Tool setting on a B-axis rotary table of a precision lathe

A method has been developed for setting a single-point cutting tool on the axis of rotation of a B-axis rotary table on a precision lathe. The method requires that three grooves be machined in the face of a workpiece with the B-axis set at three different angles. The depths of each of the grooves are then measured, and the measured values are used to calculate the tool offset vector. Experiments on a four-axis diamond turning machine have verified the precision of this method. This method has a significant advantage over commercially available touch probe tool set stations, because touch probes are well known to damage the cutting edges of fragile tools, such as single-point diamond tools with a small nose radius and a large primary clearance angle. The method developed in this study does not subject the cutting edge of the tool to any stress beyond that of its intended purpose of machining workpiece material. Therefore, this method can be used to set extremely fragile single-point cutting tools without the risk of damaging the tools. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.