Machsupport Forum

General CNC Chat => Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) => Topic started by: Tweakie.CNC on May 09, 2012, 08:27:31 AM

Title: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 09, 2012, 08:27:31 AM
My existing ‘touch plate’ has served me well over the years but as this relies on electrical contact between the ‘tool’ and the ‘plate’ it was just not possible to use it with the diamond and ceramic tipped tools I now have occasion to use.

Something a bit more sophisticated was required and an active, ‘probe type’, low profile, tool height setter seemed to be on the cards.

This is my first prototype and as luck would have it, works just as intended.

If others are interested, I would be pleased to post full constructional details of the project (together with the GCode files) once it has been fully tested and I am certain there are no hidden or unforeseen snags.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Overloaded on May 09, 2012, 09:00:04 AM
............. and as luck would have it, works just as intended.

Ha ..... Be careful not to confuse "Luck" with the "Skills of a Master".  :)
Looks great Tweakie !
Please be sure to post the details when finished, very nice addition to your arsenal.

Regards,
Russ
 :)
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Sam on May 09, 2012, 09:02:44 AM
That's a nice one Tweakie! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 09, 2012, 12:09:13 PM
Thanks guys, you are too kind.

I am going to re-layout the PCB as the prototype did not give quite enough space to solder the LED easily and I am still awaiting delivery of some different sized music wire as I have not yet finally decided on the appropriate contact spring pressure but it is all looking good so far.

This is the prototype PCB and top cover (the electrical contacts are on the other side of the PCB).

Tweakie.

Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: ThomasCB21 on May 09, 2012, 08:25:38 PM
Very nice, having read many of your posts, I don't believe there is anything you can't accomplish when there is a need and a desire to build.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Chaoticone on May 09, 2012, 08:38:36 PM
Very nice Tweakie!  Thomas hit the nail on the head.  That Tweakie is one sharp tack!

Brett
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: RICH on May 09, 2012, 09:54:32 PM
Looks good Tweakie. Make a bunch and suprise us with a gift....... ;)
RICH
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Sam on May 09, 2012, 11:46:04 PM
And we don't want that cheesy, cheap button, either. We want it made from platinum or at least gold.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 10, 2012, 02:06:04 AM
Thank you for all the complements guys.

And we don't want that cheesy, cheap button, either. We want it made from platinum or at least gold.

Hi Sam,

This will make you smile....

The base / casing is made from aluminium and once it was finished, I swear I could hear your words saying "go on - anno it" so it was duly anodized and now has a silky smooth finish all thanks to you.  ;D ;D

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: allyd on May 11, 2012, 06:28:34 AM
Looks great, will be very keen to see it's development.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: stirling on May 12, 2012, 01:28:28 PM
Nice one Tweaks - That pcb is as dinky as a dinky thing with a first class honours degree in dinky.

Ian
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 13, 2012, 01:06:14 AM
Thanks Ian.  ;D

Thank you also for your work, a while back, relating to the G31 command and Mach’s interpretation of how variations in multiple contact resets the Var (2002) etc.
This was influential in my design and helped a lot.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: BR549 on May 13, 2012, 11:07:41 AM
HIYA Tweaks , Have you thought about putting in an overtravel switch so that in cause the G31 goes wacky the OT switch will trip as a Limit and save the machine/tool/probe/part ??

Just a thought, (;-)TP
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 13, 2012, 11:54:11 AM
HIYA Tweaks , Have you thought about putting in an overtravel switch so that in cause the G31 goes wacky the OT switch will trip as a Limit and save the machine/tool/probe/part ??

Just a thought, (;-)TP

Hi Terry,

Must admit that I had not thought about that - damn good idea, thanks.  ;)

Tweakie.

It's a very poor video (this is an area in which I really must improve my skills) but shows its operation. http://www.graytel.talktalk.net/probe.wmv (http://www.graytel.talktalk.net/probe.wmv)
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Sam on May 13, 2012, 01:10:08 PM
What the yellow piece of material for?
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Ya-Nvr-No on May 13, 2012, 09:33:14 PM
Another fine project my friend
But four place decimal in metric are your running servos with 8000+ encoder pluses?

That is a great idea Terry, wish I had them for tool breakage detection switches. ;-]
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 14, 2012, 01:35:22 AM
What the yellow piece of material for?

That is the most important part Sam - It's the work piece which subsequently gets engraved  ;)

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 14, 2012, 01:42:50 AM
Quote
But four place decimal in metric are your running servos with 8000+ encoder pluses?

