Setting the G54 Work Coordinate For the Spindle
This procedure will go over setting the G54 work coordinate for the Spindle. Please select below if you are doing this in fanuc or AGMVP.
What’s the difference between the Absolute, Relative, & Machine coordinate systems?
These three coordinate systems each provide a different grid to track the machine's movements. Each has a different point of reference, or origin.
Absolute
With the absolute coordinate system (shown on the absolute position display screen), the origin is the currently active program zero point. If fixture offset number one (G54P01) is active, then the absolute position display will show how far each axis is from the program zero point specified by fixture offset number one. (Keep in mind the fixture offset is telling the control where the program zero is in accordance to the Machine Coordinate) This is often helpful when verifying CNC programs - you can tell from this display the tool's location relative to program zero.
Relative
This coordinate system allows you to set your own point of reference. It is most commonly used when taking measurements on the machine. With this display screen page, you can reset (set to zero) or preset (set to a specific value) the axis display registers. One example of when this display screen is needed is when measuring tool length compensation values on machining centers. During this procedure, you bring the spindle nose to a flat surface and then zero the Z axis register value (on the relative display screen page). After loading a tool, you bring the tool tip to the same surface. At this point the Z axis register of the relative page will show you the tool's length.
Machine
The origin of the machine coordinate system is the machine's zero return position - so this display screen page will always show you how far each axis is from the zero return position. When the machine is at the zero return position these values will be zero.
NOTES:
*Anderson routers designed for nested based processing are calibrated at the time of production so that the Machine and Absolute coordinate will coincide, aligning to the built in datum pins for material placement. The optional loading systems also assume the machine zero to be the program zero.
*Changinging the work coordinates (G54, Etc.) will not change the machine reference or "Home" position. This will only adjust the program (or Absolute) zero point.