I have a Haas Super Mini Mill, and I have a Renishaw probe (but no tool setter in the machine).
Here is what I do: Using one of these ---->
Pro Touch Off Gage 4- - Edge Technology ..... I set all my tools. Then I run down the tool table in the control and subtract 4" from all the values I just set. This sets all my tools to the table. Then, I keep my probe in the last pocket of the tool changer, and I have the "tool length" for that pocket/tool set to the probe length. So if I were to probe the table in Z, I get a value of 0 (zero).
Now... all I need to do is probe my part, or blank, or parallel, or vise jaw in Z, and that positive value (table surface "up" to what I just probed) gets shoved into G54 Z offset value (a positive number). Essentially, all my tool offsets have now been shifted to the point I just probed.
This system works very well (for me), and it keeps everything very simple: Tool lengths are set to the table (which NEVER changes), and G54-Z value is the distance from the table up to the origin of my part. A quick check from the table to the work offset point on the part using a 6" scale verifies that the G54-Z work offset in the control is where it should be.
It usually takes me about 15 seconds per tool to set the tool lengths, and maybe 30 seconds to subtract 4" from all the tool length values, and maybe a minute or two to probe in X, Y and Z.
Works for me.
And for what it's worth, I run a VF2 at a college where I volunteer, and it has the full Renishaw package on it. Yes... the tool setter is very slick because diameters can be checked, code can be inserted into a program to check for a broken tool, etc. But... for a basic, straightforward setup, I can set up tools and probe using my method on my SMM way faster than I can with the tool setter on the VF2. It's also simpler to verify that the Z offset value is correct because the "
scale from the table" method is easier to eyeball than trying to guess where the top pad of that tool setter is.
fwiw....
PM