Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: bdmsb on November 28, 2009, 11:50:32 AM
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Are there inexpensive laser pointers available to chuck in the mill spindle and point me to a reference point on a work piece? Most common laser pointers are too bright and the spot is too big to set the origin. I built one once out of a "bullet" laser pointer but it was short lived and it seems like there ought to be a commercial one. I have seen expensive optical finders. There must be lower cost options these days.
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Unfortunately, the only ready made one of these that "I" know of is the Laser finder:
http://www.lasercenteredgefinder.com/main.html
I heard good things and bad things and even bought one. The stem was bent and it ran out about .020. Told them about it and they kindly offered me a replacement or a new one. Since it was made out of aluminum, I opted for a refund and I ended up building my own with one of these:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5942~r.91939619
Works great but I do not hold it in the spindle. I have it attached to the headstock on the side and I use a macro to locate the origin of my work. Now to be fair, I know "Rich" on this forum bought some of these and he was unhappy with the line thickness so your mileage may vary.
Dave
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Are there inexpensive laser pointers available to chuck in the mill spindle and point me to a reference point on a work piece? Most common laser pointers are too bright and the spot is too big to set the origin. I built one once out of a "bullet" laser pointer but it was short lived and it seems like there ought to be a commercial one. I have seen expensive optical finders. There must be lower cost options these days.
I would strongly recommend either using probing, or a USB camera. Lasers are just not very precise. Personally, I find probing to be the fastest, most accurate method.
Regards,
Ray L.
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My work mostly consists of milling operations on plastic materials. I need to index off a corner of a new piece, and the corner is often a raised edge inside the mill vice, too low for a wiggler. My accuracy requirements are modest. But the laser seems to offer something unique ... the ability to run through a program and verify the cut path on the workpiece. This would be a huge asset to me.
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Dont use a wiggler use a digital probe. Zarzul has them for under 100.00 in the bargain basement section. Work great.
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Google returns no links for "Zarzul".
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Zarzul is a member of the forums here. Here is where you should start.....
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,5004.0.html (http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,5004.0.html)
or
http://www.wildhorse-innovations.com/ (http://www.wildhorse-innovations.com/)
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Zarzul is a member of the forums here. Here is where you should start.....
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,5004.0.html (http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,5004.0.html)
or
http://www.wildhorse-innovations.com/ (http://www.wildhorse-innovations.com/)
That probe is available for only $100 from Arnie Minear, who actually manufactures them. You can contact him at aminear@wyomingwireless.com
Regards,
Ray L.
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Looks like Arnie might be letting others deal his products. The link was from the bargain basement to wild-horse was Arnie's the site claims the probe is designed by AM designs. I wonder who that could be?
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I bought this laser edge finder:
http://www.lasercenteredgefinder.com/main.html
It serves my needs perfectly. I'm using it to index off a known point on a work piece I need to duplicate. I find it exceptionally handy for previewing the tool path of a program before I run it, and for measuring positions with the DRO. Thanks for the referral.