Slow Down Toolset

[chipclark2000]

I have an AR8 and I've noticed in a lot of videos the when doing the toolset the lowering spindle slows way down just before contacting the touch plate. Mine doesn't and I learned quickly to manually set the Z zero for the pointy fragile bits. But even my end mills are starting to leave tiny pits in the touch plate. Is there a setting that will fix this? 

[johnb]

My AR-16 manual says that this is a factor of the Safe-Z height that's a User-Set parameter in my (Hust) controller. I quote below:

Height of Safe Z (Additional Features) This setting will also affect the operation using the Tool Touch-off Device.
During this operation the machine will lower to the pre-defined safe height using the Tool Touch Speed Step 1,
after-which the controller begins searching for a signal from the device while continuing to lower at Speed Step 2.

I assume (always dangerous) that your controller operates somewhat similarly. It's not pulling Safe-Z height out of the cutting file, because you can perform this touch-off without having a file loaded. I've seen pictures of badly pitted pucks, and I've also seen numerous comments from people who won't use a puck with a fragile bit from fear (experience?) of breaking it. There are an awful lot of users out there who have just "chucked the puck" in a drawer and ALWAYS use paper (a sheet of office paper is right at .004" if you're trying to allow for that.)

[gerry]

Check out 'toolset speed' in the manual for the AR8 and lower it. Here's the link TOOLSET SPEED. I lower my Z close to where the top of the puck will be. I place the puck NEXT to the bit to fine tune the height to within about an inch or less, move the puck under the bit, then hit the TOOLSET button. This way you're not bothered by a SLOW TOOLSET as it only lowers about an inch or so. No dimples in the puck.

[chipclark2000]

Thank you Johnb and Gerry! Very helpful info!