CHIPS (CNC12 Highly Intuitive Probing System). The must have Add-On for CNC12

[cnckeith]

Done

[Eric]

Hi Swissi,

I was wondering what is the reason gor fix tool holder requirement in Mode 1. Could you elaborate bit more to help understand better? My machine has everything except the tool holder, which the spindle uses ER20 collet system. How much accuracy will I be losing or what is the compromise if use CHIPS in Mode 1?

Thanks!

[Nigelo]

Eric
There is no compromise in any of the 3 modes. Mode 1 (and mode 2) is specifically designed for Fixed toolholders where you make use of the Tool Library for both Diameter AND Tool length Offset. If you have an ER collet chuck on the Spindle, i.e. non-fixed Toolholders, you cannot accurately use Tool lib length offsets as the tool length will differ every time the tool is mounted in the Collet chuck.

For your setup, Swissi provides Ops Mode 3 where the tool length offset is measured within every job each time it is used i.e. Tool length offsets from the Library are NOT used. Tool diameters are still stored in the Tool lib of course. In this case CHIPS effectively calculates and sets a pseudo length offset compared to workpiece height which is very useful when running a job requiring multiple tool changes. The accuracy depends only on the tools you use for Z WCS and Tool Touch off. This is precisely the same as would be the case for both OPs Modes 1 and 2 and therefore no difference in accuracy at all.

FYI, during beta testing I have tested Ops Mode 3 on my router with ER25 chuck (still using Mill software) and Ops Modes 1 and 2 on my Mill with Fixed holders.

Perhaps not your case but you cannot normally run Ops Mode 1 rotational tool diameter probing on a router even with Fixed tool holders as it requires reverse spindle rotation at approx 800 rpm which many routers cannot accommodate.

[Eric]

Hi Nigelo,

Ah, thank you for the explanation and that makes sense! If that is the case then I can make use of short chuck extension or length ring to make sure the tool length is fixed.

Also, my machine has VFD spindle which can do the CCW with low rpm.

With that being said and if I’m not missing anything else then I can take full advantage of Mode 1 and it will be close to TIR precision correct?

Finally, just as a quick suggestion, it would be great if the CHIPS manual clarifies this saying “fixed length tool holder”, so that it will be bit more clear.

Thanks Nigel!

[swissi]

Hi Nigelo,

Ah, thank you for the explanation and that makes sense! If that is the case then I can make use of short chuck extension or length ring to make sure the tool length is fixed.

Also, my machine has VFD spindle which can do the CCW with low rpm.

With that being said and if I’m not missing anything else then I can take full advantage of Mode 1 and it will be close to TIR precision correct?

Finally, just as a quick suggestion, it would be great if the CHIPS manual clarifies this saying “fixed length tool holder”, so that it will be bit more clear.

Thanks Nigel!

Thanks to Nigel to clarify the differences between Operation Mode 1, 2 and 3. Regarding the precision, you need to experiment with the repeatability of using length rings by repeatedly re-mounting the same tool, run a tool height offset measurement and use the Z-axis machine coordinate to compare the different measurement. If you get a repeatability that's acceptable to you, you should be able to use CHIPS Operation Mode 1 with your machine setup.

-swissi

[hivoltage]

There is so much to unpack.
Thanks for your hard work and I am looking forward to exploring its use on my system.
I have never tried API stuff before but it sounds fascinating.

[johannes]

Is there an option or mode where I can set WCS Z0 manually using the wireless remote when I start the job using the first tool.
And then, have a tool change routine where the first tool is measured on a fixed Tool Touch device at G30 P3 - then you change tool - then the new tool is measured.

Or is there a better way to do it when I don't have a movable sensor - only a fixed TT - and ER32 collets.
I do have precision/repeatable homing on Z, though.

[swissi]

Is there an option or mode where I can set WCS Z0 manually using the wireless remote when I start the job using the first tool.
And then, have a tool change routine where the first tool is measured on a fixed Tool Touch device at G30 P3 - then you change tool - then the new tool is measured.

Or is there a better way to do it when I don't have a movable sensor - only a fixed TT - and ER32 collets.
I do have precision/repeatable homing on Z, though.

CHIPS does support a workflow for non-fixed tool holding (collets) and only one fixed TT. In the CHIPS configuration you specify the distance between the top of your fix TT and the top of the surface your stock lays on as the TT height.

The workflow would then be as follows:

• Set WCS X0 Y0 with your preferred method

• Start the Job File

• The Job will run up to the first M6 tool change prompting for the first tool

• After inserting the first tool, press Cycle Start and CHIPS will open

• In CHIPS you enter the offset of your Z0 point from the bottom of your stock. As an example, if your Z0 point is on top of a 1" stock, you enter 1"

• Now you press the Probing Button in CHIPS. CHIPS will close and an automated tool touch off with the fix TT will be initiated and the WCS Z0 point for the first tool will be set

• The job will continue with the first tool up to the next M6 tool change command and the 3 steps above will repeat for all consecutive tools in the job until the job finishes

I hope this explains it well enough. Let me know if you have more questions.

-swissi

[Houseman303]

Quick question, are the sample cycles now more clearly visually indicated in which axis direction the probe is being probed? Unfortunately there are no pictures in the documentation.

[swissi]

Quick question, are the sample cycles now more clearly visually indicated in which axis direction the probe is being probed? Unfortunately there are no pictures in the documentation.

What's not clear with a picture like this?

There's an industry standard for axis labeling that can be safely assumed in these graphics:

Do you really need this to be drawn on every probing cycle picture?

From the hundreds of ProbingApp and CHIPS users, nobody ever asked for this to be clarified but there might be a need so if anybody else is struggling with the probing directions illustrated in the ProbeApp/CHIPS probing cycles please chime in here and let me know.

Thanks,
-swissi