The chuck on the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC 4th Axis Accessory doesn’t move relative to the bed, so you only need to locate the center of the chuck once—which you do while installing the 4th axis. And because you can only fixture your stock along this centerline with our 3-jaw chuck, you don’t need to run a material offset probing routine.
However, you will need to probe the length or diameter of the stock. For this we will use the Material Size Probing Routines in the Bantam Tools software. To help you set up your job quickly and accurately, we’ve developed built-in probing routines into the Bantam Tools Milling Machine Software specifically for the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC 4th Axis Accessory.
While these routines are powerful, they are only one step in setting up your stock. Prior to running any of these routines, it’s important that you measure your stock using a pair of digital calipers. This is a best practice that will ensure you’re setting up your job accurately.
Let’s take a closer look at these powerful routines!
Note: When running these routines, make sure the tailstock live center is out of the way. In some instances, this may require you to remove the tailstock from the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC 4th Axis Accessory entirely. For more insight into fixturing with this accessory see our support guide.
4th Axis Stock Length Probing
Our 4th Axis Stock Length Probing routine allows you to quickly find the length of cylindrical conductive stock in the Bantam Desktop CNC 4th Axis Accessory. It will probe off the free end of the stock and report the X dimension of your stock.
Complete the following steps to run the routine:
- Using a pair of digital calipers, measure the length and diameter of your stock, and enter these values under the Material Size dropdown menu.
- Fixture the conductive stock into the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC 4th Axis Accessory.
- Install a 1/4” probe and perform a tool touch-off.
- Click the Material Size Probing Routines button, select 4th Axis Stock Length Probing.
- Click Next and then follow the on-screen instructions.
When you’re finished, the Material Length value will automatically update.
4th Axis Stock Diameter Probing
The 4th Axis Stock Diameter Probing routine allows you to automatically find the diameter of cylindrical conductive stock in the Bantam Desktop CNC 4th Axis Accessory.
Complete the following steps to run the routine:
- Using a pair of digital calipers, measure the length and diameter of your stock, and enter these values under the Material Size dropdown menu.
- Fixture the conductive stock into the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC 4th Axis Accessory.
- Install a 1/4” probe and perform a tool touch-off.
- Click the Material Size Probing Routines button, select 4th Axis Stock Diameter Probing.
- Click Next and then follow the on-screen instructions.
When you’re finished, the Material Diameter value will automatically update.
Single-Axis Stock Probing
The Single-Axis Stock Probing routine enables you to probe the length and diameter of a single axis on your cylindrical stock.
Complete the following steps to run the routine:
- Using a pair of digital calipers, measure the length and diameter of your stock, and enter these values under the Material Size dropdown menu.
- Fixture the conductive stock into the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC 4th Axis Accessory.
- Install a 1/4” probe and perform a tool touch-off.
- Click the Material Size Probing Routines button, select 4th Axis Single-Axis Probing routine, and click Next.
- You will be brought to a pop-up window that looks like this. Roughly position the tool along the axis you would like to probe using the Jog menu to the right.
- Then click the corresponding Probe button in the menu on the left to locate the material edge.
- Then jog the probe so that it hovers over the top of the cylindrical stock and click Probe Z-.
- Click OK when you’re finished.
Manual Stock Location Routine
Alternatively, you can manually set the length of your stock. This routine really comes in handy when you want to probe the length of nonconductive stock, but you can use it with conductive stock too. This routine allows you to set the
To run this routine, complete the following steps:
- Navigate to the Material Setup tab.
- Using a pair of digital calipers, measure the length and diameter of your stock, and enter these values under the Material Size dropdown menu.
- Fixture the conductive stock into the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC 4th Axis Accessory.
- Install a 1/4” probe and perform a tool touch-off.
- Click the Material Size Probing Routines button, select Manual Stock Location Routine.
- Click Next. A pop-up window will appear that looks like this:
- Select the side of the probe that is going to touch off the free end of the stock.
- Use the Job controls to move the probe so that it’s hovering at the end of the stock.
- Then, click the -X Button to move the probe toward the free end of the stock. Take care not to crash the probe into the stock. As you get closer to the stock, we recommend toggling to the Step controls, so that you can move the probe in small and precise increments.
- When the probe is touching the stock, click Set Length. The value for the Material Length in the Material Size dropdown menu will automatically update.
- Click OK when you’re done.