3d touch probe

[johngoodrich]

I am wanting to buy a 3d touch probe like this to work with uccnc.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Waterproof-3D-Digitizing-touch-probe-for-CNC-with-8-mm-shank-2-mm-ruby-ball-tip/163856710545?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOME SPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20180213162448%26meid% 3Dec2e52dadd1d4ca5908196d3887d9e58%26pid%3D100930% 26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D1642770550 55%26itm%3D163856710545%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3 D2332490%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic%26brand%3DUnbrand ed&_trksid=p2332490.c100930.m5375

Can anyone suggest a good uk based probe supplier. Thanks

[m_c]

Last time I checked, there weren't any.

Last 3 probes I've bought, have been from across the pond.

[johngoodrich]

Oh ok. What one would you recommend?

[m_c]

My original one was from Deepgroove, but they've stopped selling them.
It's had a lot of abuse on my digitizing machine, and still calibrates perfectly even after managing to bend the probe by running it into the bed...

Last two have been from imsrv - http://www.ebaystores.co.uk/imsrv/Probe-Toolsetter-and-Parts-/_i.html?_fsub=5194280011&_sid=4551141&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322/str/imsrv/Probe-Toolsetter-and-Parts-/_i.html?_fsub=5194280011&_sid=4551141&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
However I have an adjustable one, which they don't appear to list any more.

Personally, I'd buy from whatever eBay seller has a probe with the features you'd like. As long as they're part of the eBay global shipping, all taxes are paid upfront, and it's tracked once it reaches the eBay shipping centre.


There are a few plans floating around for building touch probes, it's just I'd rather buy something that works, than spend days making one.

[Muzzer]

Keep watching ebay and something will come up. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=renishaw+probe&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=1

I got an old Renishaw MP1s for something like £160 and fitted a cable to it (originally wireless). It's a really nice probe and far more accurate than my machine will ever be. And you can buy spare tips from China for <£20 "just in case".

[needleworks]

Does it have to be UK based ? I've been using one of these for the past couple of years and can't fault it. Cliff is also a great guy to deal with.

https://hallmarkdesign.co.nz/probe

[Doddy]

I bought the one from Poland that the OP linked - delivered quickly without fuss, and the seller responded quickly to a question raised afterwards (I'd rubbed the inked +/-/Signal idents off on installation and needed the colours confirmed).

Don't be afraid to order from the mainland.

[johngoodrich]

Daddy, whats your opinion on that one. The only reason I was looking for uk suppliers is because of import tax etc, and not knowing how much it will actually cost in total

[Doddy]

Son, I like it, quite well built for the price, with readily replaceable probes. Repeatable to 0.01 on mine according to UCCNC. But isn’t pre calibrated. It’s certainly good enough for what my needs.

[johngoodrich]

Thanks mate. Looks like I'll go for that one

[m_c]

Daddy, whats your opinion on that one. The only reason I was looking for uk suppliers is because of import tax etc, and not knowing how much it will actually cost in total

You have to be careful with that now.
That Poland one will likely be subject to Import Duty and VAT, as it's over the £130 where eBay are required to process the VAT.

That is one benefit of the eBay Global Shipping Program. You know exactly what it'll cost before you buy it.

[johngoodrich]

Thats the issue. It doesn't state what import duties would be, just "may be subject to custo.s duties depending on value"

[alanambrose]

>>> I got an old Renishaw MP1s for something like £160 and fitted a cable to it (originally wireless).

Muzzer - could you say a bit more about this please. Off-the-shelf cable? Is the pin-out fairly obvious? You had an 'MI5 interface unit' already or you managed without this somehow?

Alan

[Purelogic R&D]

Please see some our variants.
PLL005-G2(G3) and PLL006.
Pumotix.com - > Electronics -> common accessoires
You can also order them on the weebsites of our EU partners https://www.jbcnc.se/search?query=pll
or
https://hardware-cnc.nl/winkel/toolsensor-probe/touch-probe-3d/

[alanambrose]

FYI useful thread on probes here:

https://www.cnczone.com/forums/tormach-personal-cnc-mill/325794-tormach.html

Also references a Renishaw presentation here:

https://resources.renishaw.com/en/details/presentation-renishaw-touch-trigger-probing-technology--54965

Alan

[Muzzer]

>>> I got an old Renishaw MP1s for something like £160 and fitted a cable to it (originally wireless).

Muzzer - could you say a bit more about this please. Off-the-shelf cable? Is the pin-out fairly obvious? You had an 'MI5 interface unit' already or you managed without this somehow?

Alan

It's dead simple. The connector is revealed when you remove the inductive pickup head, at which point you discover it's just an old fashioned 5-pin DIN plug, just like we used to use on audio equipment. The circuit is just a normally closed (NC) contact that opens when the tip is displaced. It's a doddle to reconnect. In my case I also fitted a loopback wire so that my (Centroid) controller could see if the probe was present and thus prevent heroic / expensive moves if it was.

