Fadal 15XT Tool Setting Issue

[Ghoastrider]

In the past I would go to the UT page and select Tool Setting. I would touch off the top of the parts Z axis and then hit the Manual button and exit out of the UT page. At that time my tool offset would be set and the machine knew the top of the part was my ZERO. I am having an issue with that same Tool setting step. Today when I touched off the top of the part, the offset was different, it tried to drive the tool though the table. It is using the tool change Z position as zero? What changed, how can I fix this?

 

[T_Dubs]

Did you ever get this sorted? I meant to respond last week and forgot...

 

[Ghoastrider]

Did you ever get this sorted? I meant to respond last week and forgot...

Yes, for some reason the machine would not reset the tool heights with the same program that had been loaded in it. I ended up shutting the machine off and reloading the program and then it acted normal and accepted the new tool offsets. I have no idea why it would not take the tool offsets that I was resetting without having to reboot the machine and reload the program, that was a first. Anyway, thank you for replying.

 

[T_Dubs]

Interesting. Wasn't sure I could help, but I was gonna suggest my fixture/tool setting method.

I set all of my tools to my table so they never change until I break a tool, ha. Then I set my part/fixture offset once and I'm good to go. You can use any tool, but I use a haimer as tool 1. To get the offset height, go to MDI, g90g0z12.0h1. Them job down, record the z height, then from command mode, do, new value and input the z height.

The 12.0 z height to start is an arbitrary number that can be whatever as one as its higher than the fixture offset. H1 gives you a z reading with tool 1 length calculated with it.

Sorry if it's redundant, but it's how I do it and I couldn't imagine setting all my tools to each part.

 

[Ghoastrider]

You are way more advanced than I am. I have never adjusted a tool Offset during a program. I always reset the tool heights and the add or remove the distance I need by adjusting the tool height up or down. What you are suggesting sounds like a good method. however, I may need to learn a bit more before I try that. I am self taut and understand the basics only. I may try your method with a friend over that understands it better than me. Thanks for the info and the response.

 

[T_Dubs]

It's pretty simple, I'm self taught as well, maybe I could take a quick video tomorrow to explain it better than what I can type.

 

[Ghoastrider]

Any help and new information about operating my machine is always appreciated.

 

[atex57]

I use the same system as T_Dubs. Set your tools Z once from the table and set your workpiece Z zero in the fixture offsets. Found it on Youtube. I always set E1 to all zeros and use the rest for the fixtures or the vise.

Ed.

 

[T_Dubs]

Sorry it took so long, I kept forgetting. But here is a quick video of how I set fixture offsets on my Fadal. I set all of my tools to the table, including my Haimer. Then when I load a new part, I find X and Y like normal, then set Z like the video shows and I don't have to set anything else. Hope this helps or makes things simpler if you decide to use.

Quick note, in the video, I use G0Z12.0H1 to start, 12 inches is just an arbitrary number, just so long as you know it is higher than your part, you can use any number.

 

[Ghoastrider]

The video was helpful. Thanks for taking the time to post.

Phil