Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

BillB wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 4:34 pm Hey all, Im working on getting my mill set up and thinking about probe setup. What are the benefits of using the Probe app Vs just using the probing functions in CNC12? And is probing included in the free version?

swissi wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 10:51 pm

BillB wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 4:34 pm Hey all, Im working on getting my mill set up and thinking about probe setup. What are the benefits of using the Probe app Vs just using the probing functions in CNC12? And is probing included in the free version?

The ProbeApp has many benefits over the built in probing cycles but it depends on the type of tool holding (collets or exchangeable tool holders) and the type of probing devices you have if you can take advantage of these benefits or not.

If you give more details about your machine and the type of tool holding and probing devices you have I can give you more details about the benefits the ProbeApp will give you over the standard built in probing cycles.

-swissi

BillB wrote: ↑Tue May 24, 2022 5:00 pm
I spoke to you about his in the past not sure what post.

Anyways the machine is a 3-axis Sherline mini mill with 4th axis. There is 2 tool holding options I will be using. One is a R8 type collet but is MICRO sized, but there is a drawbar/bold that pulls the tool holder into the spindle taper to hold the tool in the collet. So repeatability is questionable I assume? The second option is a rigid tool holder that gets threaded onto the spindle. The tools are set and screwed into place. I remember asking Karl at Sherline how repeatable this option is and I think he said it was pretty good. No ATC or anything fancy on this set up so all manual tool changes. I WILL be using this machine for a specific indexing & 4th axis setup to cut a hex head on a really small valve part, stock is .375. So Probing to establish centerline alignment would be really nice to have. Other than that use its a general use machine with and with 4th axis.

https://www.sherline.com/product/306030 ... llet-sets/
https://www.sherline.com/product/3079-end-mill-holders/
https://www.sherline.com/product/3052s- ... ght-shaft/

You might remember this from our past conversation but this is the probe Im looking at getting because it is very low profile and seems like it will fit in the machine well with my 4th axis set up.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/203197196915?h ... SwB0lhTJ4I

• Mount the rectangular stock into your vise

• Insert the Touch Probe into the spindle

• Use the ProbeApp 3-Axes corner cycle to set WCS X0 Y0 Z0 at the Stock corner with one probing cycle (the CNC12 built in probing cycles do not offer a single 3-Axes cycle):
  
  

  

• With the Touch Probe still in the spindle, run the ProbeApp Tool Setter cycle that will measure the reference height offset between the top of your stock and the top of the fixed Tool Touch Off device. Make sure the checkbox “Use current WCS Z0…” is checked. This will move the Touch Probe directly to the fixed Tool Touch Off device to measure the reference height offset:
  
  

  

• Now insert the first tool and then run the ProbeApp ToolSetter cycle again. This will touch off the tool automatically on your fixed Tool Touch Off device and will adjust the WCS Z0 for this tool to the top of your stock based on the reference height that was established with the Touch Probe
  
  

  

• Repeat the above step for all subsequent tools needed in your job file

BillB wrote: ↑Thu May 26, 2022 4:16 pm I am primarily setting up this little mill for 4th axis work most 3 axis stuff done on my Tormach. So let me ask you this, Are there any specific probing routines for establishing the centerline and end of the stock of round stock that is fixed in rotary jaws? Stock will be parallel with the machine table.

Also what If I dont want to use a fixed location for the tool setter? It's a big commitment in table size based on my tiny little table and the tool setter I have which is pretty big in diameter. Can I set it up to be fixed, then when it scans offset just manually place it in the correct location?

BillB wrote: ↑Thu May 26, 2022 8:49 pm COOL! thanks can you remind me is there anything special regarding requirements for the probe to have so it works with Acorn and Probe App? Also can you provide the download link I dont remember how you do distribution but do remember its donationware? right?

This is the probe Im going to buy, can you offer any input on it? Do you have any users who have used it? and can you let me know if it is compatible with Probe App and Acorn before I purchase it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/203197196915?h ... SwB0lhTJ4I