Contents:
Properly setting and adjusting the tool height sensor is essential for precise and efficient CNC routing. This guide covers the key steps to ensure accurate setup, saving time and improving your results.
Work principle
The tool height sensor is used for automatic calibration of tool length and measurement of workpiece thickness on a CNC machine. This thing is extremely useful if you frequently switch material types or have an ATC system, as on the 1325 M3 model.
On Wattsan machines, the sensor looks like a large button with a wire. The area that interacts with the tool bits is this protruding cylinder, which is spring-loaded.
The sensor works based on circuit closure. The first part is the sensor itself, and the second part can be either the spindle or the tool, depending on your choice. When the measurement is initiated, the Z-axis will lower until it touches the sensor. Then, the controller registers the height of the lift, material, and sensor.
For example, if the sensor, which is 50 mm tall, is touched at coordinate 150, the machine will understand that the material height is 100 mm. Convenient and quick!
By the way, our engineers added a handy pocket on the machine so you can store the sensor safely after use!

Setting menu
Let’s enter the “Menu” and find “Machine Setup” in it. There, we have to open the “ToolSet Setup” tab. You’ll see four sections.

Position
Here, you should see an “In Plc” being written. It means that the tool sensor has no static position and is going to be placed directly in the working zone.

Thickness
Second window, in which the sensor’s height is being indicated.
The first thing you have to do is take a caliper and measure the tool sensor. Then, write down the numbers. As you can see, we’ve got a 40,4 mm, rounding off.


Pickup
The third tab is where we should specify the bounce height. This is the distance that a spindle with an instrument will rise after hitting the sensor.


Speed
Here we write down the tool measurement speed.


Setting process
Let’s try this out. Place the tool height sensor on the working table and press the combination of buttons “On-Off” plus “Menu” to begin the process.
Done. Now let’s check. We need to switch to the slow mode and start lowering the instrument to material until we reach point zero. Then, examine whether there is touching or not.
If there is none, we need to perform steps of 0.1 mm until the instrument reaches the workpiece and starts scratching it a little.
We found that we needed to add another 0.4 mm. Go to “Machine Setup”, then “Toolset Setup”, and adjust the sensor height by adding this value to the current one. Instead of 40.4, we entered 40.8. Confirm the change and repeat the calibration!
If everything was done correctly, the tool should touch the material at the point zero after measurement.
That’s it! Your tool height sensor is set and ready to work!
Conclusion
- Accurate Calibration is Key: Properly setting and adjusting the tool height sensor ensures precise measurements of tool length and workpiece thickness, which directly impacts the quality of CNC routing.
- Essential for Efficiency: Using the tool height sensor significantly saves time, especially when switching materials or utilizing an ATC system, by automating the calibration process.
- User-Friendly Features: Wattsan machines offer practical design elements like a designated storage pocket for the sensor, making operation more convenient.
- Detailed Configuration Process: The step-by-step setup of parameters such as sensor thickness, bounce height, and measurement speed is critical for achieving optimal functionality.
- Regular Testing Ensures Precision: Verifying the tool height sensor’s accuracy and making necessary adjustments, such as fine-tuning the sensor height, ensures reliable performance and minimizes errors during machining.