I agree with the below comment, great videos Pat....keep it up...these SMX application videos are way overdue.... I too had issues on my SMX while learning this, with reference and Z zero....this makes it easy.... also it's time to put the "reference with the quill" setup trick in the manual!... (Section 11.1.3) that would be way easier and frees up a tool holder. You guys make great machines, but the documentation and educational promo could use a little boost so people know what these machines can do. Hopefully we can also see some future videos using Solidworks/Camworks with the TRAK millls where they really can use their full capabilities etc... Thanks for your efforts!
I set my reference as tool 1 on the top of the part then I set my Z Zero at the same time on the top of the part. Then I set each additional tool in order on the top of the part as well. That way I can watch the absolute numbers and tell how close my tools are to the material and how deep they must go. It's easier that way for me. It just my personal preference. As I taught myself how to program and set this machine up for jobs. I had no training. I'm self taught. However I can see that there is a benefit the way you set your reference point. Nice video
That works too however, if you break your first tool or remove your piece part, you've lost your reference point. The absolute numbers will be correct no matter which way you do it. Once the tool offsets are set, you can go to DRO and use any part as your Z zero and all the tools will follow. It sounds to me like you're still a little confused between tool set-up and part Z zero. They are completely different things but many people struggle with understanding this. Let me know if this method clears it up for you. T.P.
How about setting up the tool offsets on a K3 knee mill with 3 axis control? Very difficult to machine any parts that require both milling and drilling as the quill travel is so limited and the knee movement does not register with the SMX Z DRO. Any tips or tricks on how to make this an easier application besides having to crank the knee down for drilling and up for milling and making sure that the backlash in the knee is always on the correct side since it is all referenced off of the knee crank handle. I think this is my biggest complaint about the machine's usability as a 3 axis CNC
Unfortunately, you are correct about everything you wrote here. The 3-axis knee mills are very limited due to the fact that you only have about 4.25" of quill travel. Your only way to do this is as you've described by moving the knee up and down and pay attention to how far you've moved it. What I would suggest is that you break up your programs to only use the tools that will fit. EXAMPLE: Program #1 has all my drilling events. #2 has all my milling events. This way, I don't have to move the knee in the middle of a run. I can vouch for all of the salesmen here at TMT when I say this...every one of us will tell you to buy a bed mill if you need 3-axis. You get 23+ inches of Z travel and this problem goes away. Not to mention that by the time you add all of the same options to a new 3-axis knee mill, you're at the same total cost of a DPM2. I think a 2-axis knee mill is a great tool room machine but when it comes to 3-axis, the bed mills are way better. Most shops have both and for good reason! T.P.
That is correct. All tools are measured from one base reference point. After that, when you take one of your tools and set Z zero on the piece part, all the tools will be transferred to that position. This way, you do not have to reset your tools for every part you make. NOTE: make sure the tool you use to set part zero is the one shown at the top of the DRO screen. T.P.
@patrickfitzsimmons5187 Agreed. Could you please explain an internal hexagon program for 15 mm? I've tried point to point and A G E irregular profile. I know once I see it a giant light bulb will go on but I'm stumped. I'm very thankful for your videos sir
3:40 - If you take tool #3 out, put tool #2 in, tell the machine it's tool #2, *AND* touch tool #2 off to the top of the part as you did with #3, it will still read zero, because it knows the difference between the #3 and #2 offsets...correct?
You just set your zeros in DRO mode. There is only one work offset unless you use multi fixtures and those all come from where you set your first part zero in the DRO mode. T.P.
You just set your zeros in DRO mode. There is only one work offset unless you use multi fixtures and those all come from where you set your first part zero in the DRO mode. T.P.
Yes, as long as that place you use can be accessed at any time. For instance, the table, the back of the vice, a 1-2-3 block. Just don't use the part itself becuase once you take it out, your reference is no longer accessible. T.P.
@@patrickfitzsimmons5187 but if using a tool setter looks like to me it could be set in the air anywhere because the tool setter gives you the numbers needed for tool differences then you zero where the program says ...not 100% sure im new to this but im gonna try it
Actually, the tool table will stay in the machine even after you erase this program so the same tools can be used with another program as well. The machine will dump the tool table when you shut it off but if you reload the previously made program, all the tool info will come back with it. T.P
@@trakingpat2750 What about G Code programs? Just got a machine I'll mostly be programing for 3d work using CAM. First test I've loaded a G code program, only set one tool for a quick test, after shutting the machine off the tool table doesn't seem to reload after reloading the G Code program. I guess I could setup a dummy SMX program just to setup and reload the tool table?
