TC820si & TC820LTYsi Lathe: Calibrate Tool Setters

Mount a dial indicator with 0.0001" resolution to the tool post or a stable holder.

Move the turret so the indicator can contact the face of the tool setter probe.

Use the manual jog function to sweep across the X+ side of the probe and note the reading.

Sweep across the Z+ side, again noting the reading.

Repeat for the X- side and Z- side.

Record all four measurements to determine any deviation from axis alignment.

The goal is for all four sides to be within 0.0008" (0.02 mm) of each other.

If the probe is out of tolerance, proceed to Step 2 to adjust alignment.

Loosen the four mounting screws that hold the tool setter probe in place.

Lightly snug the screws so the probe can still be rotated or shifted with slight pressure.

Use the dial indicator readings from Step 1 to determine which sides need adjustment.

Gently tap or shift the probe until all four sides read within 0.0008" (0.02 mm) of each other.

Fully tighten all four mounting screws once alignment is within spec.

Recheck all four sides with the dial indicator to confirm the probe did not shift while tightening.

If necessary, repeat minor adjustments and recheck until alignment is correct.

On the control, go to TSM and set the Work Offset to G54.

Navigate to the Work Offsets page and select G54…G599.

Zero both the X and Z axes for G54.

Insert a ground pin (e.g. 1.000" diameter) into the spindle.

Load three tools into any available turret stations:

Tool 1: Cutoff Tool

Tool 2: Boring Bar

Tool 3: Right Turn/Face Tool

Open the [Tool List] from the left-hand menu.

Select the turret position where the Cutoff Tool is installed.

Press [NEW TOOL] on the right-side button panel.

Choose PLUNGE CUTTER as the tool type.

Click on the 2nd tool tip position (Tip 2).

Press [OK] to save the tool setup.

Rename the tool to CUTOFF_TOOL_.125 (or adjust the name based on actual tool width).

Select the turret position where the Boring Bar is installed.

Press [NEW TOOL] on the right-side button panel.

Choose PLUNGE CUTTER as the tool type.

Click on the 3rd tool tip position (Tip 3).

Press [OK] to save the tool setup.

Rename the tool to BORING_BAR_.500 (or match your tool diameter if different).

Select the turret position where the Right Turn/Face Tool is installed.

Press [NEW TOOL] on the right-side button panel.

Choose ROUGHING TOOL as the tool type.

Click on the 1st tool tip position (Tip 1).

Press [OK] to save the tool setup.

Rename the tool to RIGHT_TURN/FACE_TOOL.

Go back to the TSM screen.

Ensure the turret has enough clearance to safely rotate.

Press [SELECT TOOL] on the right-side button panel.

Highlight CUTOFF_TOOL_.125 (or whatever name was assigned in Step 4).

Press [OK] to confirm tool selection.

Press [CYCLE START] on the control panel.

The turret will rotate and position the selected tool.

Press [MEASURE TOOL] on the control.

Use a .020" feeler gauge between the tool and the positive (front) side of the ground pin in the spindle.

Gently pinch the tool and gauge until you feel light resistance.

Press [MANUALLY], then press [X].

In the X0 input field, enter the measured diameter:

Pin Diameter + (Feeler Gauge × 2)

Example: 1.000 + (0.020 × 2) = 1.040

Press [SET LENGTH] to save the X value.

Press [Z] to switch to the Z-axis input.

Use a .020" feeler gauge between the tip of the cutoff tool and the end of the ground pin.

Gently pinch the tool and gauge until you feel light resistance.

In the Z0 input field, enter the total offset:

Tool Width + Feeler Gauge

Example: 0.125 + 0.020 = 0.145

Press [SET LENGTH] to save the Z value.

Move the tool away from the pin to clear space for turret rotation.

Ensure there is enough clearance around the turret to avoid collisions.

Open the [Tool List].

Press [SELECT TOOL].

Select BORING_BAR_.500 (or your assigned Boring Bar name).

Press [OK] to confirm the tool.

Press [CYCLE START] to rotate the turret and bring the tool into position.

Press [MEASURE TOOL].

Use a .020" feeler gauge between the boring bar and the back (negative X) side of the ground pin.

Gently pinch until you feel light resistance.

Press [MANUALLY], then press [X].

