Setting Z using TLS

New at this. How do you set up tools to machine bed=0. After ATC Probes TLS what else do I need to do so all tools know where bed=0 is? Something is missing in my brains logic.

First off, I don’t have any of these fancy ATC and TLS gizmo’s so I may very well be wrong.

That said I think the TLS just maintains the zero that you set for the job. When your setting up for a job your going to set Z=0 somewhere by any of several methods. Paper method, touch block whatever.

Then after the initial zero point is set for the job I think the controller touches the TLS with the first tool before the change and then touches the second tool after the change. By comparing the different measurements the controller can then adjust the Z up or down by the difference between the two bits.

Example:
My imaginary TLS is 30mm above the waste board and I initially zero to the waste board. When the first tool is measured Z should be at 30mm. Then it picks up the second tool and touches the TLS and gets Z=20mm. The machine had to go down an extra 10 mm so it knows the bit is 10mm shorter and adjusts accordingly.

Simplified example because the calculations are probably made in Machine coordinates and the Work offsets adjusted but I’m not positive on that. That’s the basic idea as I understand it.

Anyone with more knowledge is welcome to correct me if I’m wrong!

EDIT: I made a mistake in when the probes are done. The tool is probed once when it is first picked up and the position stored. You still end up with a before and after measurement but the before measurement doesn’t come from immediately before the change. That’s according to the Sienci docs for their ATC.

Thanks Michael,
After experimenting I found, as you said, It’s a two step process. First probe using TLS is automatically done when you select a tool. The second probe using touch plate sets the z=0 for material. The software adjusts the Z height automatically when a new tool is selected and probed using TLS.

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