flexible for other control types. My tool setting macro is at about 5K right now, but I have a ton of user prompts and that chews up memory fast. I want to use the spindle probe for setup, and in process control and feedback into the tool diameters. I hear you about the time. Hope the house is getting back together ok for you. I'm sure there will be a huge shortage of labor and materials for some time with all the damage.

[@bullrunhunter6489]

do you have a link to replacement tool setter probes? To clarify when i search google it appears im only finding part of the styli. perhaps the photos are lacking. Is it sold as datum, parallel shaft and break? 3 pieces separately? Another question. When installing a spindle probe do we connect to same terminals as the tool setter? is there any conflict running the wires together so both can be used?

[@jamesbowman1767]

What program for Mazak vertical?

[@doughall1794]

Great timing, and another great video. I just set up my Fadal probe yesterday. I have not figured out how I can calibrate my Heimer directly to the probe yet. Guess I will just do the manual offset calculation. Not sure why but I have to press start multiple 3 to 4 times before the probe will actually start the probe routine. I can not figure out how to probe a manually inserted tool (tool offset 30 for example)? I noticed you also responded NO to the offset probe question, what is that used for? The macro to go ahead and set the tool height without intervention would be a big plus.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

I manually setup my Heimer with it's own tool offset using a gauge block off the table. I manually probed a tool just using the jog screen and watching the probe status and doing the math by hand. I'm not sure what you would use the additional offset for, have not figured out a reason yet. The macro is coming along, ready for live testing. Thanks!

[@doughall1794]

At-Man Unlimited Machining I do not think my older CNC88 shows the status of the probe on the jog screen, what do you see?

[@doughall1794]

My lube was low causing alarm messages that needed acknowledged, thus the multiple starts. Lube filled, another problem resolved.

[@CapeCodCNC]

Great info! Funny you mentioned clunky macro, last night I was talking to my machine importer about probes and macros and told me they could swap the Adtech controller for a Siemens 808D that has all probing functions built in. They could do an all Siemens 808D Advanced motion system but but that is going to take a lot of thought. Hmm, save money and learn to write macros or spend a ton of money and get a better/easier control system. And a manual not written in Chinglesh. Definitely going used on the probes they are crazy money. I will have to stay tuned and see how this progresses and maybe pick up some macro coding skills!

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

It is going Great! All the probe items are from Fleebay.

[@pioneerprobeandtoolsetter8642]

Please check our company products. Thank you.

[@stephfong4577]

Have you ever used this tool setter to measure a boring bar? And also, have you tried using the spindle test bar to calibrate the tool setter?

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

No, but you can measure a boring head with the setter, both ID and OD as long as it is bigger then the stylus and your using a round stylus. I use a pin gauge to calibrate the setter.

[@armydude6394]

The macro for the Fadal would be perfect

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Still working on it.....

[@danielshallenberger1840]

Nice job on the install! Pretty clean and professional. I'm kind of surprised you used a .0005 indicator to indicate the tool probe to under .0002 of total indicator movement. Next time try using the infamously pain in the ass .0001 indicator to indicate that tool probe. LOL just kidding :D How do you like the tool probe? Accuracy? Repeatability? Durability? I'm using a similar probe at work and if I put in a brand new let's say .500 Diameter 4 flute end mill it measures out around .4978ish even after I indicate and calibrate the tool probe. So I'm guessing the repeatability of my mill is some place in the range of +/- .0005 which isn't too bad for a 20 year old mill with a lot of hours. Would that be an accurate statement? Good job! -Dan

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

I did go back and check it with a tenth indicator, it was within 0.0002 ;) I love the tool setter, really saves a LOT of time and it is extremely accurate.

[@luke1811]

Hey! What do you do for a living?

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Luke, My official title is "Systems Architect" I mainly do software, I also do electronic design, control systems, little bit of mechanical, hydraulics, and pneumatics. Oh, and machining on the side ;)

[@luke1811]

Oh cool. I really admire your general knowledge of how things work. I am in love with CNC, but have little to no knowledge about software, programming, electronics and G-Code. Sometimes it's interesting, sometimes not. It's frustrating to me.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Thanks, I have many weaknesses though, English makes no sense to me. I'm going to try to make more videos on electronics and G code. People seem to like my teaching style, at least in the comments.

[@mahfuzmurad7]

Do you work for Renishaw

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

No, not affiliated in anyway as of right now.

[@mahfuzmurad7]

At-Man Unlimited Machining I am doing a project for them and I can ask others for help so could you maybe help?

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Your more then welcome to send me an email and I'll see what I can do. Address is in the video description

[@mahfuzmurad7]

At-Man Unlimited Machining thnx

[@TheBaconKing32]

Ok so I have one of these and I hate it. It's so delicate and I have had the tip break off from flying chips all the time. Does anyone else have this issue?

[@JP-kk5vw]

I like it! (Until something goes wrong and the probe gets crushed) Nice job At-Man!

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

To error is human, to really screw things up requires a computer! Not only can you break the probe, but you can smash the tool into the table as well.

[@JP-kk5vw]

I love the computer line/joke! Have to remember that one.

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

Proven Fact! I do a lot of R&D work, all of our most spectacular failures required a computer of some type.

[@sandraegomurwani5475]

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