I built a Z axis probe in the last few days. It is NOT for corner or edge finding, purely Z axis. The idea is that it can be used with something like GCode Ripper when doing non flat part surfaces. Think of something like a rifle stock.
Watched all sorts of YouTube vids and did not see anything I really liked nor was I willing to spend lots of money on something I will use infrequently.
Link to a pdf file that shows how it is put together:
You can load the pdf file directly into Aspire to get all the pertinent locations and sizes. I did not go crazy with dimensioning. A pretty simple project really.
And here is a pic:
This one is made from aluminum scrap that I got from the local scrapyard. No reason it cannot be made out of something else. Laminated wood would be a good choice or plastic. The probe itself is a 1/4 inch hex head bolt cut off and ground to suit. Nothing fancy. These things do not need to be real accurate because they do not turn. I included the info for the switch in the PDF, it uses a push button switch (momentary). If you order these switches make sure you select "High Head" so that the button sticks out.
I will use mine in the router collet so I put a shank on top. Again, this does not have be dead nuts concentric, it only goes up and down to activate the switch.
This project has been on the back burner for a while. What was holding me up was how this GCode Ripper software works. The guy's website is less than forthcoming about how it works or even how to install it. Sooo, I had a big daddy tiger talk with Mr Highpockets (John) and he 'splained what I needed to do. Thanks John! Since John was so nice about letting me pick his brain I figured I could share this design in return.
For a couple of bucks it is going to come in handy!
Z-Axis Probe (Plans)
- TReischl
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 4575
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:04 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: 8020 48X36X7 RP 2022 UCCNC Screenset
- Location: Leland NC
Z-Axis Probe (Plans)
"If you see a good fight, get in it." Dr. Vernon Johns
- martin54
- Vectric Archimage
- Posts: 7339
- Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2012 2:12 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Gerber 48, Triac PC, Isel fixed gantry
- Location: Kirkcaldy, Scotland
Re: Z-Axis Probe (Plans)
Not sure if it is something I will use personally Ted but downloaded he file just incase
Thanks for sharing this, sure lots of people will find it handy, both you & John (highpockets) are very helpful members of the forum
Thanks for sharing this, sure lots of people will find it handy, both you & John (highpockets) are very helpful members of the forum
- TReischl
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 4575
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:04 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: 8020 48X36X7 RP 2022 UCCNC Screenset
- Location: Leland NC
Re: Z-Axis Probe (Plans)
Thanks Martin.
The next thing I will be figuring out is how to digitize a 3D surface and then get it converted into something like an STL file. Right now the GCode Ripper software writes a XYZ file of points. Once I have that figured out then it will all come together for what I want to do. The idea is to be able to digitize something like a rifle stock (that is only an example, not something I need to do), cut the surface as a negative to hold the piece and then be able to carve on the opposite surface. I have seen that sort of thing quite often on the forum over the years.
Maybe with a bit of luck someone will come along and say "Just go over to this site and they have a piece of software to do just that." I am looking into some editing software right now, but all the videos I have seen of it seem rather complicated and no direct reference to just being able to read an XYZ point file.
The next thing I will be figuring out is how to digitize a 3D surface and then get it converted into something like an STL file. Right now the GCode Ripper software writes a XYZ file of points. Once I have that figured out then it will all come together for what I want to do. The idea is to be able to digitize something like a rifle stock (that is only an example, not something I need to do), cut the surface as a negative to hold the piece and then be able to carve on the opposite surface. I have seen that sort of thing quite often on the forum over the years.
Maybe with a bit of luck someone will come along and say "Just go over to this site and they have a piece of software to do just that." I am looking into some editing software right now, but all the videos I have seen of it seem rather complicated and no direct reference to just being able to read an XYZ point file.
"If you see a good fight, get in it." Dr. Vernon Johns
- mtylerfl
- Vectric Archimage
- Posts: 5865
- Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:54 am
- Model of CNC Machine: -CarveWright CNC -ShopBot Buddy PRSAlpha
- Location: Brunswick, GA
Re: Z-Axis Probe (Plans)
Possible software candidates for point cloud to mesh conversions:
CloudCompare
MeshLab
CloudCompare
MeshLab
Michael Tyler
facebook.com/carvebuddy
-CarveWright CNC
-ShopBot Buddy PRSAlpha CNC
facebook.com/carvebuddy
-CarveWright CNC
-ShopBot Buddy PRSAlpha CNC
- martin54
- Vectric Archimage
- Posts: 7339
- Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2012 2:12 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Gerber 48, Triac PC, Isel fixed gantry
- Location: Kirkcaldy, Scotland
Re: Z-Axis Probe (Plans)
I will follow your progress with interest Ted but I already have far to much on my plate as it is without looking for new things to try
After machining some brass for a job I made a rye comment about now needing to build a foundary to recycle all the brass chippings, couple of people thought I was serious about it
Had to explain to them that I already had a long list of things to do without adding something new that I knew very little about to that list
After machining some brass for a job I made a rye comment about now needing to build a foundary to recycle all the brass chippings, couple of people thought I was serious about it
Had to explain to them that I already had a long list of things to do without adding something new that I knew very little about to that list
- highpockets
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 3667
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 4:04 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: PDJ Pilot Pro
Re: Z-Axis Probe (Plans)
WOW! Well done Ted.
Can't wait to see how you use it...
Can't wait to see how you use it...
John
Maker of Chips
Maker of Chips
-
- Vectric Apprentice
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2015 2:42 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Probotix Nebula
- Location: Barbados
Re: Z-Axis Probe (Plans)
Interested in this. Thanks for posting the probe design. I found the following links to auto-probing routines from the Probotix wiki page. Biased towards LinuxCNC and Mach3 but could be useful...I see G-code ripper in the list also.
Probing G-code Routines:
http://linuxcnc.org/docs/2.6/html/gcode ... :G38-probe
http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?Touch_Probe
http://www.timeguy.com/cradek/01262579508
http://lab.whitequark.org/notes/2014-07 ... -linuxcnc/
http://www.scorchworks.com/Blog/auto-pr ... de-ripper/
http://www.scorchworks.com/Gcoderipper/gcoderipper.html
https://forum.linuxcnc.org/49-basic-con ... with-probe
scott
Probing G-code Routines:
http://linuxcnc.org/docs/2.6/html/gcode ... :G38-probe
http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?Touch_Probe
http://www.timeguy.com/cradek/01262579508
http://lab.whitequark.org/notes/2014-07 ... -linuxcnc/
http://www.scorchworks.com/Blog/auto-pr ... de-ripper/
http://www.scorchworks.com/Gcoderipper/gcoderipper.html
https://forum.linuxcnc.org/49-basic-con ... with-probe
scott
-
- Vectric Apprentice
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2015 2:42 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Probotix Nebula
- Location: Barbados
Re: Z-Axis Probe (Plans)
The Regular Grid Importer Gadget v1.4 can import simple X,Y,Z point clouds and create 3d components all directly in Aspire.
Scott
Scott
- TReischl
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 4575
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:04 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: 8020 48X36X7 RP 2022 UCCNC Screenset
- Location: Leland NC
Re: Z-Axis Probe (Plans)
Thanks for that tidbit of info, I rarely look at the gadgets so I was not aware of it.sseale wrote:The Regular Grid Importer Gadget v1.4 can import simple X,Y,Z point clouds and create 3d components all directly in Aspire.
Scott
"If you see a good fight, get in it." Dr. Vernon Johns