The tool setter is a fixed reference surface MASSO uses to measure tool length. With Auto Tool Zero, MASSO measures each tool on it and compensates automatically for length differences, with manual or automatic tool changes.
The tool setter's thickness doesn't matter as long as its height never changes. This differs from a probing touch plate, whose thickness must be known.
1. How it works
When MASSO homes, the tool in the spindle is touched off on the tool setter and that length is stored as the reference for all later tool changes. It stays valid until remeasured or changed manually; the tool can then be zeroed to the material surface as needed. On an M06 tool change, MASSO measures the new tool, compares it with the reference and adjusts the tool height offset.
WARNING – THE GOLDEN RULE
After homing, never change the tool in the spindle without an M06 command. If the tool or its length changes without M06, re-home the machine. Otherwise every later tool height is wrong, which can damage the machine or workpiece. This applies to Auto Tool Zero and to manually measured tool lengths.
2. Choosing a tool setter
Type
How it detects
Notes
Switch-based (recommended)
Mechanical contact
Does not depend on the tool being grounded
Touch-plate style
Plate and cutter complete the circuit
Spindle and tool must be reliably grounded
WARNING
With a touch-plate-style tool setter, if the tool or spindle is not properly grounded MASSO won't detect contact and the tool can crash into the setter. Check grounding before every use, and test the input by touching the tool to the plate before running Auto Tool Zero.
3. Wiring a switch-based tool setter
INFORMATION
A normally closed (NC) contact is fail-safe and needs no over-travel switch: if the circuit opens through a fault or broken wire, MASSO detects it and prevents probing. A normally open (NO) contact is not recommended, because the normal and fault states look the same.
Over-travel switch
Connect a second over-travel switch to the Feed Hold input (Cycle Stop Button Input) or into the E-Stop circuit, to stop probing if the primary switch fails.
Active components
For setters with LEDs or inductive sensors, follow the manufacturer's wiring instructions.
The plate and cutter complete the circuit on contact. A pull-up resistor of at least 1/8 W pulls the input High, and the input must be inverted so it reads Low when not triggered.
CAUTION
Don't leave out the resistor or the positive supply – the tool setter won't work. Don't replace the resistor with a direct connection to the supply – that shorts the supply when the tool touches the plate.
To use one plate as both tool setter and probing plate, see Probing Touch Plate.
5. Assigning the input
1
Go to the F1-Setup screen.
2
Select the input the tool setter is wired to and double-click it.
3
Select Tool Setter Input from the list and double-click to confirm.
CAUTION
The input must read Low when the tool setter is not triggered and High only when it is triggered. To invert an input, select it in the INPUTS list and press Space; the setting saves automatically.
6. Manual tool change
During a manual tool change with Auto Tool Zero enabled, MASSO moves to the tool setter, measures the new tool, calculates the length offset and continues machining with the correct compensation. See Manual Tool Changer.
7. Troubleshooting
Symptom
Cause and fix
Tool length wrong after a tool change
Usually the tool was changed after homing without M06, which changes the reference length. Change the tool before homing, or let MASSO change it with M06.
Tool change ignored in G-code
If the requested tool number matches the current tool on the F2 screen, MASSO skips the change. For manual changes, give each tool a unique number in your CAM software.
