Did you know...

[double a-ron]

I just found out you can use the renishaw probe to dial in a 4th axis. In fact if you look in the manual I found online there are all kinds of cool things you can do with it thats not in "quick code". Angle measurement, 3 point bore measure, but the rotary thing is by far my favorite. It even updates the g54 "A" offset. I enclosed the manual so everyone can enjoy.

[Donkey Hotey]

While the previous post is very informative (and true), you need to check your machine and make sure you have all those programs loaded. Yes, it's true. For some reason, my 2004 VF-2 came with some--but not all--of the probing routines described in the manual.

After verifying that I had indeed bought the probing package, my HFO supplied me with the complete set of programs to reload.

Another useful program in there is one that uses a pin or boss instead of a ring gauge to calibrate the probe.

[MILLMARK]

Very cool. I knew we weren't using ours to full potential. Also have an "amusing" story about these probes. We were installing a brand new VF2 next to another one, 8 or 10 feet apart, doors facing each other. A guy was probing a part on the older machine, and another had just put batteries in the new probe, ready to put it in the spindle. It suddenly started flashing like it was activated, and the probe on the other mill crashed HARD into the part it was probing. We realized that the receivers were directly in line with each other, and were sending and receiving to both probes at the same time. Very expensive lesson, as one probe was demolished

[double a-ron]

I believe there is a setting in the "elusive" manual that changes the power of the signal for placing machines close to each other.

[Vern Smith]

I use mine to check up on myself

I have a piece I make regularly that involves removing bolts that are holding the work piece down on the fixture plate. To keep everything in register two of the bolts are left in place while several clamps are installed. After the clamps are installed the last two bolts are removed, unless the dumb ass operator (me) forgets. If you forget to remove the last two bolts you ruin an end mill in short order.

I now send the probe to a position above the hole the bolt should not be in and do a depth measurement off to the side just enough to miss the hole but fault out on the bolt head if it's still there. Works like a charm.

Vern

[pit202]

Originally Posted by double a-ron 3 point bore measure, but the rotary thing is by far my favorite.

But do not forget to calibrate the probe with a vector calibration macro ;-)

Peter

[double a-ron]

Vern, I like that. Lets keep these ideas flowing. I think we should be doing more with our pricey probes than what a cheap edge finder can do.

pit202, did I miss something? What is a "vector calibration macro" and is it something I should have done before I used the probe to dial in the rotary axis? Let me know, although if it was it's too late now because I've already started running the job.

[christinandavid]

Don't think you'll need to go to those lengths just to check the angle of a flat surface, as long as your probe is moving in same direction for each point measured.

It improves accuracy of three-point circle probing I believe.

DP

[pit202]

normally probing is moving separate in X or Y , this is requiring a fully normal calibration you done before, but for all other probing when the probe moves in X and Y axis together you need a more complex calibration , because the probe need to calibrate the stylus for other angular moves , there are more calibration data than #558 and #559 , see in the manual cycle 9804 , site 6-14 .

Peter

[TheBigJW]

Just got ours installed on a new Mori Dura 5100. We are lined up for probe school next week. Looks like lots of great info here. It has the fourth axis as well. DDRT210 fourth.

I will try and share what I learn.

John

[dougtyler]

If anybody is interested. I've written a probe macro for checking more than 4 points for a bore or boss (up to 40). We ran across a rework job where we needed to be centered on a bore that was not quite round. It was written for a Fanuc controller but I'm sure it could be modified to work on a Haas machine. Plus, I would like to get some feedback on how useful it is.

[guypb]

Originally Posted by dougtyler If anybody is interested. I've written a probe macro for checking more than 4 points for a bore or boss (up to 40). We ran across a rework job where we needed to be centered on a bore that was not quite round. It was written for a Fanuc controller but I'm sure it could be modified to work on a Haas machine. Plus, I would like to get some feedback on how useful it is.

I'm interested and could adapt it to a Haas. I have seen a couple of versions before and attempted one myself. What output besides centre and average diameter does it produce? I'm interested to see if anyone can do maximum inscribed diameter on an ID and minimum circumscribed diameter on an OD.