B505 Zero points, work offset and reference
point
1 Brief description
Objective of the module:
In this module you learn to use the various zero points within the working space of a Turning ma-
chine.
Description of the module:
This module describes the call-up of individual work piece zero points on the work piece with
reference to various starting conditions.
Content:
Position of the machine zero point
Zero point offset G54
Further zero point offsets
Further zero point offsets
Summary
828D/840Dsl SINUMERIK Operate
This document was produced for training purposes.
828D/840Dsl SINUMERIK Operate Page 1 Siemens assumes no responsibility for its contents.
B505
B505
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B505
Zero offsets and reference points: Description
Zero offsets and
reference points:
This module describes the call-up of individual START
work piece zero points on the work piece with ref-
erence to various starting conditions.
Position of the
machine zero
point
Zero point
offset G54
Further zero
point offsets
Further zero
point offsets
Summary
Zero offsets and
reference points:
END
Notes
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Section 2 Position of the machine zero point
Notes
All axis motions on a CNC-machine tool are referred to the right-hand
Cartesian coordinate system.
Note:
See also module B502 - “Geometry basics”.
The entire path measuring system is initialized by approaching the refer-
ence point with all axes.
At the same time the control unit activates the coordinate system at the
machine zero point.
M Machine zero point
This fixed coordinate point (origin) is determined by the manufacturer and
cannot be altered by the operator.
It serves as a reference point for the machine coordinate system (MCS) of
the machine tool.
X
Axis denominations:
Planar axis X
(Ordinate)
Z
M
Longitudinal axis Z
(Abscissa)
For reasons of design this machine zero point on turning machines is lo-
cated exactly on the rotational axis on the right hand planar face of the
spindle flange (see image above).
Hence this point cannot be reached during machining of the work piece.
However machine zero point cannot be ignored and it is this point which
serves as a reference to all other points in a working plan or work space
inside the machine.
This point can be used for example to approach a certain workpiece inde-
pendent fix points within a workpiece program
(see section 4 in this module).
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Zero point offset G54 Section 3
Notes
For machining the work piece the work piece coordinate system (WCS) is
available on the machine.
This can be freely chosen by the operator depending on the manufacturing
conditions or according to the usual workshop practice.
By this the machine zero point is offset by a defined distance, thus obtain-
ing a work piece zero point that is directly referred to the item to be ma-
chined.
W Workpiece zero point
Zero point offset Code G54 (modally active)
With this code the work piece zero point can be defined on the machine.
The following image shows how by programming G54 the position of the
work piece zero point has been shifted to the right hand planar face of the
turned item.
Finished planar face of the
work piece.
(Work piece coordinates
along the longitudinal axis are
W to be programmed in negative
direction)
The zero point on the machine is set in JOG mode and is activated in the
program with G54.
By this the coordinate origin for the program and the machine zero point
coordinate are now identical.
Programming example: Explanation:
N10 G18 G54 ... Plane selection, call-up of the
zero point offset G54
N20 G00 X200 Z300 Approach to the tool change point
N30 T1; Roughing tool Call-up of the tool T1
...
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Section 4 Further zero point offsets
Notes
For the efficient production of parts it is often sensible to provide several
work piece zero points.
The control unit manufacturer provides for up to 99 selectable zero point
offsets.
Note:
Depending on the machine parameters this number can be set differently.
Please refer to the machines manual regarding the exact number of avail-
able zero points.
Further zero point offsets Codes G55, G56 and G57
Codes G505 to G599
(all stated codes are
modally active)
The application example indicates the use of yet another zero point located
on the setting plane of the chuck.
In the picture below the work piece zero point has been transferred with
G55 exactly to the setting plane of the chuck jaws.
In the program this must be activated by means of the code G55.
Setting face of the chuck jaws.
The left planar face of the work
piece is already machined.
W (All work piece coordinates of the
longitudinal axis must be pro-
grammed in the positive direction)
The use of several zero point offsets can substantially reduce the setting
times particularly in cases of one-off or small series machining.
For example: You could define just once a specific setting point for each
one of your clamping fixtures or else a specific work piece zero point for
various work pieces.
In the program the respective zero point offset depending on the clamping
fixture or the work piece can then be selected.
If an identical work piece is to be machined at a later time, the respective
zero point is immediately available under the same code.
Important:
Zero point offset instructions or commands are modal commands, that
means once executed they remain active until they are deactivated with
different set of commands.
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Tool changing point Section 5
Notes
The indexing of the tool turret must always take place at a collision-proof
point within the work space of the turning machine.
For this the tool carrier is generally retracted well back into the positive
range of the work space (Please take into account the real traverse ranges
of your machine; the values used in the example are only exemplary!).
Programming example 1: Explanation:
N10 G18 G54 ...
N20 G00 X300 Z150 Approach of the tool changing point,
N30 T1; Roughing tool Indexing the turret to position T1
...
On this basis the tool carrier will traverse to various positions depending on
the active tool length (in X and Z) and the position of the work piece zero
point (It is always the tool tip that is being positioned).
Pos. X
Pos. Z
Attention:
In case the next tool is going to be for instance a long boring bar, the tool
carrier must be repositioned along the longitudinal axis further away from
the work piece.
Otherwise there might be a danger of collision during the tool
change!
On the next page a suggestion for the programming of an independent tool
changing point can be found.
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Section 5 Tool changing point
Notes
In order to approach a tool changing point that is independent of the length
of the tool and the presently active zero point offset, the following condi-
tions must be programmed:
Switching OFF of all the active offsets
or manipulations of the coordinate system Command SUPA
(operative block-by-
block)
Deactivation of the tool lengths in X and Z Command D0
(modally active)
Programming example 2: Explanation:
N10 G18 G54 ...
N20 G00 X400 Z500 SUPA D0 Approach of tool changing point in the
MCS, without tool data
N30 T1; Roughing tool Indexing the turret to position T1
N40 D1 Call-up of the tool data for T1
…
Pos. X
M W
Pos. Z
Since by using the code SUPA any manipulations of the coordinate system
have been deactivated only for the programmed block, they do not need to
be reactivated.
But care must be taken, because after each tool change the required cut-
ting edge must be called up again.
Note:
The extent of programming for the approach of the tool changing point can
be reduced if for this purpose a subprogram is written (see Section 5 in this
module).
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Summary Section 6
Notes
Suggestion of a subprogram for tool changing:
Subprogram name: SUBR100.SPF
N10 G18 G00 X300 Z500 SUPA G40 D0; Approach of tool changing
point in the turning plane,
zero point offsets OFF,
all tool corrections OFF
N20 RET; Return to the main program,
with out interruption of the
feed motion.
Explanation of the symbols
M Machine zero point
W Work piece zero point
MCS Machine coordinate system
WCS Work piece coordinate system
Instruction Meaning
G54 to G57 Call-up of a selectable zero point offset *
G505 to G599 Call-up of further zero point offsets *
(conditionally available)
D0 Deactivation of the tool dimensions *
D1- D9 Reactivation of the tool dimensions after the tool
change *
SUPA Switching-OFF of programmable, selectable and ex-
ternal offsets **
RET End of subprogram, return jump
* Modally active instruction
** Instruction active block-by-block
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