 ;D ;D ;D

No way, my theoretical resolution is 3 microns but so long as it does the job I leave as many of the Mach settings as untouched as I can  ;)

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: budman68 on May 14, 2012, 12:37:14 PM
As always, Tweaks, your work is beautiful and so friggin clean! Love it!

Dave
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Ya-Nvr-No on May 14, 2012, 12:54:20 PM
theoretical resolution is 3 microns
so your actual resolution and repeatability is?
Not many industrial machines can give me that resolution and repeatably.
I very happy with 10 microns for most jobs. So many variables.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 15, 2012, 06:42:03 AM
As always, Tweaks, your work is beautiful and so friggin clean! Love it!

Dave

Thanks Dave.

Quote
so your actual resolution and repeatability is?


Hi YNN,

That is a very difficult, if not impossible, question to answer. The difference between theoretical and actual resolution of any machine depends on just so many factors.

In practice, as you know, I do of lot of small engraving work which requires a high degree of positional accuracy but that does not necessarily mean that the work is done to a high degree of dimensional precision, after all, my machine is basically just a wood router but overall, when engraving, I expect to achieve a positional accuracy of better than ± 0.00625mm.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Ya-Nvr-No on May 15, 2012, 08:07:27 AM
I've worked on grinders that can barley hold that and that's using Marposs, but then again your key word there is "expect"

Reference to your Winston Churchill signature: I expect Success but I too learn from my many Failures.  ;D

I'm just happy to get chips to fly and acceptable results. I work by thinking: Form, Fit & Function or Get out your wallet.  ;)
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 15, 2012, 09:18:51 AM
 ;D ;D
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Ya-Nvr-No on May 15, 2012, 09:24:16 AM
Too cute, now if you can get that to fit and I can read it, between just two of those lines on that scale.  :o
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: stirling on May 15, 2012, 09:39:15 AM
LOL - top lines or bottom? - go on Tweakie - you can do it  ;D

Ian
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Ya-Nvr-No on May 15, 2012, 09:52:34 AM
That's it Ian, give that Brit a challenge.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: stirling on May 15, 2012, 09:56:13 AM
That's it Ian, give that Brit a challenge.
...you mean my FELLOW Brit...  ;)

Ian
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 15, 2012, 10:27:57 AM
Too cute, now if you can get that to fit and I can read it, between just two of those lines on that scale.  :o
LOL - top lines or bottom? - go on Tweakie - you can do it  ;D

Ian

I know when I am beat  ;D  (but I haven't tried it using the laser yet)

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: stirling on May 15, 2012, 10:39:24 AM
There's always photoshop - Doh!  ;D
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 15, 2012, 10:43:49 AM
 ;D ;D ;D

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Ya-Nvr-No on May 15, 2012, 11:37:14 AM
Us Yanks are always amused of the Brit's busting each others balls, now here everything has to be politically correct, or is that socially acceptable? Always get that mixed up.  :-\
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: stirling on May 15, 2012, 02:41:45 PM
'tis not so much ball busting as banter - keeps us frosty  ;)
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 18, 2012, 04:02:15 AM
This text is 0.5mm high and engraved 0.05mm deep.

OK, it is not that good and would probably make a watchmaker cry if he saw it but the purpose of this (and the previous examples) was to test the accuracy of the prototype tool setter and so far, I am extremely pleased with the results.

I have taken on Stirlings suggestion of incorporating an over-travel switch (just in case) to operate a ‘limit’ input. This will involve a re-design of the PCB and the connecting cable, plug and socket will then need 4 wires instead of 3.

Something to keep me off the streets for a while.  ;D

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 18, 2012, 05:54:46 AM
Ooops,

A little correction to the above post - It was Terry's suggestion for the over-travel switch.  ;)

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Ya-Nvr-No on May 18, 2012, 06:13:32 AM
Very very nice.
Now for the Video, like to see that in action.

Using direct drive Nema23 steppers and ball screws?
Don't see any backlash issues or noticeable stair stepping effects.
But then we would start needing to get the microscope out.

Streets? Hell... I never thought you left the man cave.

Great Job, fun isn't it!!!
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: RICH on May 18, 2012, 06:50:46 AM
Quote
now if you can get that to fit and I can read it, between just two of those lines on that scale

The limit on machine engraving is approx .015" high considering that if you have no spindle run out, can get a tip point
down to .001" radius, and keeping depth at about .001". IE; letter E .003" for the engraved line and spaces between.

Yet it is interesting how they can make reference targets with line widths or spaces  is down in the microns.

