Touch Probe Solution

testyourdesign

testyourdesign

testyourdesign
Hi Guys,

Just wanted to let everyone know about a great option for locating the part origin using the G38.2 probing sequence and touch probe input on the Masso Control. I just finished wiring up and testing a new touch probe I bought from Drewtronics. He offers both hard wired and wireless touch probes that are very accurate and compact. I went with the S5000 TTS model since my milling machine is already outfitted with the TTS tooling to R8 tooling adapter and a power draw bar that I fabricated and installed last year. The power draw bar makes tool changes very easy and fast. The new G-Code program that I wrote automatically locates the X0, Y0, Z0 part origin at Rear, Upper, Left Corner of my part using the G38.2 command and a touch probe. This together with the Auto Load Value button for the Work Offsets on the F4 screen makes setting the part origin offsets a real breeze.

Imperial version of the G-Code I used. (Revised 11-17-2018)

(Find the Top and Left Rear Corner of Part using www.drewtronics.org Probe with 0.125 dia tip)
(Set G59 origin for Probe at <0.5 Above Top, Rear Side, and Left Side of Part before selecting Cycle Start)
N10 G90 G94 G17
N20 G20
N30 M05
N40 M09
N50 T0 M06
N60 G59
N70 G00 X0 Y0
N80 G00 Z0
N90 G91
N100 G38.2 Z-1 F10
N110 G92 Z0
N120 G91
N130 G00 Z1
N140 G00 X-1
N150 G00 Z-1.25
N160 G38.2 X1.5 F10
N170 G92 X-0.0625
N180 G91
N190 G00 X-.1
N200 G00 Z1.25
N210 G00 X.6625 Y1
N220 G00 Z-1.25
N230 G38.2 Y-1.5 F10
N240 G92 Y.0625
N250 G91
N260 G00 Y.1
N270 G00 Z1.35
N280 G00 X-.6 Y-.1625
N285 G00 X.1
N290 G00 Z-.1
N300 G92.1
N310 G54
(Probe is now at X0 Y0 Z1 Work Offset Position)
(Use Auto Load Value in F4 Work Offset List to set new G54 origin)
(Set new origin at current location with -1 inch in Z)
N320 M02

By having the probe location at 1 inch above my part makes it very easy to quickly check the setting using a 1-2-3 block. After running the program I return to the F4 screen to set the current location as the new G54 and adjust the Z for the 1 inch offset.

Cheers,

Stephen Brown

MASSO Extended Team Member ?
 

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steelcogs

steelcogs
Woah, very cool! They're also pretty reasonably priced too. I've always wanted a Haimer but couldn't justify spending $500+ if I'm not making money off my machine lol. I wonder if it's possible to write a program to touch off each side of X and Y and the top for Z like the Renishaw system Haas machines have to set your origin to center. Or if Masso made a sort of conversational plugin to do this where you type in how big your part is and if you put it near center and it does it's own thing whether it be for centering or edge finding.

This plus my new AC servo spindle motor I ordered plus a PDB I'm going to make (once I get the servo spindle motor going), plus backlash comp, and I'll have a sweet little mill. It's bittersweet when you know your limiting factor (at least for cutting aluminum and hopefully steel) is your spindle motor and not your machine's rigidity.
 
testyourdesign

testyourdesign

testyourdesign
@steelcogs I plan on posting more sample codes for part center and hole center probing once I've tested them properly. By the time I figure it out they will probably have the new screen layout complete with those conversational options but I like this detailed learning process so I am going for it. Need to find out from @masso-support if we can have access to numbered parameters and named parameters through G-Code so we can use them to calculate the centers.

Cheers, Stephen Brown

Extended Masso Team Member ?
 
masso-support

masso-support

MASSO Support
Staff member
very very cool Stephen, saw your video on instagram over the weekend. If you can send us a link to the video then we can even load it to the MASSO youtube channel for others to see your work :)
 
testyourdesign

testyourdesign

testyourdesign
Hi Guys,

Here are a couple more videos showing my MASSO setup and how to use the Probe. I also updated the G-Code in my first post above to use G59 as the starting point for the probe and added some additional the rapid movements so that the probe backs off the part after touching off and approaches the origin the same way it was probed to account for any backlash issues.

