Home / CNC Training / Lesson 2: How To Use a Job Set Up Sheet
CNC Training Module: Section 2.5: Fast Start - Setting Up a Work Offset

Lesson 2: How To Use a Job Set Up Sheet

This tutorial provides a detailed guide on utilizing a job sheet to set up work offset positions for CNC machining. The instructor explains how to gather crucial information regarding the setup process, including determining the correct zero positions for X, Y, and Z axes, as well as identifying the necessary tooling for the job. The video covers the following key components:

  1. Introduction to the importance of a job sheet for setting up work offsets.
  2. Overview of where to find information regarding zero positions and tooling.
  3. Demonstration of generating a job sheet from CAD/CAM software.
  4. Explanation of key details included in the job sheet:
  5. Material blank size and orientation.
  6. Datum positions for X, Y, and Z zeros.
  7. Detailed tooling information, including tool types and numbers for auto tool changing.
  8. Discussion on the significance of documenting feed speeds and programming details for future reference.
  9. Emphasis on the benefits of using job sheets to minimize errors and enhance setup accuracy.
  10. Personal anecdote on the challenges faced without job sheets and the improvements observed after implementing them.
  11. Encouragement to consistently use job sheets for all CNC setups to boost success rates and reduce human error.

Main purpose: To instruct users on how to effectively use job sheets for setting up work offset positions in CNC machining, ensuring accurate machine setup and tooling identification.

Key takeaways:

  • Importance of job sheets in documenting critical setup information.
  • Correct identification of X, Y, and Z zero positions to avoid errors.
  • Overview of material specifications and tooling requirements.
  • Benefits of consistent use of job sheets to improve machining outcomes.
  • Elimination of guesswork and enhancement of operational efficiency through structured documentation.

Video Duration:

  • 00:00 – Introduction and overview of job sheets.
  • 00:30 – Importance of job sheets in determining work offsets.
  • 01:00 – Overview of CAD/CAM software and job sheet generation.
  • 01:30 – Details on blank size and orientation.
  • 02:00 – Explanation of Z zero and XY zero positions.
  • 03:00 – Tooling information and programming parameters.
  • 04:00 – Benefits of using job sheets and personal experiences.
  • 05:00 – Final encouragement to utilize job sheets in future setups.
  • 05:30 – Conclusion and preview of the next video focusing on actual zero setups.

Video Summary

Remember This Checklist:

  1. Understand the purpose of a job sheet for work offset setup
  2. Identify key information on the job sheet: blank size and datum position
  3. Recognize the importance of Z zero and XY zero locations
  4. Familiarize yourself with tool requirements and auto tool change settings
  5. Emphasize the benefits of using job setup sheets consistently

Introduction to Job Sheets (0:00-1:11)

0:00-0:05 – Introduction to the training video on setting up a work offset position
0:05-0:14 – Overview of using job sheets to determine work offset information
0:14-0:26 – Importance of knowing where to set X, Y, and Z zeros for the machining process
0:26-0:40 – Introduction to the concept of a job sheet as a cheat sheet for machine setup
0:40-1:11 – Transition to the CAD/CAM software to show job sheet generation and information retrieval

Generating and Understanding Job Sheets (1:11-3:00)

1:11-1:38 – Explanation of generating a job sheet after creating tool paths in the software
1:38-1:55 – Description of the job sheet opening in a browser as an HTML file
1:55-2:15 – Overview of the 2D representation of the part on the job sheet
2:15-2:31 – Key information provided, including blank size and orientation
2:31-3:00 – Explanation of the datum position, defining Z zero and XY zero locations

Detailed Job Sheet Information (3:00-4:30)

3:00-3:18 – Discussion of the blank size: dimensions and orientation along the X and Y axes
3:18-3:36 – Identification of Z zero placement on top of the material
3:36-3:54 – Clarification of XY zero position being at the bottom left corner of the blank
3:54-4:12 – Importance of following the job sheet to avoid mistakes in tool placement
4:12-4:30 – Overview of additional setup information such as required tools and feed speeds

Recommendations for Using Job Sheets (4:30-5:46)

4:30-4:50 – Emphasis on the usefulness of job sheets for machine setup to avoid human error
4:50-5:10 – Personal anecdote about the benefits of using job sheets to prevent errors
5:10-5:30 – Strong recommendation to incorporate job sheets for every setup process
5:30-5:46 – Preview of the next video focusing on setting up zero positions using information from the job sheet

Full Video Transcript

Introduction to Job Sheets (0:00-1:11)