Tweakie, rumor has it that YNN can't see the letters on a stop sign at 5 feet so let not your heart be troubled at .5mm.
You may want to bump the size of our pics up a bit for him.  ;D :D ;)

RICH
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Ya-Nvr-No on May 18, 2012, 07:32:37 AM
So True,  >:( But truth be told that is one reason why I retired early, both my Dad and his Dad lost their sight early with retina detachment, So though funny, it does scare me. So enjoy what you do. :o But in the mean time I see well enough to appreciate every ones fine work. I don't mind having my balls busted either. Life is fun with all these challenges.  :-\

On a side note, I just built my first gantry router system using servos, I see well enough to see the those digital readouts.  ;D but I agree Rich, bump those pictures up Tweak.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 18, 2012, 11:29:26 AM
Hi YNN,

You should never take anything as being inevitable - there is always chance.
A genetic inheritance may skip a generation or a genetic pattern being modified between the combination of both parental sets may resolve a possible problem. Chance is always there.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: stirling on May 18, 2012, 11:54:42 AM
I don't mind having my balls busted either.
;D ;D ;D Whatever floats your boat my man - drop yer trollies and get 'em out on the bench - Tweakie! - the lump hammer if you please...

Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 18, 2012, 12:13:41 PM
Lump Hammer ?? surely a Ball Pein Hammer would be more appropriate  ;D

Perhaps not - I recently spent some time in A&E after my misunderstanding of the usage for my wife's new Dyson Ball Cleaner.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Overloaded on May 18, 2012, 01:48:32 PM

 :)Good one Tweakie
 ;D ;D ;D
 :)
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Ya-Nvr-No on May 18, 2012, 06:44:35 PM
Now you know, Tweak we all want to know how you blamed this on a machine, lol

Don't bring one of those tiny tack hammer sized ball peens.

Hi YNN,
You should never take anything as being inevitable - there is always chance.
A genetic inheritance may skip a generation or a genetic pattern being modified between the combination of both parental sets may resolve a possible problem. Chance is always there.
Tweakie.
From your post/comment/wish to God's ear. Thanks
But in the mean time I should have retired much sooner... I love contract work. More profitable and more control.

Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 25, 2012, 02:30:05 AM
A couple more pictures of the probe parts.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Ya-Nvr-No on May 25, 2012, 07:08:32 AM
Fine looking workmanship Tweak.

How do you determine overall height of the tool sensor/when it has detected the tool tip? 
Is this a NC switch and your pushing it down to break contact?
Is that a bonded or pressed in insert? of what material, does it keep the plunger in axis alignment or is that left up to the spring to keep the plunger from rocking?

How much travel once the tool contacts the sensor before tool detection?
How much more travel for overtravel?

I follow with great interest.
Keep up the fine work.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 25, 2012, 09:18:18 AM
Hi YNN,

Thank you for the kind words, it is much appreciated.

The contact ring, insulator and plate have all been lathe turned and the flat surfaces are as near parallel to one another as I can make them. These 3 items have then been fitted together using Locktite, under a small pressure until cured, making the assembly of the contact ring as plane with the top surface of the plate as I can. The 3 individual contacts have been lapped so that they each protrude from the rear surface of the PCB by exactly the same amount (as near as I can measure using feeler gauges on a surface plate).
The contact ring, plate and the 3 contacts are all made from A4 (austenitic) stainless steel.

The contact ring rests on the 3 contacts under spring pressure and the overall height of the completed probe measured with a micrometer – this dimension being entered into the Mach3 probing script as plate thickness. Any downward movement of the plate breaks one or more contacts for the G31 detection. Although the contacts are ‘normally closed’, the transistors invert this logic so the probe output is normally a weak High and only taken to a strong Low (GND) when contact is broken.

The amount of movement necessary to operate the probe is incredibly small (unfortunately I don’t have the necessary equipment to accurately measure this) but it is largely dependant on the flexibility in the top cover and operational movement is currently smaller than two of my Z axis micro-steps. It does not seem to make any difference if the plate movement is parallel (centre contact) or tilted (off-centre contact) there is never any contact bounce – it either makes contact or it doesn’t.

This type of contact break detection is used in some of the Baumer Electric limit switches – OK they have far more accurate manufacturing facilities than I have but they claim 1 micron repeatability. I don’t think I am anywhere near to that but, as I said, the triggering movement is incredibly small and beyond my micrometer measurement skills.

The over-travel (after contact break) is approx. 2mm but I have found that with Mach3 version R3.043.062 the G31 appears to trigger an immediate stop rather than a decelerated stop and plate movement is not even visible.

One new thing that I have noticed is that the work piece must not have any movement or flexibility when tool height setting – my vacuum table holds engraving laminate tightly but double sided sticky tape has a degree of springiness and this can cause a setting error. I am not quite certain just what is happening here but it needs further investigation.

