Proper setup is required when working on a CNC lathe. Since this is a risk of tooling and machine damage, a proper setup is the best way to successfully turn and make parts for production runs or prototyping. By following a thorough, proper setup procedure, you can reduce the risk of tool damage and wasted raw material.
1 Adjust chuck jaws to accommodate raw material. The jaws of the chuck, which hold the material, are usually adjustable with two screws on each jaw. Loosen each screw with the appropriate allen wrench and move each jaw to the required spot to allow the clamping force to hold the material without crushing it.
2 Insert tooling required for the job. This may include boring bars, drills and insert holders for turning the outside diameters of the raw material. The holders vary in size and shape and are often held in place by screws in the tool turret.
3 Teach each tool with the teaching arm. Slowly move the tip of each tool toward the teaching eye. When it touches that eye, you will usually hear a beep that signifies that the machine control knows where the tip of the tool is located for precision cutting.
4 Set your zero, zero point. This is the starting dimension that will be used for the program to cut the raw material you are using. Bring a previously taught tool to the edge of the raw material and reset each axis, both X and Z to zero. The machine will use this point to base all of the other cutting dimensions.
5 Program the lathe or call up an existing program that is in the machine. Most machines accept G code, which is the most common way of machining any parts in a CNC machine, including lathes. Many machinists use proprietary languages as they are sometimes easier to program on a lathe.
