Cheap home made Touch Probe.

[kiwichris]

Very cool...

I'm using EMC2, and i see it has touch probe functionality as well... Hmmmmm, too many projects, not enough time.

[Evolution VIII]

Originally Posted by mikegasman I use mach3 to run the probe and my machine. The digitizing wizard in mach3 works good when probing the writing on the wrench it comes down in the z axes and records the position that’s all I’ve done with it so fare it will activate going in the XYZ position. Was just sharing what I made with every one who mite want to play with a probe but don’t have the money for it or the time to make a fancy one.

Can you explain configuration on Mach 3 Digitizing wizard?

1. Width (x) of digitizing area = X size of the part to digitize.
2. Height (y) of digitizing area = Y size of the part to digitize.
3. Z axis travel height = ???
4. Z axis Probe Depth = ???
5. X Stepover = ???
6. Y Stepover = ???
7. Feedrate = ???

Thanks

[topmack]

Mikegasman,
Where does this probe connect to the computer/controller? How does the Mach3 program work with the probe?
Thanx for your time,
Tom

[turmite]

Originally Posted by Evolution VIII Can you explain configuration on Mach 3 Digitizing wizard? 1. Width (x) of digitizing area = X size of the part to digitize.max distance the x axis will cover 2. Height (y) of digitizing area = Y size of the part to digitize.See above 3. Z axis travel height = ???The start position of the z axis 4. Z axis Probe Depth = ???the bottom of the z sroke 5. X Stepover = ???Distance between each probe on the x axis 6. Y Stepover = ???See above 7. Feedrate = ???Feedrate the probe will contact the part. Thanks

I would highly recommend you try the 3d probe plugin rather than the wizard. Much faster. It is a little different in the setup but not by much.

Mike

[turmite]

Originally Posted by topmack Mikegasman, Where does this probe connect to the computer/controller? How does the Mach3 program work with the probe? Thanx for your time, Tom

Tom the probe leads connect to a switch input. I use the -z as my default and have it set up in the Mach config to use as my probe input.....I think! It's getting too late and I need to go to bed, but I think that is correct.

Mike

[topmack]

Mike,
So one wire goes to the 'Z' input on the controller & the other wire goes to ... where?
Also, when I configure the scanning wizard in Mach 3, is the input signal call ed z home, --z or ++z? I just don't want to connect up everything & then burn out something on my controller.
Thanx again,
Tom

[turmite]

Originally Posted by topmack Mike, So one wire goes to the 'Z' input on the controller & the other wire goes to ... where? Also, when I configure the scanning wizard in Mach 3, is the input signal call ed z home, --z or ++z? I just don't want to connect up everything & then burn out something on my controller. Thanx again, Tom

Tom before you go any further, take a breath! Now tell me about your machine, and whether or not you have a breakout board. If so, how many axis etc.

To answer your above questions..........no! Don't do anything else till we get you comfortable.

Mike

[topmack]

Mike,
First, I want to thank you for your time & second, I really appreciate helping with the details of this project.
I have a StepMasterNC Bipolar Micro-Stepping 3-Axis Controller Board that connects between my computer & my router. I understand that the Mach3 software wizard will run the program for the scan, however I don't understand the route the signal takes to get the information from the probe back to Mach3.
Thanx again,
Tom

[turmite]

Tom if you will look on your controller board you should see terminals for limit switches. There should be places for two switches per axis, one positive and one negative. In the case of the z axis, I used my negative limit switch to build a tool set switch which kinda acted like a probe, only in reverse, but still used the probe function. My actual probe for digitizing is wired directly to the limit switch cable running back to my breakout board, (Campbell by Sound Logic) that is connected to my z axis negative or lower limit switch terminals.

Two wires is it. I hope this helps.

Mike

edited: Did you build this board from a kit? Photos?

[topmack]

Mike,
Thanx for the info; I am giving you the link to 'http://www.stepmasternc.com/datasheet3axissop-1.pdf' for the board I am using (I think/ it is in a case & I haven't opened it yet). If you look at the board layout, it shows several edge connectors on the right hand side. I believe I would connect one of the wires of the probe to ground & the other one to the 'z' axis. I am sending an email to the company to ask them the same question.
Thanx again; if you can think of anything else that would help me (everyone), please let me know.
Tom

[turmite]

Tom according to the pdf, the probe hooks to the 5+vdc Log (logic) terminal and the ground. Are these servos? I see encoder connections.

Mike

[topmack]

Mike,
Beats the hay out of me. I have emailed the maker/ hopefully they can enlight us.
Tom