chrisb wrote: ↑Wed May 02, 2018 8:00 pm
If you don't have a tool changer or at least some exchange system assuring a well defined length after a tool change all that FreeCAD can do is to wait for you to perform the change.
The toolchange is performed at machining time, has nothing to do with FreeCAD. When using manual toolchange, for non-critical tool length accuracies, a simple line on the tool that marks how far to insert into the collet will do. Should be good for +-0,1mm. When setting up a new tool, measure stickout with calipers, mark the tool with tape or a sharpie, and program measured stickout or offset to some zero-Z in the tool table.
Concerning radius compensation is there a use case where you want to use FreeCAD's and your machine's compensation?
For me, not in one program or with the same tool.
There already is a possibility to use radius compensation of the CNC controller (G41, G42), with the LeadInOutDressup, see
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7YADapFduk. For real production use, this has advantages, as the controller can track tool wear and compensate, you could use re-sharpened cutters (with a slightly smaller diameter) without reposting your programs etc...