3d probing, must be a faster/better way!!

[Tristar500]

Ok, I'm using the "digitizing wizard in mach 2/3" .

It's basically a "bed or nails type process whereas the z probe moves up and down for every point based on the step-over for x and y.

What would really speed things up would be program that would command the probe to move horizontally as well as in z to provide a more expeditious result.

Anybody have anything better the the simple up/down/move to next point?

L

[ger21]

Download the digitizing plugin. http://www.machsupport.com/plugins/Probing.m3p

Double click the file after you download it to install it.

[Tristar500]

Is this probing wizard different from the older version. The older version was still a simple "bed of nails" brute force algorithm.

L

Originally Posted by ger21 Download the digitizing plugin. http://www.machsupport.com/plugins/Probing.m3p Double click the file after you download it to install it.

[ger21]

Yes, it's different.

[HAMMER66]

I have just procured a new machine probing software package from M&H Probing Systems. The software is very affordable and pretty much bullet proof. With this software in 5 axis mode, the probe utilizes I,J,K vectors for optimum performance. Check them out on the web.

Chris

[MichaelHenry]

Originally Posted by HAMMER66 I have just procured a new machine probing software package from M&H Probing Systems. The software is very affordable and pretty much bullet proof. With this software in 5 axis mode, the probe utilizes I,J,K vectors for optimum performance. Check them out on the web. Chris

How do you classify affordable: $100, $1,000, or $10,000?

I checked their web site and they don't mention prices at all that I could see.

Mike

[Tristar500]

Originally Posted by ger21 Yes, it's different.

I downloaded the new wizard and it just does the same thing as the old version.

Up/down until it strikes object, all the way back up, repeat.

Why am I not seeing anything different??

Larry

[ger21]

It's not a wizard. You're using the same one as before. It's a plugin, and should be under the plugin menu.

[Tristar500]

OK, thanks for the help all.

I got it working!

A couple of things I can pass on to others who might have some of the same issues I had.

I had multiple versions of mach 3 on the computer controlling the cnc mill. (bad idea!) When you install the digitizer plug-in it will only install to one of the versions. (in my case, not the one I needed)

Will post some scan's in the near future.

L

[Tristar500]

Whoops, spoke too soon.

Still get Previous SEQ ... and the file where the point cloud is to be written is empty.

Arrrrgh!!!

[ger21]

I think I gave you some bad info. I've never used the plugin, so was going by memory.

Did you use Configure > Config Plugins to enable it, then restart Mach3 and it had it's own menu item (3D Probing)? (Just to make sure it's the right one).

Then, are you using Probe Object with Grid?

That's the one I was talking about.

What version of mach3 are you using?

I saw a post on the Mach forum asking about pausing or stopping the scan, but there were no replies. So, it doesn't appear that you can stop it.

Here's the original thead on it from Art when he wrote it. You might find some help in there.

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/ind...ic,1196.0.html

[Tristar500]

Hey Gerry,

Thanks for the help here.

I'm using the plugin and have do everything you outlined in your post. I'm using probe with grid. Using the very latest (non beta of Mach3)

I'm going to try to install it on another computer and see if the software runs any dif on it.

L

Originally Posted by ger21 I think I gave you some bad info. I've never used the plugin, so was going by memory. Did you use Configure > Config Plugins to enable it, then restart Mach3 and it had it's own menu item (3D Probing)? (Just to make sure it's the right one). Then, are you using Probe Object with Grid? That's the one I was talking about. What version of mach3 are you using? I saw a post on the Mach forum asking about pausing or stopping the scan, but there were no replies. So, it doesn't appear that you can stop it. Here's the original thead on it from Art when he wrote it. You might find some help in there. http://www.machsupport.com/forum/ind...ic,1196.0.html