The Virtual Machine Shop

Assign program zero

Assigning program zero is a CNC lathe programming method using the G50 word.

1. G50 on a CNC mill is a scaling word.
2. G50 on some CNC lathes is a spindle speed limiting word.
3. G50 on some other CNC lathes is for assigning program zero. Assign program zero by measuring the distance from the current position of the tool tip to the X0Z0 location on the part. Example G50X1.2Z1.1 This is a method used on older CNC lathes. Newer CNC lathes use methods similar to CNC milling machines for storing this information. Touch probes are also used on newer machines to make this a simple task.