Touch probe as edge finder

[student1616]

Hello all,
i was looking for complete DIY edge finder.
i saw some videos,where they used PCB to touch the Z axis and laser cross for X and Y.
but i wanted all in one.so can we do that using a simple touch probe?
the below article has DIY data for an excellent touch probe.
http://www.vinland.com/Touch-Probe.html
can we use the same method for edge finder?
of course one needs to calibrate the assembly.

Regards

[dertsap]

i did a rough sketch of one i whipped up to test the design http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...=23120&page=12 , it simple , straight forward and it works great to probe x and y , i have no use for probing in z because i qualify my tools from the top of the part but it could easily be setup to probe in z as well

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYVXcqp1tCY

[student1616]

nice and thanks for the reply.
this is what i had in my mind.but can you confirm the repeatability and accuracy.i belive if one can make this perfectly this idea will definitely work for 3 axes.have you used mach3 for it? how did you made the macro to run with the mach3.
i'll be thankful if you could share some more data bat that probe.
and if possible give me some rough dimensions of the probe.
Regards

[dertsap]

it works with mach
the accuracy is pretty much deadnuts , if its made properly and its going on a diy machine then the probe will most likely be more accurate than the machine itself

it was made with an idea and no real plan so as far as dimensions oal is roughly 3- 3.5" ,largest od 3/4" and the shank dia is 1/2" , the rest i will let you use your imagination and engeneer it from there because the rest of the stuff is inside the probe , plus maybe you can add to the idea
if your going to build it then i suggest you make the end cap so that it is a very slight press fit , this will hold the cap dead center and keep the accuracy , everything has to be dead on Concentric or it will no work well

[student1616]

thanks for the reply.i'll try to replicate ur design.
what abt mach3.what and how shld i tell the mach to take these inputs.i think there is no existing setting to use such probe in mach3.