HEIDENHAIN TNC 370 - 9.1 General Information on Touch Probes

9 3D Touch Probes
9.1 General Information on Touch Probes
The TNC supports the use of a HEIDENHAIN touch probe system.
Typical applications for touch probe systems are automatic datum
setting, fully automatic tool measurement and digitizing 3D surfaces.
The following 3D touch probe systems are available:
l TS 120 triggering touch probe for cost-effective digitizing
l TS 630 triggering touch probe for machines with automatic tool
changers
l lT 120 tool touch probe for measurement and inspection of tools
TS 120 Triggering touch probe
The TS 120 is a cost-effective alternative for applications where digitiz-
ing is not frequently required. The TS 120 touch probe provides digitizing
speeds up to 300 millimeters per minute (at a probe point interval of 0.5
mm).
The triggering touch probe design utilizes an electrical triggering signal
that is generated as soon as the stylus is deflected. The touch probe
transmits the signal to the TNC through the connecting cable. Within
fractions of a second the TNC calculates the actual position of the touch
probe from the machine’s position encoders and stores the position
data. It then generates a program containing straight line blocks in
HEIDENHAIN format from the measured data. This program is output
through the data interface and stored in a PC. You can subsequently
use the HEIDENHAIN SUSA evaluation software for processing the
digitized data, such as to calculate male/female transformations, tool
paths for tool radii and tool shapes that differ from the shape of the
probe stylus tip.
Fig. 9.1 TS 120 triggering touch probe
You can also use the TS 120 touch probe in conjunction with the TNC’s
touch probe cycles for easy datum setting or workpiece measurement.
TS 630 Triggering touch probe
The TS 630 features infrared transmission of the triggering signal to the
TNC. This makes it highly convenient for use on machines with automat-
ic tool changers. Functioning of the TS 630 touch probe is based on the
same principle as the TS 120 touch probe.
You can also use the TS 630 in conjunction with the TNC’s touch probe
cycles for easy datum setting or workpiece measurement.
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Fig. 9.2
TS 630 triggering touch probe
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TNC 370