In the X0 input field, enter the total value as a negative diameter:

Example: -1.040 (1.000" pin + 0.020" gauge × 2)

Press [SET LENGTH] to save the X value.

Press [Z] to switch to the Z-axis input.

Use a .020" feeler gauge between the tip of the boring bar and the end of the ground pin.

Gently pinch until you feel light resistance.

In the Z0 input field, enter the gauge thickness only:

Example: 0.020

Press [SET LENGTH] to save the Z value.

Move the tool away from the ground pin to clear the area.

Pull the release pin at the base of the probe arm and swing the probe into position.

Press [BACK] on the control screen.

Press [CALIBRATE PROBE].

Press [Z] to begin Z+ calibration.

Jog the tool so the tip is approximately ¼" from the right side of the probe button.

Confirm the probe is set to move in the correct direction using the on-screen arrows or dropdown.

Press [CYCLE START]. The tool will move forward, trigger the probe, then back away — Z+ is now calibrated.

Press [X] to begin X- calibration.

Jog the tool so the tip is approximately ¼" from the bottom side of the probe button.

Confirm the probe will move in the correct direction using the on-screen arrows or dropdown.

Press [CYCLE START]. The tool will move forward, trigger the probe, then back away — X- is now calibrated.

Move the tool away from the probe to ensure clearance.

Go to TSM and press [TOOL LIST] from the right VSK. Select the CUTOFF_TOOL_.125 (or your assigned cutoff tool).

Press [OK], then press [CYCLE START] to rotate the turret.

Press [MEASURE TOOL] on the control.

Press [CALIBRATE PROBE].

Press [X] to begin X+ calibration.

Jog the tool so the tip is approximately ¼" from the top side of the probe button.

Press [CYCLE START]. The tool will move forward, trigger the probe, then back away — X+ is now calibrated.

Press [Z] to begin Z- calibration.

Jog the tool so the tip is approximately ¼" from the left side of the probe button.

Confirm the probe direction is correct using the on-screen arrows or dropdown.

Press [CYCLE START]. The tool will move forward, trigger the probe, then back away — Z- is now calibrated.

Press [BACK] to exit manual mode.

Press [AUTOMATIC] to enter automatic calibration mode.

Press [Z] to begin. Jog the tool tip to about ¼" from the left side of the probe button.

Press [CYCLE START]. The tool will touch the probe and move away. ➜ The Z value will not change — this sets the machine offset.

Press [X] next. Jog the tool tip to about ¼" from the top side of the probe button.

Press [CYCLE START]. The tool will touch the probe and move away. ➜ The X value will not change — this sets the machine offset.

Move the tool away from the probe to ensure full clearance.

Open the Tool List and select BORING_BAR_.500 (or your assigned boring bar).

Press [OK], then press [CYCLE START] to rotate the turret.

Press [X] to begin X- calibration. Jog the tool tip to about ¼" from the bottom side of the probe button.

Press [CYCLE START]. The tool will touch the probe and move away. ➜ The X value will not change — this sets the machine offset.

Press [Z] to begin Z+ calibration. Jog the tool tip to about ¼" from the right side of the probe button.

Press [CYCLE START]. The tool will touch the probe and move away. ➜ The Z value will not change — this sets the machine offset.

Move the current tool away from the probe to ensure full clearance.

Open the [Tool List] and select RIGHT_TURN/FACE_TOOL.

Press [OK], then press [CYCLE START] to rotate the turret.

Press [Z] to begin Z- calibration. Jog the tool tip to about ¼" from the right side of the probe button.

Press [CYCLE START]. The tool will touch the probe and move away. ➜ The Z value will now update to show the offset from machine Z zero.

Press [X] to begin X+ calibration.

Jog the tool tip to about ¼" from the top side of the probe button.

Press [CYCLE START]. The tool will touch the probe and move away. ➜ The X value will now update to show the offset from machine X zero.

Move the tool away from the probe so you can return it to its home position.

Use a .020" feeler gauge and touch the tool to the end of the ground pin in the spindle. ➜ The Z value in the tool display should read approximately 0.020".

Use the same feeler gauge to touch the diameter of the ground pin. ➜ The X value in the tool display should read approximately 1.040", assuming a 1.000" pin and 0.020" gauge.