Water based touchoff?

Question

All,I've had been trying very hard to determine a non-destructive manner toperformz-axis touchoffs with minature end-mills on a CNC vertical mill.  Ijust had a flash of inspiration, in that it seems that using the cutterto complete a low-voltage circuitin a small vessel of water mounted at a known height and filled to aknown height,would give me a highly accurate Z reading without the cutter makingcontact withmetal and then getting broken.Question is this:  would the surface tension of the water grabbing thecutterthrow off the accuracy significantly?Just curious,The Eternal Squire

D Murphy · Accepted Answer

"The Eternal Squire"  wrote in news:    I've been using the gage pin method that someone suggested here a while back. Lay a gage pin down on a known surface then bring the end mill down below the diameter of the pin. Gently hold the pin against the end mill the use the MPG to raise the end mill. When the pin slides under the end mill you know where you are.

Nick Müller · Answer

Question should be how you exactly get the water to the height you want. And next what resolution you expect.

Why not use a height feeler that is made exactly for that purpose. Place it under the mill and feed until die dial shows zero. Add the 50mm (or what) height of the feeler.

Nick

Charlie Gary · Answer

I would be curious to find out how fast the water evaporates on anygiven day.Just how small is "miniature"?     Later,             Charlie

Anthony · Answer

"The Eternal Squire"  wrote in news:    Piece of paper or a cellophane from a cigarette pack works for me, on a rough dial-in. Indicator for getting exact.

Randy Replogle · Answer

Get close with a piece of paper. Turn the spindle on and run the end mill down until it scratches the surface. You may need a magnifying glass. Do it in a place that will be cut away later if finish is important. Randy

Mark Mossberg · Answer

Squire,I've set endmills as small as .005 diameter by rolling a pin under them.With mills this small I use a small dowel pin, .062-.094. It takes a lighttouch, (don't drink the nignt before)Mark

Why · Answer

Don't know Charlie, never checked the toilet .But then he should use a thin piece of paper.

clay · Answer

yes

brewertr · Answer

What size end mills and what method are you using now?

I have been using a Z Axis Setter for a quite a few years now on all tools down to 1/64" diameter mills and sharp point engraving tools and have never had a problem.

http://www.jl> All,

Water based touchoff?

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