I have an old Bridgeport V2XT that I retrofitted. I used almost all of the old mechanics in thsi case teh old Balluff limit switches. X and Y axis have a housing with a limit and homing switch in them. Each side of the axis has a dog that pushes down on teh plunger. One side of each axis has an extra dog for the limit switch. My problem is this, homing accuracy is at best .010". I am currently using the limit switches ( low on inputs). My homing procedure runs at 60IPM. The only reason I am reluctant to go with proximity switches is I am afraid that chips might throw everything off. I'm mostly cutting steel and aluminum. Anyways the existing switches are made in Germany, why are they not accurate?
I need to be able to rely on the repeatability of my home cause I run plenty of the same part over and over again. If every ten parts I take a break and let the machine home that would be wonderful. Say I lose .0005 with every part on every axis, ten parts later this could be a problem. I am very intersted in any suggestions anyone may have to improve my homing accuracy. My last option would be a proximity switch wired in series to the lower limit switch of my Z axis ( that is housed in a watertight quill housing) and two of those switches that a member here makes based on an optical system. This would help me minimize on inputs. But if anyone has a way to make what I have work, I am very interested.