Touch off method with renishaw tool setter

Hello,

We have a tool setter on a 3-axis mill. Normally, to use a tool setter, here are the steps needed:

1) use a master tool, entered the known length to the tool length offset registry and perform calibration
2) measure other tools. The measurement result will be the "physical length" of the the tool
3) use a way to find the program zero position in machine coordinate system and enter the value to G54 (or G55 G56...) Z registry

When we use the touch off method, here is what we do,

1) touch off the tools needed to be used for machining on the part. Input the current machine coordinate readout to the tool length registry
2) set the Z registry in G54 to be zero.

Since the touch off method is more familiar to the operators, I would like to know is it possible to use the tool setter to perform such task without having to calibrate the tool setter everytime when a new part is loaded.

Thanks in advance
Steph

What kind of mill? Did it come with factory installed tool setter and probing system like the "WIPS" package on a Haas?

It is nothing fancy. Just a standard 3-axis vertical milling center with FANUC 0i.

But a renihsaw tool setter has been added on to the machine

Do you have a probe as well, or only a tool setter?

No, there isn't a probe there. Just a tool setter.

Referencing back to your original post: as long as you use your "reference tool" (dowel pin, etc) and find the distance between your tool setter trigger point and the top of your part, and put that value into your G54 Z register, you'll be good to go.

In other words, check your dowel pin tool on the tool setter once. Then put that value into the offset register for that tool. Now if you take that same dowel pin tool and touch off on the tool setter, it should measure the length at ZERO, correct? So… now take that same dowel pin tool and touch the top of your part — you will see a positive value on your display (assuming your part is “higher” than your tool setter). Put that number/value into your G54 Z register. You have now effectively moved the zero point of all your tools from the trigger point on your tool setter to the top of your part.

Fire away if you have questions.

PM