Floating torch design idea

[panozeng]

I recently received my DTHC kit from Candcnc, and need to update the torch mount to implement it. It appears to me that most people utilize two sets of slides to accomplish this, but that seems like extra cost and weight to me. I was wondering if anyone had other ideas to achieve the initial material height sensing that did not use 2 separate sets of sliders.

Here is my idea: Mount the torch to the carriage on a typical set of linear slides. I'm going to use an acme leadscrew to lift the torch, and I'm thinking that I could make the junction between the acme nut and the torch carrier the sensing point. I'm thinking a nut block with a pair of slots in it about 1/4" long. The block would attach to the torch carrier with a pair of shoulder bolts that fit the slots and allowed the nut to then slide relative to the carrier. It would then be easy to add the microswitch to sense the point where the torch stops moving and the nut doesn't.

Any simpler ideas?

[Torchhead]

Sounds like a lot of extra work to replace something that you can build pretty cheap. There are usually small short linear bearings on EBAY cheap and that with a small subplate and the switch is all y0u need. You will have to have a torch holder anyway.

We are in the design process of an ohmic touch off add-on. You will still need the floating holder and switch as a backup in case the ohmic does not work.