You would really have to build a similar device for yourself to fully appreciate the accuracy of the operation but, as shown in a previous picture, it has enabled me to engrave 0.5mm high text to a depth of  0.05mm which I struggled to do before using this type of probe.

Hope I have answered all the questions.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Ya-Nvr-No on May 25, 2012, 09:48:25 AM
You would really have to build a similar device for yourself to fully appreciate the accuracy of the operation

Kind of hoping you were providing the units, so I don't have another project to complete.  :D

Thanks for the details.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: stirling on May 25, 2012, 11:02:33 AM
but I have found that with Mach3 version R3.043.062 the G31 appears to trigger an immediate stop rather than a decelerated stop.
Hi Tweakie - do you mind giving me your G31 feedrate, your Z axis accel and your steps per please? I'd like to check this out.

Ian
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 25, 2012, 01:26:35 PM
Hi guys,

Quote
Kind of hoping you were providing the units, so I don't have another project to complete. 

Go on - make one - you will not be disappointed.

Quote
Hi Tweakie - do you mind giving me your G31 feedrate, your Z axis accel and your steps per please? I'd like to check this out.

Steps 533.3333..., Z axis Acc. 100,  G31 feed  200.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: stirling on May 30, 2012, 11:04:16 AM
Hi Tweakie - forgot about this but FWIW

if my sums are correct (d=v^2/2a) then it should take 0.0555... mm to decel to stop after trip. Scoping Mach confirms (here at least) that it does exactly this (well 0.0543500044871). Don't know if that's any use to you (or anyone else really).

Ian
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 30, 2012, 11:48:20 AM
Hi Ian,

Thank you for a very nifty bit of calculation (Hopefully that is the value that gets stored in my Var(2002)).

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: BR549 on May 30, 2012, 11:36:29 PM
HUM, the stored value will be at the point the slack is taken up in the mechanism and the contact opens. Then Mach3 slows to a stop.

Connect an ohm meter from the tool tip to the contact plate. Step jog up to the plate until the omh meter just shows contact. Zero Z then step jog further until the PROBE LED lights up. That is the switch motion you also have to account for. Once found add it into your tool probe routine.

Just a thought, (;-)TP




Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 31, 2012, 03:27:57 AM
Good thinking Terry – I gave it a try first thing this morning.

My Z axis moves in steps of  0.001875mm (but the accuracy of micro steps are a long standing point of discussion).

Jogging with Mach set at 0.0010mm step size and zeroing at the exact point of electrical contact a further 2 steps were required to trigger the probe with the DRO reading -0.0037mm.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: RICH on May 31, 2012, 06:44:15 AM
(but the accuracy of micro steps are a long standing point of discussion).

My testing has indicated that it can be influenced greatly by the motor. All depends how the Earth and Moon
align given a place in orbit. :D

So you may want to try a number of locations along the rotation and take an average.

FWIW,
RICH
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on May 31, 2012, 07:14:00 AM
Quote
So you may want to try a number of locations along the rotation and take an average.

Good point Rich.  ;)

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on June 19, 2012, 07:48:25 AM
A little more progress - This is the over-travel limit switch, well 3 switches actually but they are connected in parallel and operate on the 'first home' principle.

The total thickness, including the PCB, is 2mm and this assembly fits beneath the the contact plate (in the base of the probe) and will activate a limit input if the G31 probing routine failed.

The probe will continue to use the 3 wire connection to the machine and additional circuitry has now been fitted, at the breakout board end, to detect probe circuit continuity. This effectively signals a 'Probe Already Grounded' condition to the probing routine if either the positive or GND connecting wires are disconnected or if the probe is not actually connected to the machine. This added 'fail safe' feature was considered necessary because I am signalling the over-travel limit through the two supply wires.

Hopefully, I have now covered every eventuality but life always seems to punish the complacent and so 'time will tell'.  ;D

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Astroguy on June 19, 2012, 03:45:09 PM
Very nice Tweakie, can`t wait till you finish. I am sure it will be awsome, I would love to make one as well.

Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on June 20, 2012, 05:39:05 AM
Very nice Tweakie, can`t wait till you finish. I am sure it will be awsome, I would love to make one as well.



Hi Astroguy,

Thank you.

I keep making minor alterations to the basic design (from experience gained and others suggestions) but I am nearly there.
I have almost compiled a complete set of drawings and GCode files but this seems to be taking longer than it took to make the original parts.  ;D

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Astroguy on July 03, 2012, 04:19:40 PM
Any progress? The suspense is killing me.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on July 04, 2012, 01:20:57 AM
Hi Astroguy,

Sorry for the delay.

