Probing

Probe Basic has number of include probing routines.

Probing Setup

To begin probing you fist need to make sure you have connected motion.probe-input in your HAL file.

Next add an entry in your Tool Table for the probe, including the tip diameter and length offset.

Note

TODO: Document best practice for measuring the probe tools length offset. Post by Lcvette suggesting a good method to setup both a probe and tool setter. https://forum.linuxcnc.org/qtpyvcp/49102-3d-probe-electric-tool-setter-together-in-pb#271349

There are also a number of probing parameters that need to be populate as well. The help tab include pointers on some of these entries.

Work Offsets

This area allows you to select a Workpiece Coordinate Offsets (WCO) and if it is to be updated as a result of probing.

G5x:

Set the active Workpiece Coordinate Offset, which maybe updated.

PROBE WCO:

Update the selected WCO system (G54, G55, etc).

PROBE POS’N:

Do not update a WCO, just display the results below.

Parameters

PROBE TOOL#:

This should be set to match the probe entry in you tool table.

STEP OFF WIDTH:

How far the probe will travel in either X or Y before moving down a side.

PROBE FAST FDRATE:

Fast feed rate, for first touch when probing.

PROBE SLOW FDRATE:

Slow feed rate for second touch when probing. If set to 0 (zero) a second touch will not be perform and the result from the fast probe is used.

MAX X/Y DISTANCE:

Maximum distance to travel in either X or Y before tripping out.

X/Y CLEARANCE:

Retract distance for X and Y probing after touch, this should be at least larger than any backlash in the axis.

MAX Z DISTANCE:

Maximum distance to travel in Z before tripping out.

Z CLEARANCE:

Retract distance for Z probing after touch, this should be at least larger than any backlash in the axis.

EXTRA PROBE DEPTH:

Extra distance to move down a side (after probe diameter) before probing in X or Y.

EDGE WIDTH:

Distance between test points when probing for Edge Angle’s.

Probe Results

This shows the results from the last probing run. There are reset button to clear the data if needed.

Probing Routines

The purple dot in each button shows the position at which your probe tip should be approximately placed before starting the probe run. The Z height above the work piece should be no more than your “MAX Z DISTANCE” parameter.

Outside Corners

Inside Corners

Boss and Pocket

Ridge and Valley

Edge Angle

Rotary Axis

Calibrate

As most probes require a small deflection of the tip before tripping, PROBE CALIBRATION OFFSET is used to account for this and can be set using these calibration routines and an accurately measured standard gauge.

Tip

Calibration video from Lcvette https://youtu.be/Qr9L6dyXf2A

Help

Included here for offline reference, though a running PB instance may have more up to date help.