4.

0 - Coordinate Systems
2011 Autodesk

Lesson contents
4.1 Cartesian Coordinate System
4.2 Vertical Milling Center (VMC) motion
4.3 Work Coordinate System (WCS)
4.4 Machine & Tool Offsets

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objectives

Identify element of Cartesian coordinate system.

List the axes and motion of the movable parts of a Vertical
Machining Center (VMC).
List the major elements of a closed-loop servo control mechanism.
Explain Home Position and how it is found.
Explain the purpose of the Work Coordinate System (WCS) and
considerations for its selection.

2011 Autodesk

objectives
Explain the purpose and Fixture and Tool Length Offsets (TLO).
Describe how and why a part should be properly rotated in a vise
to machine different surfaces.
Describe how to use a 1-2-3 block to set the TLO.
List the two systems of units used by a CNC.

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4.1 Cartesian coordinate system

Number Line is basic element.

A Line marked at equal intervals.

One point on line marked as Origin (Datum).
Numbers one side (+) and other side (-).

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3D Cartesian coordinate system

Three numbers lines at right
angles.
Labeled and oriented as
shown on VMC.

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quadrants
Shown looking down from
machine spindle.
Part often in Q4 for vise
work-holding.

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Units

In United States:

Most tools in Inch units.

Most machinists familiar with Inch units.
Before programming:

Convert model to Inch units (Units setting in SolidWorks).

Program using Inch tools.

2011 Autodesk

Except for Metric-specific features (Taps, tap drills, etc).

Table 1: Units and Precision

Units
Inch.
Metric (mm).
HSMWorks uses the system of units SolidWorks is set to.

Units and Maximum CNC Precision

Data Type
Coordinat
e
Speed
Feed
Tap Feed

Inch Units
inches
.0001
rev/min
in/min
in/min

Table 1: Units and Precision

2011 Autodesk

1.
1.
.001

Metric Units
mm
.001
rev/min
mm/min
mm/min

1.
1.
.01

4.2 - vmc Machine motion

Column (Z).
Table (XY).

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Closed loop servo control

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CNC Machine coordinates

Machine at Home
Position.
Always think in terms of
Tool Motion
not
Table Motion.

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4.3 - Work coordinate system (wcs)

Contains shift values (deltaX, deltaY, deltaZ) from Machine Home to
CNC Program Datum.
Allows program to be written before machine/part are set up.

Before part location on machine is precisely known.

Allows CNC program coordinate values to be smaller and in terms of

part, not machine.

2011 Autodesk

WCS selection
A point on part, stock, or fixture.
Can be same as CAD datum (or not).
Able to be found precisely by mechanical means.

Edge finder

Coaxial indicator

Finds edges.
Finds centers.

Part probe

Finds edges or centers.

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WCS selection
Locate with high precision (+/- .001in).
Repeatable:

Does not move.

New parts loaded must be placed the same.

Take into account how part is rotated for machining multiple

sides.

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WCS Example
Job: A unique machining setup.
Each time the part is moved or rotated on the machine is a new Job.
Each Job can have its own Fixture Offset.
Assign as follows:

Job 1 = G54 (most common)

Job 2 = G55
Job 3 = G56
Etc.

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WCS Example: Job 1

Job 1 usually sets G54 off back-left corner of stock.

It is easy to locate.
It is repeatable: against fixed jaw and vise stop.

Make sure in CAD/CAM enough stock is left all around part so tool
finish passes remove material.

Saw cut stock is usually +/-.05in tolerance or more.

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WCS Examples: Job 1

G54.
Datum: Back-Left Stock Corner.

Fixed jaw sets Y0.

Vise Stop sets X0.

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Wcs example: Job 2

G54 (Datum did not shift, so can use
same offset).
Datum: Back-Left Stock Corner.
Rotate about Y-axis.
Keeps Y0 (X-Z Plane) against fixed
vise jaw.

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Wcs example: job 3

G55.
Datum: Back-Left Stock
Corner
Rotate about Y-Axis
again.

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4.4 - Machine & Tool offsets

Tool Offsets (H1, H2, H3, etc).

Fixture Offsets (G54, G55, G56, etc).

Compensate for varying tool lengths.

Compensate for distance from machine home to CNC program
datum.

Diameter Offsets (D1, D2, D3, etc).

Account for tool diameter wear.

Covered in Lesson 5.

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Fixture Offset XY
Delta-X | Delta-Y
Machine Home to CNC
Program Datum.

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Fixture offset xy (plan view)

G54 XY Shown.
G54-G59 Available.
Shift values stored in memory
registers on CNC control.

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Fixture offset z
May or may not be used, depending on how machine is set up
and used.
See Lesson 6 and Appendix E for more detailed information.

*There are many ways to use Fixture Offset Z and TLO. This works well and is consistent with
machines
with Tool Probes. Please see Appendix E-Alternate Tool Setting Strategies for other
2011
Autodesk
methods.

Set tool length offset (TLO)

Tool Length Offset is added to Fixture Offset Z to determine
distance of tool to WCS Z-zero.
Three ways to use TLO:

Distance from home to part datum (easiest).

Distance from home to known position, such as top of 1-2-3 block
resting on table (better).
Distance from home to top of Tool probe (best).

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3 Ways to set tool Length offset (Tlo)

1-2-3 Block better than Part Datum.

Tool probe is fastest/easiest method.

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Tool setting probe

Used to automatically set TLO.

Simpler.
Faster.
Safer (no hands in machine).
No 1-2-3 block or dial indicator process.

An option on many machines.

Please refer to CNC user manual on how to
use.

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Summary

CNC based on Cartesian Coordinate System.

Most parts set in Quadrant IV for vise work.
CNC Column controls Z.
CNC Table controls XY.
Think in terms of Tool Tip Motion, not machine motion.
CNC uses closed loop servo control.

2011 Autodesk

summary
Home position: machine position after start and Home sequence.
WCS: The CNC program coordinate System.
Machine offsets:

Fixture Offset XY:

Moves spindle centerline over part datum.

Fixture Offset Z:

Shift Machine Coordinates to Part Coordinates.

Account for varying tool lengths and diameters.

Distance from tool setting position to part datum.

Works with TLO.

TLO:

Compensates for different tool lengths.

2011 Autodesk

Summary

WCS: Must be found by mechanical means, precise, and

repeatable.
WCS-1 (G54): Usually back-left corner of stock.
WCS-2 (G55), WCS-3 (G56), etc.
Rotate part to maintain datum against fixed vise jaw.
CNC Units: Inch or Metric

Usually Inch in U.S.

2011 Autodesk