I run a Haas TM2 at work. I have now scrapped my seconded part due to a inconvenience between Visual Quick Codes and Programing in CAM. Heres my problem:
Say I use a 1/2" end mill (tool 1) to do a profile on a part using my CAM software (BOBCAD) and have it use G41 cutter compensation. In order for this to work correctly on my mill I have to go into the offsets screen and set its diameter to "0.0000". If I need to comp out .0100" I have to put that in either in the diameter variable or the wear variable as -.0100". Now say I want to do a held circle pocket and I want to use Haas's Visual Quick Codes Circle Pocket G13 template using the same tool as above (1/2" EM tool 1). I put in all the required info and think that I'm "good to go". I press go.... and SCRAP!!!! Damn I forgot my tool's diameter in my offsets was set to "0.0000". The machine thought I was using a 0.0000" tool when really there was a .5000" tool in the spindle. So it started to mill a circle that is way bigger than what I wanted before I could realize the problem and hit 'feed hold!!!". I wish I could keep the actual diameters of my tools in the offset screen instead of having to change them to 0.0000 any time I want to use that tool in CAM software. My question is, are there any settings on this mill to change me from having to do this? Ideally I would think I could setup a new tool using the Renishaw Tool Setter, which saves its actual diameter in the offsets screen. Then be able to leave that data in there even when using cutter comp in CAM or using VCC's. And if my tool wears down I can comp it out in the wear value and leave the diameter value alone. Is there anyway to make that possible???
Say I use a 1/2" end mill (tool 1) to do a profile on a part using my CAM software (BOBCAD) and have it use G41 cutter compensation. In order for this to work correctly on my mill I have to go into the offsets screen and set its diameter to "0.0000". If I need to comp out .0100" I have to put that in either in the diameter variable or the wear variable as -.0100". Now say I want to do a held circle pocket and I want to use Haas's Visual Quick Codes Circle Pocket G13 template using the same tool as above (1/2" EM tool 1). I put in all the required info and think that I'm "good to go". I press go.... and SCRAP!!!! Damn I forgot my tool's diameter in my offsets was set to "0.0000". The machine thought I was using a 0.0000" tool when really there was a .5000" tool in the spindle. So it started to mill a circle that is way bigger than what I wanted before I could realize the problem and hit 'feed hold!!!". I wish I could keep the actual diameters of my tools in the offset screen instead of having to change them to 0.0000 any time I want to use that tool in CAM software. My question is, are there any settings on this mill to change me from having to do this? Ideally I would think I could setup a new tool using the Renishaw Tool Setter, which saves its actual diameter in the offsets screen. Then be able to leave that data in there even when using cutter comp in CAM or using VCC's. And if my tool wears down I can comp it out in the wear value and leave the diameter value alone. Is there anyway to make that possible???