Fanuc 15M Probe Retrofit

[stang623]

I would like to know whats involved with this. We are going to be machining more and more castings and we cant afford to mess any of them up. Is there a company that does this? I would like to know what the associated cost would be and how technically challenging it is. We do a lot of our own repair so we may be able to do it in house. Thoughts comments on this please.

Its a fanuc 15M on a Kitamura H400. Its a little older but damn if it doesnt make good parts. The endmills last about 4 times longer than our linear way Mori as well.

Thanks,
Anthony

[Al_The_Man]

It mostly entails hardware, the probe itself and the G31 skip input, which should be present, the standard skip should work in most cases, if high speed skip is required, an add on card is needed.
The biggest expense is the probe itself if going with something like a Renishaw.
Heidenhain sells probes that may be more cost effective.
Any Fanuc technical service company should be able to help.
Al.

[stang623]

Al,
What is the skip function? I see it mentioned quite a bit, what is it used for? Any quick examples you can give?

Any thoughts on the best way to find a fanuc technical company? I would like to think calling fanuc and asking them would help, I'm nervous about the expense there though becuase its an official fanuc company.

I would also like to buy a used probe but I doubt any official fanuc companies would install it. Thoughts suggestions. Please keep them coming as I see you seem to know your stuff.

Thanks,
Anthony

[Al_The_Man]

The skip input is a physical input that just recognizes the contact closure when the probe is deflected and G31 is programmed.
Most Fanuc systems come with at least the standard input.
I have fitted one using a Heidenhain probe, the other thing I forgot to mention is that you also need the skip macro's from the probe manuf. , unless you write them yourself.
Incidentally, once the probe is in the spindle, you should not have any moves without G31, even when initial positioning there should be an initial anti-collision move.
If you want cordless operation by infra-red etc, when the probe is used in a tool changer for example, then this is usually at a much higher probe cost.
Al.

[Allyd]

Basically skip function means that you program a move say 100mm but monitor the skip input ( the probe is attached to this input). When the input goes high the move is stopped and the position can be recorded. the normal action then is to move away from the skip position and then decide what to do with the position data. The macro program deal with the nitty gritty of this.

Note of caution with online measuring. Because you use the same feed back system to machine as to measure the is the possibility that if there is an error you will get an OK measure on a bad part. We used to say if the probe gave us an OK then this is a guide not 100%. If we got a NOK it was probably right. Only probably as you can always get a faulty probe or a dirty stylus.

Quick tip on an inra red probe if you are not sure if the probe is signalling look at it through a video camera and triger it. If it is outputing it will show as a flash on the screen. Its how we used to test the renishaw heads before deciding to send them for repair.Saved an awful lotof time and money.

[stang623]

Can either of you guys give me some idea on cost buying new? A price on plug in and infrared would be nice.

Anthony

[Allyd]

Afraid UK costs not relevant

[Gary C]

Our company sells & installs renishaw probes on machine tools throughout N. America. The probe hardware cost around $6000. If you want us to install and train your looking at another 4K. You may need some options in the control which we can discuss and supply.

Our website is www.cnc1.com

Our probe specialist is Mike Bancroft
MBancroft@cnc1.com
860 749-1780 x3016

hope this helps

Gary Caravella
CNC Engineering

[stevo1]

What model 15M-A or B? What exactly are you looking for? Connection manual I/O? BMI interface?

Stevo

[stevo1]

Send me a PM with your email address. I will dig up what I can.

Stevo

[stang623]

Its been a while since I posted this originally, would still like to do this but I dont think I can swing anything new. I have done some research on my machine and I know it has tool height probe on it so I'm guessing it has high speed skip, can someone confirm this or give me a quick test to confirm this? Looks like there is a G31.1 and G31.2 in some of the old documentation and programs from the last home.

My newest question is this, would someone here be willing to help me pick out an ebay system? Looks like there are a lot of MP8 and MP10 probes on there, maybe I could buy some stuff used like the probe and some stuff new the wireless pickup sensor? I am looking for something reliable, do you think I could do this reliably? I would guess that the renishaw stuff is fairly rock solid being that they seem to dominate the marketplace.

Thanks,
Anthony

[msa]

Hi

Kitamura is prepared for renishaw probes.

best regards

Michael Andersen
Danish kitamura technician