Cheers, Stephen Brown

Masso Extended Team Member ?


 
testyourdesign

testyourdesign

testyourdesign
Thanks @peter35

Hope it helps others who are just getting started. The Probe is a very nice tool. I am also working on a corner touch plate design that will work great for those that don't want to spend the money on a touch probe. More to come.

Cheers, Stephen Brown

Masso Extended Team Member ;)
 
masso-support

masso-support

MASSO Support
Staff member
Stephen's on fire, thanks for your great work.

One question, a lot of people using routers want a touch probe but the high speed spindles are too small to hold a probe, have you seen or used a very small probe that others might find useful.
 
testyourdesign

testyourdesign

testyourdesign
@masso-support the probe I am using is very small compared the others I have seen or used. Once inserted into the mill spindle it only sticks out 76 mm to the tip of the probe. They offer a straight shank version with a 1/4 inch shaft that should fit most routers. I know CNC routers operators often use a corner style touch off plate that overlaps on two sides of the corner of the panel. It functions the same way as your Z plate does but it adds an X and Y boundary that is aligned with the sides of the panel so you can locate the origin. The G-Code I provided in the first post can easily be modified to work with one of those corner touch off plates. I have a design for one of those in the works that I can make and send you to try.

Cheers, Stephen Brown
 

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x-cnc

X - CNC
Very cool Stephen! Is there a way to set up a momentary push button that would initiate the zeroing of X, Y and z?
 
testyourdesign

testyourdesign

testyourdesign
@x-cnc

Yes.. Pushbutton switches could be used for touch off. The accuracy would likely decrease a little because of alignment and precision of the switch movement but depending on your application it could be a good solution.

BTW I found out that the manufacturer who made my Drewtronics Probe suffered a total loss of his machine shop and home in the horrible fires that burned down the city of Paradise California. He lost everything... His home, his shop, all his machinery, all the inventory, and tools were totally destroyed. Can't imagine how horrible that must have been for him and his family. The good news is that he has since moved to Texas and is in the process of rebuilding his business so he can offer these probes again in the future. Drewtronics Probe

Cheers, Stephen Brown
 
aussiemike

aussiemike

aussiemike
I ve been in touch with Andrew from Drewtronics about buying a probe. I guess he s up and running after his tragedy. I m heading to the US in July, so I ll get it then and save the shipping and gst. If anyone else from Australia wants one I could bring it back with me. Let me know.

Mike
 
testyourdesign

testyourdesign

testyourdesign
@aussiemike

He's been working hard to get back on his feet. That part of Texas is pretty far off the beaten path but should be a fun trip. Say hi to Andrew for me.

Cheers, Stephen Brown
 
aussiemike

aussiemike

aussiemike
I won t be going to Texas this trip, just taking advantage of the domestic shipping to Seattle. Maybe the next trip.
 
K

kiwicnc

KiwiCNC
Quote from testyourdesign on November 10, 2018, 2:08 pm

@steelcogs I plan on posting more sample codes for part center and hole center probing once I've tested them properly. By the time I figure it out they will probably have the new screen layout complete with those conversational options but I like this detailed learning process so I am going for it. Need to find out from @masso-support if we can have access to numbered parameters and named parameters through G-Code so we can use them to calculate the centers.

Cheers, Stephen Brown

Extended Masso Team Member
Click to expand...

Hi Stephen, fantasic work. I am also lookoing at the Drewtronics probe for setup.

I'm keen to use your GCODE/SOLTUION to manage my edge finding too

How di dyou get on with the whole and centre finding?...keen to learn more about your solution

Regrads

Ray
 
K

kiwicnc

KiwiCNC
Quote from testyourdesign on April 21, 2019, 11:14 pm

@aussiemike

He's been working hard to get back on his feet. That part of Texas is pretty far off the beaten path but should be a fun trip. Say hi to Andrew for me.

Cheers, Stephen Brown
Click to expand...

Hi Stephen,



I have jjst ordered my 5000LED from Andre....excited to see it arrive



Are yo able to share your latest GCODE. I also plan to run this sa AutoLoad1.nc and ctrol from a momentary switch on the front panel



Regards

Ray
 
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