General information about touch probe cycles

Method of function

 
Machine

The control’s full range of functions is available only if the Z tool axis is used.

Restricted use of the tool axes X and Y is possible when prepared and configured by the machine manufacturer.

8H000172

The touch probe functions allow you to set presets on the workpiece, measure the workpiece, and determine and compensate for workpiece misalignment.

Whenever the control runs a touch probe cycle, the 3D touch probe approaches the workpiece parallel to the axis. This is also true during an active basic rotation or with a tilted working plane. The machine manufacturer will determine the probing feed rate in a machine parameter.

Before you start working with touch probe cycles!

  • When the probe stylus contacts the workpiece,
  • the 3D touch probe transmits a signal to the control: the coordinates of the probed position are stored,
  • the touch probe stops moving, and
  • returns to its starting position at rapid traverse.

If the stylus is not deflected within a defined distance, the control displays an error message (distance: DIST from touch probe table).

Requirements

  • Calibrated workpiece touch probe
  • Calibrating the workpiece touch probe

    If you are using a HEIDENHAIN touch probe, the software option 17, Touch Probe Functions, is automatically enabled.

Working with an L-shaped stylus

In addition to a SIMPLE stylus, probing cycles 444 and 14xx also support the L-TYPE stylus, which is L-shaped. The L-shaped stylus must be calibrated prior to use.

Stylus orientation must be permitted via TRACK ON in the touch probe table. During the probing process, the control orients the L-shaped stylus to the given probing direction. If the probing direction is identical to the tool axis, then the control orients the touch probe to the calibration angle.

 
Tip
  • The control does not show the arm of the stylus in the simulation.
  • DCM (option 40) does not monitor the L-shaped stylus.
  • In order to achieve maximum accuracy, the feed rate during calibration must be identical to the feed rate during probing.

Touch probe table tchprobe.tp

Notes

 
Machine

The control must be specifically prepared by the machine manufacturer for the use of a 3D touch probe.

While touch probe functions are being executed, the control temporarily disables the Global Program Settings.

 
Tip

HEIDENHAIN guarantees the proper operation of the touch probe cycles only in conjunction with HEIDENHAIN touch probes.

Touch probe cycles in the Manual Operation and Electronic Handwheel modes

Touch probe cycles for automatic operation

Besides the manual touch probe cycles, several cycles are available for a wide variety of applications in automatic operation:

  • Automatic measurement of workpiece misalignment
  • Automatic determination of the preset
  • Automatic workpiece inspection
  • Special functions
  • Touch probe calibration
  • Automatic kinematics measurement
  • Automatic tool measurement

Defining touch probe cycles

Like the most recent machining cycles, touch probe cycles with numbers greater than 400 use Q parameters as transfer parameters. Parameters with the same functionality, which the control requires in various cycles, always have the same number: For example, Q260 is always the clearance height, Q261 the measuring height, etc.

There are various ways to define the touch probe cycles. Touch probe cycles are programmed in the Programming mode of operation.

Inserting via NC function:

SF_4_NCFunktion_Einfuegen

  1. Select Insert NC function
  2. The control opens the Insert NC function window.
  3. Select the desired cycle
  4. The control opens a dialog box and prompts you for all required input values.

Inserting via the TOUCH PROBE key:

TouchProbe

  1. Select the TOUCH PROBE soft key
  2. The control opens the Insert NC function window.
  3. Select the desired cycle
  4. The control opens a dialog box and prompts you for all required input values.
Navigation in the cycle

Key

Function

CursorRight

Navigation within the cycle:

Jump to next parameter

CursorLeft

Navigation within the cycle:

Jump to previous parameter

CursorDown

Jump to the same parameter in the next cycle

CursorUp

Jump to the same parameter in the previous cycle

 
Tip

For the various cycle parameters, the control provides selectable choices via the action bar or the form.

Available cycle groups

Machining cycles

Cycle group

Further information

Drilling/Thread

  • Drilling, reaming
  • Boring
  • Counterboring, centering
  • Tapping or thread milling

Pockets/studs/slots

  • Pocket milling
  • Stud milling
  • Slot milling
  • Face milling

Coordinate transformations

  • Mirroring
  • Rotating
  • Magnifying / Reducing

SL cycles

  • SL (Subcontour List) cycles for the machining of contours that possibly consist of several subcontours
  • Cylinder surface machining
  • OCM (Optimized Contour Milling) cycles for combining subcontours to form complex contours

Point patterns

  • Bolt hole circle
  • Linear hole pattern
  • Data Matrix code

Turning cycles

  • Area clearance cycles, longitudinal and transverse
  • Recess turning cycles, radial and axial
  • Recessing cycles, radial and axial
  • Thread cutting cycles
  • Simultaneous turning cycles
  • Special cycles

Special cycles

  • Dwell time
  • Program call
  • Tolerance
  • Oriented spindle stop
  • Engraving
  • Gear cycles
  • Interpolation turning

Grinding cycles

  • Reciprocating stroke
  • Dressing
  • Compensation cycles

Measuring cycles

Cycle group

Further information

Rotation

  • Probing of plane, edge, two circles, beveled edge
  • Basic rotation
  • Two holes or studs
  • Via rotary axis
  • Via C-axis

Preset/Position

  • Rectangle, inside or outside
  • Circle, inside or outside
  • Corner, inside or outside
  • Center of bolt circle, slot or ridge
  • Touch probe axis or single axis
  • Four holes

Measuring

  • Angle
  • Circle, inside or outside
  • Rectangle, inside or outside
  • Slot or ridge
  • Bolt hole circle
  • Plane or coordinate

Special cycles

  • Measuring or measuring in 3D
  • Probing in 3D
  • Fast probing

Calibrating the touch probe

  • Calibrating the length
  • Calibration in a ring
  • Calibration on a stud
  • Calibration on a sphere

Measuring kinematics

  • Saving the kinematics
  • Measure kinematics
  • Preset compensation
  • Kinematics grid

Measuring the tool (TT)

  • Calibrating the TT
  • Tool length, radius or measuring completely
  • Calibrating the IR-TT
  • Lathe tool measurement