Tool Changing

[dcrowder]

Possibly a well too many times asked question but my searches only bring up the talk of scripts so please bear with me!

My g-code wanted a tool change so I swapped the tool, went back to the workpiece surface and zeroed the Z axis - restarted Mach3 and the machine went off and started 'cutting' above the surface.

Was my method correct or am I just imagining it should be easier than it is??

Cheers!

[JAZZCNC]

Your method is correct.

Provided you did Zero Z axis and the G-code is correct. Only thing I can think of that would cause this is if you have a tool offset applied in the tool table for that tool #. If your not using spindle with tool holders then all tools in the tool table should be zero.

[dcrowder]

Cheers Jazz, I'm not using a tool table or anything like that - just a plain manual swap by hand and 2 x adjustable spanners. My bits are of different lengths. At least I know the problem isn't with me!

[komatias]

Cheers Jazz, I'm not using a tool table or anything like that - just a plain manual swap by hand and 2 x adjustable spanners. My bits are of different lengths. At least I know the problem isn't with me!

I have had this when playing with some preinstalled tools in a CAM program.

you will need to look through your gcode for the tool length offset call G43 H~ and delete it. Do not delete the M6 call as this is what stops the machine.

If you ever rig up a tool measuring probe and use Mach3 then it is worth looking up Ger21's mach2010 screenset. makes zeroing tool after tool swaps a doddle

[JAZZCNC]

I have had this when playing with some preinstalled tools in a CAM program.

you will need to look through your gcode for the tool length offset call G43 H~ and delete it.

Should only apply the offset if one is set in the tool table. So for instance if calls G43 H1 Z 5 and the #1 offset in tool table is Zero nothing is applied so makes no difference if G43 is there or not.