Hooking up Touch Probe

[apeman88]

I bought an econo touch probe (http://www.wildhorse-innovations.com...d&productId=80) a few years back and never hooked it up. Just found it and would like to use it with my Tormach and having some problems hooking it up.

The Econo probe is a NC circuit (circuit complete until probe tip hits breaking circuit) and pin 5 of the input on the Tormach panel is a negative trigger (trips when negative signal is given). So in a sense, it needs to be reverse (either Econo Probe or the Tormach/Mach 3 trigger).

I understand I can ask Tormach for the Mach 3 files and change the input to active... but without modding the Tormach/mach3 settings... is there a way to hook this up so it will work? Anyone else got this probe? What did you guys do?

I'm thinking about finding a NC Photovoltaic Relay to hook it up inside the econo Probe so it will reverse the signal. Not sure if this is a good idea. Reason for this is to keep the Tormach as original as possible and also to make the LED on the Econo Probe work.

[davidperry3]

I have that one. The fix is in the XML file. Tormach will tell you how to do it... after you sign away your warrenty. It takes about 30 seconds to change the file and you will kik yourself for not figuring it out in the first place. I agreed not to tell, so in the interest of not antagonizing them this is all you get :-)
If your warrenty is out anyway then it won't matter. If I remember right this saved me about $1500 over their probe and tool setter.

[apeman88]

Thanks.... warranty has been gone for 2yrs so not worried about that.

Can you advise after the config changes the LED on the probe will still not work? Looking at the circuit... I don't think it will. This is part of the reason I was thinking about hooking up a relay to swap the hi/lo output but am afraid of the relay delay.

[davidperry3]

I will have to look. I don't have it up on this job. I will let you know in a few days. It seems like there was a way to make the LED work depending on how you wired up the plug. If nothing else just contact the Wildhorse guy he was very helpful to me.

[davidperry3]

I hooked my probe back up and the LED (on the probe and the screen) does come on when touched.

[apeman88]

I hooked my probe back up and the LED (on the probe and the screen) does come on when touched.

Really??? Humm.... For me... the screen LED comes on but the LED on the body of the probe is not working. I took it apart and understand the probe is basically a NC switch and it will open when probe tip is moved. I can wire it so the LED is on and when it touch, the LED goes off but cannot wire it where the LED is OFF and turns on when it touches. Do you remember how you wired it up?

Thanks for the confirmation. I'll have to tear my apart and try to figure it out.

[davidperry3]

No I don't remember the wire combinations. Call the guy at WildHorse he will tell you how to do it.

[Matt Clara]

How do you guys like your econo-probes? I'm thinking of purchasing one, but there's not a single review of the part anywhere I can find. I see I've found my way to a metal working forum--will the econo-probe still work on wood? From its description, I'd say it should, but all the examples show it as metal probe touching metal part.

[M250cnc]

Matt Clara

The answer to your question is yes it will work for wood

Then again you would spend more money that you need a better option for wood workers would be a cross hair laser. There have beeen some threads over on the Mach3 forum about them.

As an owner of one which i bought for $100 i would say they are at the lower end of quality.

If you are a precision engineer like me rather than DIY engineer then you may be disappointed in the design/quality

I re engineered mine and am now extremely happy with it.

I made my own height setter that works on the same principal but it is only 15mm high


Phil

[apeman88]

For $100, I have no complaints. Yes, it is not a super high quality unit but then again, it didn't cost $2000+. It's not a Renishaw.

That being said, the econo probe works very well. It is based on touch and not conductive so it will work with any type of material including wood.

I would love to get a really nice touch probe (Tormach or Renishaw)... but as a hobbyist, still can't justify the cost.... so got my eye on eBay for now. :-)

[Matt Clara]

Thanks guys. I also want to use it to "trace" objects with my router/mach 3, creating 3D models out of the resultant information. Wildhorse says it'll work fine for that, so I'm going to go for it.

[Magnum164]

Thanks guys. I also want to use it to "trace" objects with my router/mach 3, creating 3D models out of the resultant information. Wildhorse says it'll work fine for that, so I'm going to go for it.

I debated going that route but broke down and bought a Microscribe unit. It can also be used for part qualification as well. But the price is a little more unless you can find a good used one.