Best thing I bought for my mill, improved my accuracy massively, although it simply shows how much backlash I have on the axes.....

Have a look: https://mightyshiz.blogspot.com/2018/03/renishaw-touch-probe-mp1-with-inductive.html

[alanambrose]

Nice - very clear write-up.

Thanks, Alan

[dazp1976]

Best thing I bought for my mill, improved my accuracy massively, although it simply shows how much backlash I have on the axes.....


I got my mill conversion down to 0.03mm with compensation turned off.
Not great and even that took some doing to get to that stage.

[Ollie78]

Hi


I have been considering 3d probes myself, thinking of getting one for my new machine when its ready. I will have ATC spindle so should be able to leave the probe in a toolholder all the time.
Looked at a the ones linked above which look good but was thinking wireless would be a better option I thoght this one looks ok and not silly expensive
https://vers.by/en/touch-probes/29-vers-wlr.html

Also this one which is cheap and has a magnetic connector which might be good. https://topcom.cz/dig3dlpm/DIG3D-LP-M-p262128333
I guess you just run the wire near the spindle and plug it in each time you use the probe.
Do you guys who have probes just have them on a loose wire or a quick connector?


Makes me think it would be great to use some kind of Lidar system on the machine for recognizing the material instantly, saw a demo of ipads with it built in for scanning rooms in 3d.

Ollie

[Muzzer]

Yes, that's pretty good in reality. There are buckets of BS on forums and Pootube where armchair machinists claim to "hold tenths" or better on their machines.

My Shizuoka was a very good quality machine when it was made, with top end HSK ballscrews and bearings and cost more than an average house yet they "only" claimed accuracy of 0.01mm. Clearly with the passage of time and without a professional to set it up, I won't get close to that. In practice I'd probably be happy with 0.05mm and TBH, I don't expect there are many things I'd make that would require much better precision.

Part of the skill of designing stuff is taking into account the facilities at your disposal. I'm not expecting to be a pub legend any lunchtime soon!

[Muzzer]

My Renishaw has a cable, so I have to plug it in each time I need to set something up on my machine. That's a PITA but it allows excellent setup which is more accurate and repeatable than a mechanical edge finder or (Haimer clone) 3D indicator. Overall I can't complain!

Another solution would be an add-on wireless adaptor like the Xoomspeed product https://shop.xoomspeed.com/products/wireless-probe-kit?variant=11877005295663

Bear in mind you need a probe in addition to the wireless kit. He developed this so that he could use his probe in a Tormach ATC.

[Ollie78]

My Renishaw has a cable, so I have to plug it in each time I need to set something up on my machine. That's a PITA but it allows excellent setup which is more accurate and repeatable than a mechanical edge finder or (Haimer clone) 3D indicator. Overall I can't complain!

Another solution would be an add-on wireless adaptor like the Xoomspeed product https://shop.xoomspeed.com/products/wireless-probe-kit?variant=11877005295663

Bear in mind you need a probe in addition to the wireless kit. He developed this so that he could use his probe in a Tormach ATC.

I thought it might be a PITA that is why I am quite tempted by the Vers.by wireless one at £215 not bad, I guess plus vat and duty it will be £300. So could be a bargain in comparison to a probe plus the wireless adaptor thingy.

Will keep my eyes peeled on ebay too as always.

Also wondering about probing plugins for UCCNC like probe It and stuff.

Ollie

[Neale]

Also wondering about probing plugins for UCCNC like probe It and stuff.

Ollie
You don't need a plugin - UCCNC has its own set of probing macros. It's a bit fiddly to work out how they operate but I fnd them find fine and use them with my somewhat crude probe. A_Camera on this forum has written an alternative set of macros which he says are more intuitive. I've not looked at them myself but you might like to try them if you find the UCCNC probing a bit awkward.

I'm grateful for the pointer to these fairly cheap probes. Personally I would be happy with the wired version as mine stays permanently plugged in and just sits to one side of the enclosure ready for use. My existing probe is very fiddly to set zero, but has the advantage that I can make crude replacement probes on the lathe. I seem to get through one of these every few months...

[Ollie78]

You don't need a plugin - UCCNC has its own set of probing macros. It's a bit fiddly to work out how they operate but I fnd them find fine and use them with my somewhat crude probe. A_Camera on this forum has written an alternative set of macros which he says are more intuitive. I've not looked at them myself but you might like to try them if you find the UCCNC probing a bit awkward.

I'm grateful for the pointer to these fairly cheap probes. Personally I would be happy with the wired version as mine stays permanently plugged in and just sits to one side of the enclosure ready for use. My existing probe is very fiddly to set zero, but has the advantage that I can make crude replacement probes on the lathe. I seem to get through one of these every few months...

Cheers Neale

I was sure there was something in UCCNC but having no probe yet not explored it.

I fancy wireless because both my current and incoming routers are quite large bed area and I can just see long trailing wires doing my head in.

Ollie