@@hughestooling The easiest way to make the machine remember the tools is to make a dummy program and save it. Then, you can open this program first to get your tools loaded. When you bring in a new program or erase any program, the tools will stay in the set-up mode until you shut it off. T.P.
@@trakingpat2750 Thanks, I've been experimenting and came to the same idea of using a dummy program. Only gotcha I ran into is if you need to reset or add a tool you need to reload the dummy program first, then add the tool and save the dummy file again before going back to any program you were running.
Hello, I think I answered this on a different video but just to clarify, after you finish setting up your tools, the last tool will already be in the spindle and the DRO so it makes sense to use that tool to set your part zero in the DRO mode. In reality, you can use any tool from your program as long as you call up that tool in DRO before you touch it off the part. T.P.
Actually , I didn't understood why I will loose the tool offsets if I use the surface of o part. I mean the length deference between the Ref point and the rest of the tools will be the same even if I set them on the vise , a 123 block or........ the surface I will machine. No?
Ismael, we can do a video on this as well. Please keep in mind that although we can program the ProtoTRAK to contour in the Z axis, it will not know how to rough out the part. The programmed events will only cut the finished geometry. For now, try this... Let's make a 2" diameter sphere with Z zero being the top of the ball and X/Y zero being the center. Use only mills or arcs to do this because profiles do not allow you to move the Z axis. In this case, it will be all arcs. The machine will assume that you are cutting with a ball nose end mill. You will have to keep the tool offset on center. Event #1 Arc XB=-1.0", YB=0", ZB=-1.0, Z Rapid=.050", XE=0", YE=0", ZE=0", XC=0", YC=0",ZC=-1.0. With this event, you can rotate it as many times as needed at whatever degree you choose and if you do it the correct amount of times, you will have the convex half of the sphere. If you reverse the Z dimensions, you'll get the convex sphere. If you use a repeat instead of rotate, you'll get a round edge that you can extend as long as needed. The amount of step over and number of repeats will dictate how long the channel will be. Once you understand this, you can get more creative using multiple events that are connected to each other. The trick is that each time you add another event, the first four questions (XB,YB,ZB,ZR) will be INC SET to make the tool stay at the same place as the previous event. Let me know if this works for you! T.P.
The reference set should be removed. You guys should just make the default reference a machine position zero. That way you can always touch the tools off at the same place and not have to worry about where the reference was initially set. Also when you load a program from in/out the reference point is cleared out which is ridiculous. If I have multiple operations programmed. Simple loading the next operation program shouldn’t remove the reference point from which my tools are set. Prototraks are ok machines but they really need a way to shift your work off set easier. If I face my part and see I need to come down some more I should simply be able to subtract that amount in my z work offset instead you have to jog over the part and touch the tool on top of the part and then re zero your dro. They are okay machines for the average machinist who may not understand g code fully but they are pretty slow to program. Siemens shopmill is a much better conversational programming machine.
Hi Chris, thanks for your input. I am very familiar with how the Siemens control and ShopMill works and I agree with you that it would be great to have a machine home for work offsets however, it isn't really needed for a tool room or prototype machine like ours. Although ShopMill is more capable, it is also more cumbersome and I believe the ProtoTRAK programming is much easier and faster to use. If it makes you happy, soon you will be able to buy TRAK machines with the Siemens control on them too. T.P.
Never use the back of the vise to set your tools. Put an indicator where he just set his tools and tighten up on a part to see how much it moves, this means it is NOT a solid reference point. During a multiple piece job changing out dull/broken tools you'll be wondering why your Z depth is out a couple thou, especially on a non solid vise like the one in video. Plus everyone should just do it anyways so you know how much your particular vise moves under a certain torque if you really want to be a master!
What you're suggesting makes no sense at all. The back of the vise is solid enough to touch off each tool whether you use a dial indicator set-up device or just your hand. There is no reason to tighten or loosen the vise between each tool therefor, it will not be different. If you really want to be precise, then measure each tool length and enter them manually. T.P.
