3.8] TOOL COMPENSATION ‘Tool compensation is a very useful feature in a control system and ensures that pro- gramming is independent of tool dimensions. The control system contains a memory in which both tool length and tool radius compensations are stored. 9.8.1 Tool Length Compensation This is the distance between the gauge plane on the spindle nose and the tip of the cutter, It is essential to establish the length of each tool and store that in the system memory against the corresponding tool number before starting the actual cutting. 9.8.2 Tool Radius Compen: tion During a turning or milling operation, an equidistant path of the tool tip centre or cut- ter centre has to be calculated and the dimensions have to be given to this tool path. This feature permits programming to the drawing dimensions of the workpiece and al- lows the calculation of the equidistant tool path to the control system. The actual tool radius is not specified in the program at all. ‘Site eompenswtterrearsbegrrerste-tiestete