hy i just googled those :
... 600 : can handle complex 3d shapes, trigger force 0.15N, accuracy 0.25um
... 400 : 0.65N, 0.25um
* way too precise for common applications
... 60 : 0.75N, 1um
... 40 : 0.5N, 1um
* these 2 are "normal "; let's compare them :
- overtravel : 12.5degrees6mm vs 18degrees11mm : the 60 has more overtravel, so it may help in case of wrong usage just kidding, the difference is pretty small, so is more an act of luck in case of a crash
- stand-by life pretty similar : 1900 vs 1800 days
- size : 40x50 vs 63x76
- stylus : both allow multiple variants
- available actions with Renishaw Inspection Plus Software :
____• X or Y or Z single surface measure
____• Web/pocket measure
____• 4 point bore/boss measure
____• Internal/external corner
____• 3 point bore/boss vector measure
____• Angled XY surface measure
____• Holes on a pitch circle diameter (PCD) ie: Bolt holepatterns
____• 4th axis measure. Can be modified for 4th and 5thaxis applications
____• Stock allowance
____• Multi-stylus calibration with option to run multipleprobes with different stylus angles
____• Calibration on a ring or sphere available
____• XYZ single surface vector measurement
____• Optional software available for true 3D andform measurement
from that list, the only critical item is the 1st one : " X or Y or Z single surface measure ", that can be delivered without buying Renishaw Inspection Plus Software, thus you can save your money thus all you need to get started, is a probe, and 3+2 macros : for X, for Y, for Z, for internal circle, and external circle; oh, and a calibration ring
those basic 5 macros can be combined/chained to generate all the other items on that list, except for " XYZ single surface vector measurement " and " 3 point bore/boss vector measure ", which is advance stuff for complex 3D shapes, and is rarely used inside cnc machines; it is more used by cmm machines, and requires a calibration sphere
the probe is controled by macros :
... deliverd from your dealer ( free )
... or generated from :
...... xls file ( requires xls machining spec and xls api )
...... okuma app ( free, but requires api )
...... renishaw simple software
...... renishaw complex software
i would go for the 40 with a 100mm stylus + basic macros; the 400&600 are ok with a 5axis machine, that is in very good condition, and is running parts that requires in machine measuring instead of cmm; even so, for a 5 axis machine, you may consider the 40, because it is capable of true 3d measurement
don't worry about palpator tir : even if it wobbles 1mm, you can still get microns accuracy, by repeating the measurement at 180 degrees spindle phase, then mediate the values; however, such an approach requires a non standard calibration; similar stuff can be done with 3d tasters
consider blocking a magazine pot only for your renishaw, so not to get chips on it's toolholder from a regular tool being stored in a messy pot; also, at least at the begining, use a marker and draw a sign on the face of the toolholder that is towards the doors, so to be sure you always use it at identical spindle phase ( is easy to mess up and end with a 180* flipped renishaw, whithout being aware; at the begining, this may not matter, but in time you may start looking into this ... )
using okuma's file asignment functions, you can generate reports ( txt or fancy xls files ), perform go/no-go logic based on measurement data, etc / kindly