Three compensation methods commonly used in CNC processing and mold processing

1. CNC Tool Length Compensation:

1. The concept of tool length is an important one. When programming a part, the programming center of the part must be specified first, before establishing the workpiece programming coordinate system. This is simply a workpiece coordinate system, with the origin usually located on the workpiece. CNC tool length compensation is only related to the Z-coordinate; it is different from the programming origin on the X and Y planes, because the tool is positioned by the spindle taper without changing, and the Z-coordinate origin can vary. Each tool has a different length. For example, if we need to drill a hole with a depth of 50mm and the tapping depth is 45mm, with one tap being 250mm long and the other 350mm long, the machine tool is set with the workpiece origin. When changing from drilling to tapping, if both tools are programmed from the set zero point, the tap will be too long, as it is longer than the drill bit, which could damage both the tool and the workpiece.

2. Tool Radius Compensation:

1. The concept of tool radius and compensation is similar to compensating for different tool path lengths. When programming, you generally do not need to consider the choice of tool length, and the same applies to tool radius compensation. With tool radius compensation, the tool diameter does not need to be considered too much during programming. Tool length compensation applies to all tools, while tool radius compensation is typically used only for milling tools.

2. Offset Compensation: When a machining center is used to process small workpieces, multiple workpieces can be clamped in a fixture at one time. The programmer does not need to consider the zero point coordinates for each individual workpiece during programming, but instead programs based on their respective programming zero points. Then, CNC fixture offset is used to shift the programming zero point on each workpiece. Just as tool length compensation and radius compensation allow the programmer to adjust for tool length and size, fixture offset allows the programmer to use fixture offset values without considering the position of the workpiece fixture.