By including the over-travel switch, the wiring between this and the main panel makes it difficult to dis-assemble / re-assemble so the case has been re-designed to include a pocket to accommodate a wiring loop and I have just not been able to get the time to test the tool path for the new case yet.
The control board PCB has yet to be laid out and I am still awaiting delivery of some low current opto isolators from China - it is all work in progress.  ;D

Tweakie.

Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: BR549 on July 04, 2012, 09:43:55 AM
NOW to add something to think about the amount of over travel of the probe will depend on your accelleration settings. SOME systems have very slow Accel and need lots of room to stop. HOW much overtravel does the machine normally have. Do you have enough overtravel in the probe design (before it hits the overtravel limits ??  IF not on fast probing you may trip the OTlimit.

Just a thought, (;-) TP
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on July 05, 2012, 02:53:35 AM
Hi Terry,

With my Acceleration of 100 & Feed 200 for the Z axis our good friend Ian has calculated the over travel distance from the activation point to be 0.0555mm  ;)


Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on July 05, 2012, 05:54:52 AM
The tool path for the re-designed case has now been verified, new case made and anodized.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Astroguy on July 05, 2012, 09:29:33 AM
Beautiful work.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: BR549 on July 09, 2012, 10:56:13 AM
Tweeaks I thing you are safe with that .  What IS the over travel amount of the design before you hit the limits switch ?

Just curious, (;-) TP
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on July 09, 2012, 11:11:20 AM
Hi Terry,

The physical over travel clearance is 0.5mm before the top of a limit switch is contacted, there is then a little more as a switch is activated.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Astroguy on July 26, 2012, 10:43:12 AM
I just returned from vacation. any updates?
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on July 30, 2012, 02:36:40 AM
Hi Astroguy,

I trust you had an excellent holiday.

My apologies for delay but commercial interest has been shown in the design of this probe so I am waiting a while to see just what transpires.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Astroguy on July 30, 2012, 08:24:48 AM
Hi Tweakie, I had a great holiday thanks for asking.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Astroguy on August 21, 2012, 08:40:13 AM
???
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: clockman on December 29, 2012, 11:35:20 AM
Hi Tweakie,
I'm interested in this tool.
If its possible send me the documents and the Gcodes.

Thanks clockman
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on January 01, 2013, 04:57:52 AM
Hi Guys,

Although it was my original intention to make this an ‘open source’ project for anyone to construct, commercial interest was shown. They took their time deciding but following a reasonable offer I have now sold the design.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Sam on January 01, 2013, 12:11:11 PM
That's awesome Tweakie!
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Astroguy on January 12, 2013, 01:03:30 PM
Hi Guys,

Although it was my original intention to make this an ‘open source’ project for anyone to construct, commercial interest was shown. They took their time deciding but following a reasonable offer I have now sold the design.

Tweakie.


Where can we buy one?
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: norsksea on February 18, 2013, 04:59:24 PM
is there an idea when one these would be available to buy?
Frank
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Mad Professor on February 18, 2013, 05:02:14 PM
I am also very intrested in the plans or to buy a ready built unit.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: norsksea on February 22, 2013, 08:36:52 AM
Can you tell me what transistors you used in your circuit board?
Frank
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on February 22, 2013, 08:50:45 AM
Hi Guys,

I am really sorry, but I have agreed not to disclose any further details.  :'(  (This is the problem when an idea is sold but I just could not refuse the cash).

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Astroguy on February 22, 2013, 07:06:47 PM
You can't even tell us where to buy one??? :(
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: kevrgood on November 10, 2015, 01:31:00 PM
Would this probe work on a es915 spindle head which is ceramic and requires a  ground magnet attached to the tool collet.
Would like to eliminate the ground wire,
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: leversole on November 14, 2017, 10:55:51 PM
Hey Tweakie....I know this is an old post..but I am tired of alligator cliipping the ground to my router bits!!!! Looking to get a switch type to set my Z height...I know you sold your design, where can I get one?

Thanks
Leslie
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on November 15, 2017, 01:34:14 AM
Hi Leslie,

Sorry but I have absolutely no idea. I have never seen it for sale either so I suspect it went into a propriety system perhaps.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: leversole on November 15, 2017, 06:53:26 AM
Okay thanks!

Does anyone else have a source for something similar? May try to build one out of a snap switch just to see how repeatable it might be,,,


Thanks
Title: Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.
Post by: tvgeist on April 22, 2020, 08:38:31 AM
I'm sorry I just saw your touch off tool. I'm upgrading my CNC router to a water cooled spindle and changing some thing I would like to add this tool to my my CNC router. Could I get a copy of your plans and the program also?