Can't get Z offsets to work

[wjh308]

It used to work, 100% trouble free. Upgraded CNC12 and now I can only cut air.
I use the Tormach TTS system in my mill and I manually measure each tool including the probe with a surface plate and height gauge.

The probes height is entered along with all the other tools, the probe tool number is set as the reference tool. I've tried param 3 set to 1, and 0. I have accurate homing switches.

Every time I try running a program it cuts air a couple of inches above the work piece. I don't know what changed, this has always worked for me previously. Problem with the manual is that it doesn't cover how I do it. It gets close... There must be a param I need to set or I did something with the Z Ref that is not agreeing with things...

[cncsnw]

What is your method for setting the Z axis part zero location on the stock you are about to cut?

When you are running your program, and the tool is higher than you expected, what "H" value is shown in the status window?

I infer that you are measuring your tools outside the machine, and simply typing in the offset values. With that method, there is no need to designate a Reference Tool, and no need to set Z Reference. The Reference Tool and Z Reference are only for the (more common) procedure of measuring tool height offsets in the machine, using the Z axis.

Once you have your tool height offset values entered, then you need to use one of those tools (or the probe, for which you have also entered a height offset value) to set the Z axis part zero on the F1/Setup -> F1/Part screen. Be sure to enter the correct tool number when you do that.

[wjh308]

I figured it out, but it isn't how I used to do it. I use my probe for setting Z height on the workpiece.
I know what I did wrong, I had some random number set in Zref. Fixed it by making Zref what my probe detected, set the probe height in the offset menu as 0, and each tool the difference from the probe.
You nailed it, I think if I set ZRef to 0 I can go back to how it was.

[wjh308]

Well, still can't get it to work the way I want. The danger of how I am now doing it is if I ever damage my probe, I have to reset all of my tools.

[Ken Rychlik]

If you have a probe, I don't understand the need to measure anything manually. I use a custom macro to measure the distance from the tripped probe to my part zero automatically. Then that measurement is stored and automatically used to measure each tool. This is with a tool measure switch mounted in a fixed spot, so maybe you don't have that option? It just seems you are going about it the hard way.

[suntravel]

Fixed Z Ref with TTO and probe:

https://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=9514

Uwe