Tree Journeyman 425 mill retrofit

[martyscncgarage]

First, thank you all for your help. This is obviously new to me and seriously kicking my arse. I won't get to the machine until this evening. I do follow machine zero vs part/WCS zero. I use WCS on my router for many different setups.

To make sure I know how to do this, this evening.. Machine Y0 is with the saddle all the way toward me (the operator), away from the column, like in the video. Machine X0 is with the table all the way to the left, like in the beginning of the video? aka.. I currently have the X axis backwards?

For the life of me "picture the tool going through the workpiece" is not helping me figure this out. I just need get it right, move on and learn from there.

Nope.
Saddle and table all the way toward you is Y+
Saddle and table all the way AWAY from you is Y-

You have to quit thinking about the table and think about the cutter/Spindle. You also have to differentiate between Machine HOME and PART Zero.
Can't set Part Zero with out homing the machine so it has its datum points.

Maybe this YouTube video will help:

[slodat]

I understand the concept of machine zero vs wcs. What I don’t know is where the table is at X0 Y0 machine coordinates so I can setup and commission my control to standards. It’s ok with me if I’m using table location to learn this. The language that is used for this is tricky and seems to be inconsistent, which is why I’m asking where the table should be at machine X0 Y0.

Is there a photo that anyone knows of showing knee milling machine table at machine X0 Y0?

[martyscncgarage]

He discusses that in the video....did you watch it all the way through?

Suggest you spend some time with the Mill Operator's Manual:
https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... -v4.14.pdf

[slodat]

Trying to figure this out. I’ve read the mill operator’s manual and the AllIn1DC manual. Is my sketch correct?

I did watch the whole video.

[cncsnw]

You have the table position correct for the most common scenario: homing X-, Y+. If you look at the "home not set" graphic on the CNC12 screen when you first start up, it will show a knee mill in just that condition.

Your sketch would be more accurate if you marked "X0 Y0" at the back left corner of the table. Note that, with the table as drawn (saddle all the way forward at the Y+ limit of travel) there is nowhere to go except Y-.

Perhaps it would be better still to mark machine "X0 Y0" under the spindle (X halfway across the knee, Y at the back edge of the table). Then it would be more obvious that all of the usable work envelope on the table is to the right and front (X+ and Y-) of that corner position.

[slodat]

You have the table position correct for the most common scenario: homing X-, Y+. If you look at the "home not set" graphic on the CNC12 screen when you first start up, it will show a knee mill in just that condition.

I'm starting to understand where my confusion is. When you say that table position is X-, Y+.. that's what doesn't make sense to me. Why isn't this the Y-?? The right hand rule referenced above would be Y-, I thought. The way I was starting to understand this, the cutter would only be able to move through the material in the Y+ and X+ (machine coordinates) from that position in the sketch above. It feels like the Y axis is not being reversed in the same way the X is to translate table movement into cutter movement through the material.

Your sketch would be more accurate if you marked "X0 Y0" at the back left corner of the table. Note that, with the table as drawn (saddle all the way forward at the Y+ limit of travel) there is nowhere to go except Y-.

Perhaps it would be better still to mark machine "X0 Y0" under the spindle (X halfway across the knee, Y at the back edge of the table). Then it would be more obvious that all of the usable work envelope on the table is to the right and front (X+ and Y-) of that corner position.

I don't have a home or limit switch in the middle of the travel. I have one at each end of travel for all three axis. I'm not seeing how travel from that point would be Y-. It looks like it would be Y+ to me.

I still have no idea how to set this up. Is there a sketch or something anywhere that says where the following should be for a typical knee mill setup?

• X- limit position on table (left or right end).
• Y- limit position on table (toward operator or toward column).
• X home switch position (left or right end of table).
• Y home switch position (toward operator or toward column).
• direction to home toward home switch in X
• direction to home toward home switch in Y
• correct direction of table movement for X+ button press on VCP
• correct direction of table movement for Y+ button press on VCP

[martyscncgarage]

I have a quickie video uploading showing my machine homing and roughly setting part zero. I also point out where my XY limit switches are and their trippers.

It will be done in about 45 minutes. I hope it helps and doesn't confuse you. My switches are also in the middle of their travels but actually have TWO switches with in the switch body. The trippers or dogs are on each end (+/-) of the axis.

I hope it helps and doesn't further confuse you.
I'll post a link shortly...

Marty

[slodat]

Saddle and table all the way toward you is Y+
Saddle and table all the way AWAY from you is Y-

Ok. Same question for the X axis and I think I'm good to go!

[martyscncgarage]

YouTube is so slow....
Please be patient. I think I answer all your questions in the video....
Table all the way right(Spindle on the left side X-)
Table all the way left (spindle on the right size X+)

Make sure your limit switches are setup correctly...do setup your soft limits too.

Marty

[martyscncgarage]

Here is my quickie video. I hope it helps and doesn't confuse