Amana Bits and Triquetra Touch Plate

1

I have the Amana 60 deg V_Bit and was wondering if anyone else on the forum uses this bit and the Triquetra Touch Plate. The bit is so tall with the replaceable knifes that I can’t seem to get a good Zero on it. When you generate the Gcode for the X & Y axis the tip of the bit is actually below the touch plate. If not doing a roughing 3D carve first the tip would be dug into the work piece.

Am I not seeing something here?

Any thoughts are appreciated.

3

Agree a bit is a bit, but if you read the above you would see I explained the length of the bit from cutting tip to where you would measure the X - Y on the touch plate is too long. “If not doing a roughing 3D carve first the tip would be dug into the work piece.” Here is the bit I’m Talking about - Amana RC-1148. Z steps are fine and the gcode is generated by Charlies Triquetra Toolbox for running the zero process.

Edit to make clear: When the side of the measured bit is touching the touch plate the cutting tip is below the touch plate in the work material.

4

Maybe add some material under your work piece to raise to the height to clear your bit depth.

5

Two suggestions:

  1. Use a different bit to set your X and Y and then switch to the V-bit and probe Z only. Your X and Y won’t change based on the bit, only your Z would.
  2. Measure the width of the bit at the widest point (the end of the cutting length) with a caliper and use that and generate new Gcode.

You don’t HAVE to use the shaft of the bit to set your zero position, it’s just that in most bits thats the most accurate way.

6

Also possible is that the tip of your bit is cracked or flat and ur z is being affected by that

7

No it’s brand new with replaceable blades.

8

Trust but verify.

9

I answered David in an email but it thought I would answer it here for anyone who has a bit that just doesn’t play well with the Triquetra Touch Plate.

Yes you can still achieve 3 axis zeroing with ANY bit. If the geometry of your bit is such that it doesn’t make contact at the proper locations then just choose ANY other bit that does and zero all three axis with that one. Since X and Y zero is actually the center of the spindle, this will set your X and Y zero that will work with your incompatible bit. Now that you have X and Y zero established, put your desired bit in the collet and zero just the z axis by generating a Z Axis Only code from the Triquetra Tool Box and zero the Z axis of your bit. You are all set to carve.

Hope that makes sense.

Charley Thomas
Triquetra CNC

2 Likes
11

No problem Robert.

I want to say what a great support team we have here and especially Charley who explains very well when ya might tend to over analyze.

Thanks again folks.

12

i was able to purchase from a friend a precision made 1/4’’ rod that i use to pick up center. Then z is easy. Thanks @CharleyThomas for making all our lives better!
(The other Charley i dealt with was 10 years ago when i purchased a custom trigger for a rifle! Top notch but a rare breed. :grin:)