Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Up and Down; Is Z- away from the part or into the part?

Oh, but it does matter!
I have personally found that the SAFEST way to set up and use the Z axis is
to ALWAYS set the "0" reference point at the bottom of the part. That way,
all my Z figures are positive unless I intentionally want to either mill all
the way thru the part (such as for contour milling and edge) or I'm drilling
a thru hole. It also makes it really easy to machine a part or a pocket to
the correct height. All you need to do is dimension all the vertical
dimensions on the part drawing from the bottom surface. That way all you
need to do is enter a part dimension from the drawing and it's correct. For
XY clearance moves, just make sure the Z dimension is greater than the part
thickness or large enough to clear any clamps.

This, of course is only true if the Z axis is set up to industry standards
(Z down = negative move, and Z up = positive move).

Smoke

> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "Daniel J. Statman" <dan.statman@r...>
> wrote:
> > I do not know what a commercial machine does, but I have found that
> it does
> > not matter at all
>
> Do not listen to Dan, you will hurt yourself!
>
>
> All axes are defined by the RS-274G. Those identified in the NIST
> 274 documents are accurate. You can find it at the EMC site.
>