Mazak and Renishaw probes

[sunfire03]

I have been reading thru some other posts on renishaw probes on Mazak. Does the machine itself require any pre-installed options to allow the setup and install of probing capability? The machine is a VTC-20B, Mazatrol M32B, circa 6-95. Also has tool set post at right rear of table.

[MazakMikeO]

I worked on a VTC-20C, which had a Renishaw system installed, it was on the M Plus control though. Seemed to fit right in, I think any extra software needed came from Renishaw. Only problem was that Mazatrol does not protect the probe. If you tell it to go somewhere it does, regardless of what is in its path. Using it in ISO mode protects it a bit, if something touches the stylus it stops. But it is far easier to program in Mazatrol.

[psychomill]

To me, Mazatrol is easier to program a probe, but EIA is much more controllable. In Mazatrol, it doesn't utilize any safety moves (although that can be changed). In EIA, you can move with the skip on to avoid crashes.

Renishaw (or most competent probe dealers) can install the probe, hardware and software without any issues. The M32 will have no problem and I've run many M32s with probes. If you want it on the Mazatrol side though, you'll need Mazak involved.

[LarryA]

To me, Mazatrol is easier to program a probe, but EIA is much more controllable. In Mazatrol, it doesn't utilize any safety moves (although that can be changed). In EIA, you can move with the skip on to avoid crashes.

Renishaw (or most competent probe dealers) can install the probe, hardware and software without any issues. The M32 will have no problem and I've run many M32s with probes. If you want it on the Mazatrol side though, you'll need Mazak involved.

Not really sure exactly what you are saying here but I've been running an M-32 control for the last six years, and now a Nexus Matrix control. Both have a Skip Distance entry in the MMS line. I've never had a probe crash and use the probe on a regular basis. The Renishaw probes that I've seen have a huge amount of tip movement and I would think tjat it would require a major programing mistake in Mazatrol to have a probe crash (unless the probe fails to make signal connection with the control.

[MazakMikeO]

The probe I used had a ceramic stylus so if you did smack it too hard, it broke without damaging the main body. If you have a real bad screw up and smack the body, well that's an expensive mistake to make. Believe me I know!

[psychomill]

Both have a Skip Distance entry in the MMS line.

I wasn't clear here... not what I was talking about. What I should've said is that Mazatrol moves the probe in rapid between skips. If you're using the old MP3s with a steel stylus, the machine will probably catch it. I used use a 5" ceramic one on the old MP3s and the machine wasn't quick enough in Mazatrol mode to catch a bad move or even sometimes a chip in the way. When we ran it using EIA, you can set feed rates during protected moves to avoid this. Now, I use MP700s with a 8" long carbon stylus on the newer machines. Mazatrol really has a tough time with that... always bombing it out. Of course, I don't program mills in Mazatrol anyway so its a moot point.

[newguy81]

I use my MP-3 probes all the time and if you take just a minute to layout a plan you shouldn't have any crash issues. I use a sub program if I need a longer or shorter Initial Z for clearance and just set your skip distance based on the accuracy of your part. i.e. castings need a longer skip than a pre-machined part. Can't comment on the G-code side as I don't ever use it. I will say this though, that baby is worth it's weight in GOLD at the end of the day, never again shall I sweep!!! Good luck.

[sunfire03]

Thanks everybody, I am working on plan to get a quote to add this to our Mazak. We just a couple of months ago got our smartscope outfitted with touchprobe capability, which got me started thinking about the mill. Thanks again.

[MazakMikeO]

It certainly does save time when it's up and running. It's also handy for offsetting the theta value when using with pcd holes etc.

[Bloodeye]

To me, Mazatrol is easier to program a probe, but EIA is much more controllable. In Mazatrol, it doesn't utilize any safety moves (although that can be changed). In EIA, you can move with the skip on to avoid crashes.

Renishaw (or most competent probe dealers) can install the probe, hardware and software without any issues. The M32 will have no problem and I've run many M32s with probes. If you want it on the Mazatrol side though, you'll need Mazak involved.

Can you give an example of probing using EIA? Are there M-Codes for that or sub-routines involved? I think I looked thru the manuals once on probing with EIA and didn't see anything. Any help with this would be great...

[Bloodeye]

To me, Mazatrol is easier to program a probe, but EIA is much more controllable. In Mazatrol, it doesn't utilize any safety moves (although that can be changed). In EIA, you can move with the skip on to avoid crashes.

Renishaw (or most competent probe dealers) can install the probe, hardware and software without any issues. The M32 will have no problem and I've run many M32s with probes. If you want it on the Mazatrol side though, you'll need Mazak involved.

Can you give an example of EIA probing?
I've looked thru the manuals before and didn't see anything on this.
Any help would be great...

[psychomill]

Only if you bought EIA probing option from Mazak. Then, you'd have the Renishaw Inspection Plus software installed on the machine and it comes with a programming book. Otherwise, you'll need to have the software installed. It comes with a boat load of "canned cycles" or sub routines to do all sorts of probing. The programming is not complex at all with them. Check your machine if your unsure about the software. If you look in the program directory, you should see a bunch of 9000 programs for probing (provided someone didn't remove them from the machine). We can go from there...