0:00-1:11: “Hey, hey, welcome back to another training video. Now we’re gonna continue our conversation on setting up a work offset position. This video specifically is going to be about using a job sheet to set up your work offset because when you’re at the machine and you’re ready to now set up your x, your Y and your Z zero, where do you get the information of knowing which corner or the center where x, y zero should be and whether or not the top or the bottom is your Z zero for the actual program that you’re running in the machine. So to get this type of information as well as what, what tooling you need to use for the program and which tool number for auto tool change functionality, um, all this information can be found in what is called a job sheet. So it is uh, kinda like your cheat sheet when it comes to setting up your machine. So let’s go back to our cad cam software real quick. We’ll just show you one, how it generates it and two, the information that it gives us so we know exactly how to set up the machine, uh, pertaining to our work offset. So in the previous video we had laid out a blank in the software, um, choosing the XY zero to be, for example, here in the bottom left corner and are easier on the top.”

Generating and Understanding Job Sheets (1:11-3:00)

1:08-2:59: “here in the bottom left corner and are easier on the top. You can actually see this original job set up where we got to choose that information previously, right? But if I need to bring this information with me, let’s generate a job sheet or summary sheet that we can either print off or bring over digitally to the machine so we know exactly how to set it up. Now this isn’t a how to onto create tool pass or really how to even create the job sheet. I just want to show you what a job sheet is. So this is all generated from the software. So after we’ve gen, um, created tool pass, we can create a job sheet. And here I’m just gonna save it as a new summary just for now. Okay, and let’s go take a look at that job sheet. So if we open this up, This is gonna open up in a browser ’cause it’s an HTML file. And this is gonna give us some information, for example, A 2D representation of the part that we’re trying to produce on the machine. And then down here is our key information for setting up the material. So the first thing is our blank size. So we can indicate here that the blank is gonna be 13 by three by three quarter inch thickness and it’s also gonna be laid out on the machine, um, to be oriented along the X axis for 13 inches and y axis for three inches so that we know how it needs to be pitch positioned in the machine, um, relative to those axes. Now the next piece of information down here is called your datum position. Also is another term for that is your x, Y, Z zero location, um, known as a work offset. So the first one here is your Z zero. So we need to place our Z zero on top of our material and you can actually see a little, um, icon indicating that the top surface is highlighted. Um, that’s where we need to make our Z zero if we were setting up an actual part. Um, the next piece of information is our XY zero PO position or datum position.”

Detailed Job Sheet Information (3:00-4:30)

3:00-4:30: “And this is gonna be the bottom left corner and we can see the icon is the bottom edge, left edge. So the bottom left corner is where we need to make XY zero on our machine. So if we’re following these instructions, uh, we won’t make the mistake of choosing a wrong axis as long as we don’t mess up our orientation on the machine. Coming down here, we can also see additional information for setup procedures such as what tools that we need to use. So the first cutter here is a drill bit. Um, it’s a quarter inch drill bit and it’s gonna be placed in, for example, tool number one if you have auto tool change. We’ll be referencing, um, this sheet many times here in the future as we’re practicing setting up our work offsets and um, going through the procedures of making parts. Uh, down here we even have the feed speeds and the programming, um, information that we decided to use for drilling this, drilling this hole with this tool. So you can keep track of information as you’re cutting. Uh, so you can say, oh, I can speed or slow down my parameters after I’ve watched it take place. Um, but the key information for setup is here. It’s just your blank size, how it’s oriented. Your Z zero and your XY zero is what we’re gonna focus on for now. ’cause that is how we’re going to be setting up our work offset position. So these job setup sheets and summary sheets, either one, it can be printed or brought over digitally to the machine. And these are a lifesaver. Make it so that we can just follow simple instructions on how to set up the machine pertaining to X, y,”

Recommendations for Using Job Sheets (4:30-5:46)

4:27-5:46: “how to set up the machine pertaining to X, y, and Z zero positions as well as the tooling that we need and which tool number to place them in, um, before we actually run a program. Now, before I started using these, I would always assume where x, y, Z zero was because I had design and program things and I was like, oh, I always put the XY in this corner and I always make Z in this surface. Well, guess what? I was surprised many times when I would assume that and go run the program and the cutter went somewhere that I didn’t anticipate because of some situation or process that I didn’t remember that I had programmed into my part. So these became my saving grace. I highly recommend that every one of you use a job setup sheet, um, throughout every single setup process that you use with the machine. It will help eliminate that human air factor that each of us have. And so by following these simple instructions, your success rate is gonna go skyrocket through the roof and your failure rate is obvious is almost gonna disappear overnight. So definitely get used to using these and applying them to every single one of your parts and projects. We’ll see you guys in the next video where we’re going to actually start setting up the zero positions now that we have the information that we need from our job sheet. So we’ll see you there.”