Work Offsets (Haas ST-15Y)
Methods for setting the Z offset
Rough setting
This method is suitable for first operations only, where length accuracy is not a primary consideration.
- Switch to a turning tool, such as T2.
- Bring the tool close to the front face of the material, about a millimeter away from the face
- The tool should be a few millimeters outside the OD of the stock to prevent colliding with the stationary material.
- Slowly bring the tool towards the face of the stock in Z until it is aligned by eye.
- Move the cursor to the appropriate work offset's Z field, and press Z FACE MEASURE on the control panel.
Careful setting
This method is suitable for second operations, or when you need to take a bit more care about material usage. When using this method note that you are always moving away from the stock and not trying to pinch the gauge material between the tool and stock.
Attempting to pinch the gauge rather than moving away from the material could lead to damaging the insert, the material, the gauge, the machine, or all of the above.
Crush Hazard You will be manually moving the machine while working near a potential pinch zone. Be aware of where the machine will move, and use a long gauging pin to keep your hands out of the way. |
You will need a piece of material with a smooth, very consistent outer diameter. It should be long enough that you can hold it without fear of catching your hands in the machine. We have a piece of 12mm material that was centreless ground to a 12.00mm diameter, this is ideal for this purpose.
- Switch to a turning tool, such as T2.
- Bring the tool close to the front face of the material, just a bit less than the diameter of the gauge pin.
- The gauge pin should not fit between the tip of the tool and the face of the work you are attempting to measure.
- Slowly, in a fine jog increment, move the tool away from the work in Z.
- Continue moving away in Z until the gauge pin just slips through. You are now almost exactly one gauge pin diameter away from the front face of the work. Make sure you are keeping the gauge flat on the face of the material.
- Move the cursor to the appropriate work offset's Z field, and press Z FACE MEASURE on the control panel.
- Type the negative key, then the diameter of the gauge pin, then press ENTER. This will subtract the diameter of the gauge pin from the Z offset, moving the origin back to the front face of the material.
- You can make small adjustments to this offset in order to fine tune the length of parts or features.