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Hi all, the 3D probe shown in the attached photo is being sold on the web by several vendors, ranging from AliExpress through eBay to CNC system sellers. It looks quite nice, having only a 6mm shank and being quite short so good for machines with limited daylight.
Does anyone have any experience with these they could share please?Attachment 31377
Uwe ("suntravel") over on the Centroid Acorn forum uses one of these (or very similar) for tool offset measurement on his lathe. On that basis I just bought one myself although I have no experience of using it yet. Looks quite nicely made and Uwe reckons it's pretty accurate. He knows what he's doing, so it sounds like a good recommendation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXJnBJtef1o
This is the one we got https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...58861802sWYBON
Thanks Muzzer, that's useful!
There is a guy here on the forum @XYZ_Spec also using a similar probe, he seems to like it quite allot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtOfxCaf4lU
I was thinking about getting one too, from what I can tell version 6 is the newest one, 3D Touch Probe Edge Finder
It cost me the normal price of £60 +vat ie £72. However, I see there is a special 11-11 sale on today which seems to discount the price to £54. That is better than a kick in the teeth, although I wish I hadn't looked, as it will cause me some loss of sleep, being a Scottish blooded Yorkshireman and all.
EDIT: Scotsman's nightmare worsens - it's actually available for £45.60 delivered. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...001615837864.0
I'm sorry but I got a bit carried away this evening and ended up modelling the thing In Fusion. I'm going to integrate it into a toolsetter for the latest CNC lathe, so this is the first part to create. I've stuck it on Grabcad FWIW:
https://grabcad.com/library/diyo-3d-probe-v6-1
Attachment 31378
I just bit the bullet at £55 all-in.
Just hope it works.
I am using this one:Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnHaine
https://youtu.be/EuDj0P4_il0
It comes with several tips, even long ones.
Nice, when mine gets here I was going to do a tear down/review of it, I had a similar idea of mounting it to the machine on an arm like the Datron's have, so you can leave it on the machine etc, for completeness I could take some dimensions of the internal parts for you to add to the model if you like?Quote:
Originally Posted by Muzzer
It's possible I could model the internals but I'm not convinced it would be valuable as I don't plan to substitute any internal parts. My main interest is mounting it on my machine on an arm fitted to the tailstock.
Note that there's a pretty good exploded assembly drawing on the various websites.
Ordered this from AliBaba, Paypal has taken my money via Alipav. No record of transaction on Alibaba, Bit concerned and have lodged a claim with PPal.
Anyone else have a problem please?
I've bought a few things from Alibaba without problem.
Note that Alibaba is really a trade / wholesale site, whereas Aliexpress is a retail site and is better suited to smaller purchases. The payment / tracking system is also more transparent - and quicker.
Give it a day or two for the transaction to happen. You can also message the seller if that helps.
Muzzer - Thank you. My transaction was with AliExpress and there seems to be something wrong with their site, as some parts are under maintenance. Probably do not want to sell now at the discounted price?? We shall see!
I wasn't expecting it to arrive until next month but on the mat this morning. Looks very nice and compact on my little mill.
One thing I'm not sure of, the connector at the probe end seems to be a USB-C type but the plug only goes in a couple of mm but does give a firm click. USB-C usually goes right in. is this normal have people found please?
Yes, that's what I found. The socket isn't as deep as a normal USB-C but that seems to be the way it was designed. Mine works fine - was testing it yesterday with my Centroid Acorn lathe.
Thanks for the reassurance Muzzer. I'll try it out tomorrow.
Here's mine. Don't worry about the Bluetack and magnetic base - I'm just exploring the Centroid lathe tool touchoff functions!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av8ovkFJTwc
Well guys I still have no acknowledgment of my order from AliExpress. They have taken my money and P/Pal are supposed to be investigating but nothing from them either at this time.
Tested the unit today. Directly compatible with Mach3 and seems to work very nicely!
Relieved to say that it turned up today.
Phew! Was afraid I'd persuaded you to buy a pup!Quote:
Originally Posted by Leadhead
Actually John, thank you. It looks a nice piece of kit.
Just got mine today. 12 days from ordering.
Looks good. Can't test it out for a little while yet though.
Have you folks seen the Craty CNC software for Mach3 & UCCNC. I have had it for a while and it is well worth a look.
In particular the compensation for eccentricity in the probe and the point cloud programming which I have used to good effect.
Quite inexpensive as I recall. I have no connection, other than a satisfied customer.
http://www.craftycnc.com/
Thanks! Looks very interesting, I think I'll download the trial version and give it a go.
John - You may have to search through his youtube vids. Google what you require as youtube index does not always find them all.
Are you aware that these probes have adjustment for eliminating eccentricity (as most do)? In this case, they have 4 radial grub screws that can be used to shift the tip in X and Y. You need a dial gauge (DTI) with light tip force, then adjust the screws until there is no runout / eccentricity when you rotate the probe. You should only need to do this if (when!) you have a crash and need to replace or straighten the tip although a periodic check is sensible.Quote:
Originally Posted by Leadhead
The Renishaw probes use a different system, with a ball bearing pivot under the base and 4 axial screws but to the same effect.
The trigger point for most of these probes varies slightly according to the orientation of the probe, due to the 3 internal pivots. So it's a good idea to orientate the probe in the same direction each time you use it, for consistency. That's a different issue to eccentricity.
Have owned many probes in my lifetime. If this one remains constant over time I will be overjoyed.
(Incidentally do you check the runout of your collet chuck before setting the probe. That can be an eye opener in itself!!)
I have spindle jigs to maintain orientation ranging from scratched lines to mechanical dowel slots.
Looking forward to exercising the new one.
Hope the experience sharing will will continue.
I don't use a collet chuck to mount and remount my Renishaw probe on the mill - it came with its own pukka ISO40 holder. For my lathe, this DIYO probe will be used for tool touchoff, mounted in a fixture, so eccentricity won't be an issue - it just needs to stay fixed in position. Perhaps when I've completed it I will post pics / vid!