In this video, we will show you how to use the
automatic tool presetter option for Haas CNC turning centers
The automatic tool presetter offers three modes of operation:
Manual mode is used for initial setup of tool offsets
Automatic mode is used to update offset values after a tool’s inserts have been changed
And break detect mode is used to check the cutting face using a pre-set tolerance for tool wear
To start, press the [MDI DNC] button
and then Program Conversational [PRGRM CONVRS] to reach the tabbed menu
Right cursor to the "Probe" tab and press [WRITE / ENTER]
This brings up the "Probe" menu in manual mode
This turret holds five tools that have no existing offset data
Let’s start in Manual mode to generate the necessary data for each tool
Check that "Manual" is selected in the "OP Mode" box
The turret is at tool position number 12
and therefore the "Tool Number" box reads "12"
This box will always display the current turret tool position
Enter the offset number you would like to use for this tool
There are 50 offset numbers available
but typically the offset number is set the same as the tool number
Next, set the value for "Tool Tip Direction"
based on the configuration of the tool you're setting
In this case we are checking a turning insert with its tip in the number 2 direction
We can’t enter a value in the "Tolerance" box
since we only use that in Break Detect Mode
With the turret a safe distance away
move the probe arm into position by pressing [F1]
With the data entered for tool number 12
you’re ready to check the tool position
Handle jog the tool in Z and X until it is approximately
One quarter inch (0.25", 6.35mm) diagonally away from the edge of the probe
Similar to the image displayed in the tool tip direction graphic
If the operator door is open you will need to hold down [CYCLE START] to continue with the touch off cycle
Or, with the door closed, press [CYCLE START]
The tool tip will touch off in the Z and X directions and record the offsets
Note that a G-code program is generated in "MDI" which is used for the tool movement
With the first tool set, move the turret a safe distance
from the probe arm, and index to the next tool
Continue on to set the remaining offsets
When you are finished setting the offsets for all your tools
Don’t forget to press [F1] to bring the probe arm back to its resting position
With the tools now set, you still need to define your work offset
Start by selecting the desired Z work offset
We are using G54
Using any of the tools you’ve already probed
touch the tool to the part face and press [Z FACE MEASURE]
The distance from the tool probe to the face of the part is loaded in G54, and Z work zero is now set
Once a tool offset has been set in "Manual" mode
You can update the tool tip position at any time an insert is changed out
Here is how:
Access the "Probe" menu and select "Automatic" from the "OP Mode" box
Arrow down to select the tool number you want to check
With the tool number and offset selected, press [CYCLE START]
The turret will index to the tool selected in the "Tool Number" box
and bring the tool to the probe and check the offsets
Repeat this automatic sequence for each tool that needs to be updated
"Break Detect" mode allows you to measure the difference between
the initial probe reading for a particular tool insert
and subsequent readings after wear or damage may have occurred
The tolerance setting in this mode establishes
the allowable wear on a given cutting edge
Select Op Mode "Break Detect"
and the tool number and offset number you used
Now select a tolerance for wear on this particular insert
In this example, we have set this value to 0.004" (0.1016mm)
When the operator presses [CYCLE START] the turret will index
to the tool we have entered in the Tool Number box
and the turret will move to the probe and check the insert
If the insert is not within the tolerance set earlier, an alarm will announce
that you have a cutting edge that is no longer within specification
When you run break detect mode, a program is generated in "MDI"
If you paste this into a part program in memory, you will have added
that particular break detect routine to a your program so that
critical tools are measured before they are used
The "Break Detect" routine is automatically generated
in the upper left side of the "MDI" screen
and is ready to be pasted into a part program
To insert this sub-routine into a part program, start by pressing [F4]
Choose number one, “Select / Create Program”
Find the program you want to modify
Now, simply scroll to the area of the G-code where you want to insert the sub-routine
And press [WRITE / ENTER]
Here is a quick demonstration of the break detect routine
running within our existing part program
The part program is just ending a drilling operation
Before continuing to a tight tolerance boring operation
the machine will now automatically check
that the next tool's insert is within size tolerance
This is particularly useful for checking tools before critical operations
With these three probing modes at your disposal
Inputting and checking tool offsets and checking for excessive tool wear
Making good parts should get significantly easier
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