The STEPCRAFT 3D Touch Probe is a precision measuring instrument designed for use with STEPCRAFT CNC gantry milling systems, specifically the D-, M-, and Q-Series machines. It enables users to accurately scan three-dimensional objects, determine coordinates, and perform various measurement tasks. This device is primarily intended for private users and is not designed for large-scale production or integration into assembly lines.
Function Description:
The 3D Touch Probe serves multiple functions within the CNC milling environment:
- Precise Measurement: It allows for the accurate probing of non-planar surfaces and three-dimensional bodies, facilitating the determination of coordinates for edges, corners, and center points of workpieces.
- Object Reproduction: By scanning surfaces as point clouds, objects can be reproduced or used as 3D models in third-party software (e.g., STL format). This is particularly useful for creating digital representations of physical objects.
- Surface Compensation: The probe can be used to compensate for uneven surfaces, allowing for accurate engraving or milling on curved or irregular workpieces. This function integrates with CNC software to adjust toolpaths based on the scanned surface data.
- Zero Point Determination: It assists in setting zero points, including those that are difficult to access or where a traditional tool length sensor cannot fit. This is achieved by compensating for the length difference between the probe and the actual milling tool.
- Coordinate System Rotation: The probe can adapt the internal coordinate system to diagonally clamped workpieces, calculating the angle of rotation based on two measured points. This ensures accurate machining even with non-aligned workpieces.
- Automatic Probing: Integrated macros within the CNC software (like UCCNC and WinPC-NC) enable automated probing of contours, edges, and corners, streamlining the measurement process.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Housing Diameter: 44 mm
- Housing Length (without probe tip): 53 mm
- Probe Tip Diameter: 2 mm
- Probe Length: 45 mm
- Cable Length: 2.0 m
- Probe Tip Sensitivity: Adjustable from 0.5 to 2.5 N
- Protection Class: IP64 (Dust-tight and protected against splashing water)
Usage Features:
The 3D Touch Probe is designed for ease of use and integration with STEPCRAFT CNC systems:
- Connectivity: It connects to the milling machine's control unit via a 3.5 mm jack plug. For D-Series (2nd generation) machines, direct hardwiring of the probe's cables to the machine control is also possible.
- Mounting: The probe features a 43 mm euro neck housing, allowing it to be clamped directly into a 43 mm euro neck holder. Alternatively, with an 8 mm fastening spigot, it can be used with an 8 mm collet in a milling motor, provided the motor is disconnected from the power supply during installation.
- Calibration: The probe tip can be precisely centered using three calibration screws on the housing, requiring a 1.5 mm hex key. This process involves creating a reference mark with a 2 mm end mill and then aligning the probe tip to this mark.
- Sensitivity Adjustment: The sensitivity of the return spring can be adjusted with a 3 mm hex key via a preload adjuster. This allows users to adapt the probe's trigger force to different material hardnesses, preventing material deformation during probing.
- Software Integration: The probe is deeply integrated with STEPCRAFT's CNC software, UCCNC and WinPC-NC, which provide dedicated functions and macros for various probing tasks, including automatic contour probing, dimension and center determination, end mill length compensation (P-Zero), coordinate system rotation (Align to Angle), and surface determination (Autoleveler CA-Plugin for scanning).
- UCCNC Specifics:
- Automatic Probing: Features buttons for automatically probing edges, corners, and determining Z-zero points.
- Dimension and Center Determination: Allows finding outer and inner dimensions and center points of circular and angular forms. Users are prompted to enter approximate dimensions for safety margins.
- P-Zero Function: Compensates for tool length differences, enabling the probe to set zero points for tools that cannot directly use a tool length sensor. Requires a tool length sensor (e.g., TS-32) for calibration.
- Align to Angle: Rotates the coordinate system to match the angle of a diagonally clamped workpiece, using two measured points to calculate the rotation.
- Autoleveler CA-Plugin (Scan): Enables projecting planar drawings onto uneven surfaces and scanning 3D shapes into point clouds for further processing in CAD/CAM software (e.g., Vectric VCarve, Autodesk Fusion 360) and point cloud processing software (e.g., MeshLab).
- WinPC-NC Specifics:
- Manual Control: Provides a menu for manual control of the 3D probe, including functions for probing edges and finding the center point in a contour.
- Probe Diameter and Speed: Allows setting the probe diameter (preset to 2 mm) and probing speed, with slower speeds recommended for higher accuracy.
- Zero Point Setting: After probing, users can set X- and Y-axis zero points based on the determined coordinates, considering a Z-safety distance.
Maintenance Features:
- Work Area Safety: Emphasizes keeping the work area clean, well-lit, and free of obstructions, with sufficient space for machine movement.
- Regular Checks: Users are advised to regularly check the machine and accessories for technical integrity, ensuring all components are in perfect working order before each operation.
- Emergency Stop: The emergency stop switch must always be easily accessible and fully functional. Its functionality should be tested before each use.
- Liquid Avoidance: The use of liquids (e.g., coolant pumps) on the machine is prohibited to prevent damage to electronics. Minimal quantity lubrication (MMS) is allowed on specific vacuum tables (e.g., "Vakuumtisch PE") but should be applied as a droplet lubrication to avoid swelling of MDF tables.
- Periodic Maintenance: A periodic maintenance schedule is recommended. Cleaning should be done carefully to avoid disassembling any part of the tool. Certain cleaning agents can damage surfaces.
- Professional Repair: In case of damage, the power tool should be serviced by a qualified repair person using identical replacement parts to maintain safety.
- Proper Use: The product should only be used for its intended purpose to avoid personal injury or material damage.
- Storage: The CNC gantry milling system, including all tools, small parts, and electrical components, should be stored out of reach of children.
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