Actually probe type doesn’t really matter.
I have (and need) two passive probes (with cable, from Tormach etc.) with different tips and tool holders - one for TTS and one for spindle speeder.
Searching this forum, “any tool can be a spindle probe” - great. Not so great - “path pilot requires tool 99 for the probing functions”
If that is the case it will be a kind a PIA as I would need to set the probe tool length each time I change to/from the spindle speeder. Also, it’s quite possible that I would use the smaller tip probe with the 10MM shank in a TTS holder in order to be able to probe into tight spaces. Although in that case the TTS holder would change the probe length also.
Thinking about it, I could use the 10MM without the spindle speeder and just not use it to probe Z. A minor but annoying inconvenience.
Am I stuck with only tool #99 for PP probing?
David,
If you are using any of the built in probing routines on the Probe/ETS tab you will need to use tool 99. If you are making your own probing routines then a G38.x command can be used with any tool.
Thank you,
Norman
Thanks,
That’s pretty much what I found out. I’ve not setup any of my own probing routines so it looks like I’m stuck setting up each probe how and when I choose to use it.
I’ve created 3 tools that aren’t #99 for:
#102 Small probe in TTS ER collet holder for 10 mm shaft
#103 Small probe in Spindle speeder ER collet
#104 Large probe in TTS adaptor.
I can just copy the lengths and diameters to #99 as needed.
Fact is that Z will change a bit each time for holding the small probe in a collet - not a big deal as I always confirm Z with an actual end mill if I need to be super precise.
Finally, I’m going to have to see just how repeatable the concentricity of the probe tip is each time it’s in and out of the collet. I might go for a high precision collet just for that probe.