Small tool touchoff?

[BenK]

The tools I use range in size from .375" down to .1mm. For all you micro-machining guys what do you use to touchoff your tools?

[#Rekd™]

I measure a larger tool on the machine then take the holders (with the tools in) out and measure the difference with a height gauge.

[TK-32™]

I always use a 1-2-3 block on a very smooth area. Smooth enough that it glides. Minimal drag. The back of the vise is always a good area.

[YoDoug®]

I have done .01" endmills on a Renishaw TS27R before. Never tried one as small as .004, I don't know if it would break it or not.

[BenK]

The two things we are looking at is a Blum nano nt laser or a Zoller presetter. From the people I have been talking to they say the laser doesn't have the accuracy when measuring a tool below .013".

[djstedman]

If your setting something that small. . a good method is a dowel pin of a known size on top of a 2 inch block..

 

Check to see if it stops rather than rolling under .. if it does move up .0001 and try again.. since its rolling its putting out almost no force on the small endmill..

[djstedman]

Oh also.. along the same lines as what Hockey guy said.. you can always touch off another tool then use an indicator in a mag base on the table to find the difference between it and the small tool then plug in your offset

[GoetzInd]

If this is something you do on a regular basis I would look into getting a presetter. We didn't realize we needed one until we got one.

 

Mike

[BenK]

If this is something you do on a regular basis I would look into getting a presetter. We didn't realize we needed one until we got one.

 

Mike

 

Yes I touch off a lot of tools every day. The goal is more spindle time. My company is moving more and more into micro-machining also. I do the gage pin method right now, works great but we are looking for a more automated way of measurement. Management wan't a measuring method that doesn't allow for operator error. Who am I to argue against them buying me a new toy.

[GoetzInd]

You can get a laser but I don't think it will be nearly as accurate or reliable as a good presetter.

 

Mike

[BenK]

I'm leaning in favor of the Zoller but if I need to prove that is accurate enough. I haven't been able to find any information on the accuracy of a Zoller and the Blum nano they only tell you the repeatability.

[GoetzInd]

We've got an Elbo Controli and it's a couple tenths even without power clamping. I would look at parlec too.

 

Mike

[cincy k]

Just installed a Zoller here. Sweet piece of equipment! I use stuff down to .005" and it's no issue at all. It's also extremely quick and can be done while a current job is running. Just push your tool down (CAT 40 here) slightly in the presetter spindle the same every time and your with a tenth or two.

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

The two things we are looking at is a Blum

 

We have both Renishaw and Blum probes here. Out of the box they're about equivalent, but after dealing with Blum support we're switching to all Renishaw.

[GoetzInd]

No experience with Blum but Renishaw support has been great for us. Even had a guy come out and help trouble shoot on and ooolldd probe no charge or questions asked.

 

Mike

[Redfire427]

We have Blum lasers on our Makino's and Mikron's and can measure tools down to .008" diameter with an accuracy of .0002" with no problem.

 

Carmen

[jfranya]

We use Zoeller in our shop. Pretty neat piece of equipment. Lots of features for setting different types and shapes of tools. Ours even has a database to keep track which tools are at which machines. Haven't really used it, though.

[BrianP.]

 

I have used these at a few different places. If you do not have a probing system these are the next best thing. Will pay for itself in a short time for those of you still using blocks, pins and shim stock. Will cut down on touch off times. A few different styles and price ranges. Just google tool height setters. Do small tools all the time.

[left coast lefty]

 

I have used these at a few different places. If you do not have a probing system these are the next best thing. Will pay for itself in a short time for those of you still using blocks, pins and shim stock. Will cut down on touch off times. A few different styles and price ranges. Just google tool height setters. Do small tools all the time.

 

+1000

 

I use this thing almost every day. It is accurate to a couple of tenths. Just make sure the batteries are good.

[P B]

We use base masters and touch probes (Big brand) on all our machines that don't have on-board measuring. I set the touch probe as zero and measure all tools relative to it, then you don't have to remeasure for each job, and drills taps etc. that live in machine are always good to go. More accurate than the machine (0.001mm)

Got sick of touching (and chipping) real quick

Use down to 0.3mm ballend

[Johnny M]

We use these on our machines, no need for batteries.

 

[Bob W.]

I have a laser in my machine and wish I had a presetter. Either way I would not go without some sort of tool setter in the machine because they are very useful for break detection. Even if I get a presetter someday I will still use my laser on a daily basis.

[GoetzInd]

I have a laser in my machine and wish I had a presetter. Either way I would not go without some sort of tool setter in the machine because they are very useful for break detection.

 

+1 That is all we use our Renishaw lasers and TRS27's for. Too many errors or mis readings to use for setting tools. The presetter is a lot more accurate and allows you to check for things like runout and tool wear very easily. The nice ones can also interface with tool management.

 

Mike