Fundamentals

Application

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

Requirements

  • Touch Probe Functions software option (#17 / #1-05-1)
  •  
    Tip

    If you are using a HEIDENHAIN touch probe with EnDat interface, then the Touch Probe Functions software option (#17 / #1-05-1) is automatically enabled.

  • Calibrated workpiece touch probe
  • Calibrating the workpiece touch probe

Description of function

The control provides the following functions for setting up the machine in the Setup application of the Manual operating mode:

Within the functions, the control provides the following probing methods:

Overview

The touch probe functions are structured in the following groups:

Probe the angle

The Probe the angle group contains the following touch probe functions:

Button

Function

Plane (PL)

Use the Plane (PL) function to determine the solid angle of a plane.

You then save the values in the preset table or align the plane.

Plane over cylinder (PLC)

Use the Plane over cylinder (PLC) function to probe one or two cylinders, each at two different heights. The control calculates the solid angle of a plane from the points probed.

You then save the values in the preset table or align the plane.

Rotation (ROT)

Use the Rotation (ROT) function to determine the skew of a workpiece using a straight line.

Then save the determined skew as a basic transformation or offset in the preset table.

Determining and compensating the basic rotation of a workpiece

Intersection point (P)

Use the Intersection point (P) function to probe four probing objects. The probing objects can be either positions or circles. The control determines the intersection of the axes and the skew of the workpiece from the objects that have been probed.

You can set the intersection point as a preset. You can transfer the determined skew to the preset table as a basic transformation or as an offset.

 
Tip

The control interprets a basic transformation as a basic rotation, and an offset as a table rotation.

Preset table *.pr

You can compensate for the workpiece misalignment by rotating the table only if the machine is designed with a rotary table axis that is oriented perpendicularly with respect to the workpiece coordinate system W-CS.

Comparison of offset and 3D basic rotation

Probe the position

The Probe the position group contains the following touch probe functions:

Button

Function

Position (POS)

You can use the Position (POS) function to probe a position in the X axis, Y axis or Z axis.

Setting a preset in a linear axis

Circle (CC)

The Circle (CC) function is used to determine the coordinates of a circle center point (e.g., for a hole or for a stud).

Determining the circle center point of a stud using the automatic probing method

Circle pattern (CPAT)

The Circle pattern (CPAT) function is used to determine the center point coordinates of a circle pattern.

Centerline (CL)

The Centerline (CL) function is used to determine the center point of a ridge or slot.

Additional functions

The Additional functions group contains the following touch probe functions:

Button

Function

Calibrate touch probe

The Calibrate touch probe function is used to determine the length and radius of a workpiece touch probe.

Calibrating the workpiece touch probe

Measure tool

The Measure tool function allows you to measure tools by scratching.

In this function, the control supports milling tools, drilling tools and turning tools.

Werkzeug vermessen mit Ankratzen

Set up fixtures

The Set up fixtures function is used to determine the position of a clamping device in the working space using a workpiece touch probe (#140 / #5-03-2).

Integrating fixtures into collision monitoring (#140 / #5-03-2)

Set up the workpiece

The Set up the workpiece function is used to determine the position of a workpiece in the working space using a workpiece touch probe (#159 / #1-07-1).

Setting up the workpiece with graphical support (#159 / #1-07-1)

Icons and buttons

General icons and buttons in the touch probe functions

The following icons and buttons are available, depending on the selected touch probe function:

Icon or button

Meaning

Exit probing

Select the workpiece preset and the pallet preset and edit the values if required

The control shows the number of the active preset to the right of the icon.

The Change the preset window

Preset table *.pr

Display help graphics for the selected touch probe function

Select the probing direction

actual position capture

Manually approach and probe points on a straight surface

Measuring method M

Manually approach and probe points on a stud or in a hole

Measuring method A

Automatically approach and probe points on a stud or in a hole

After the last touching process and if the opening angle contains the value 360°, the control positions the workpiece touch probe back to the position it had prior to starting the probing function.

Tools

The control opens the Tool management application in the Tables operating mode.

Tool management

Internal stop

For example, if an NC program is interrupted due to an error or a stop, the control activates this button.

Use this button to abort program run.

Interrupting, stopping or canceling program run

Icons and buttons for calibration

The control offers the following functions for calibrating a 3D touch probe:

Icon or button

Meaning

Calibrating the length of a 3D touch probe

Calibrating the radius of a 3D touch probe

Apply calibration data

Transferring values from the calibration process into tool management

Calibrating the workpiece touch probe

You can calibrate a 3D touch probe by using a calibration standard, such as a calibrating ring.

The control provides the following options:

Icon

Meaning

Measure the radius and the center offset using a calibration ring

Measure the radius and the center offset using a stud or a calibration pin

Measure the radius and the center offset using a calibration sphere

Buttons in the Working plane is inconsistent! window

If the positions of the rotary axes do not match the tilting situation in the Manual operation and Setup applications, the control opens the Working plane is inconsistent! window. The status of the tilting situation is shown in the 3-D rotation window.

The 3-D rotation window (#8 / #1-01-1)

The control offers the following functions in the Working plane is inconsistent! window:

Button

Meaning

3-D ROT Apply status

  • If the positions of the rotary axes match the tilting situation in the program run (Program Run operating mode and MDI application), the control will apply this tilting situation.
  • Otherwise the control will apply the current rotary-axis angles as the tilting angles.

The 3-D rotation window shows the applied spatial or axis angles.

The 3-D rotation window (#8 / #1-01-1)

3-D ROT Ignore status

The control ignores the tilting situation and moves the axes as if the rotary axes were at their zero position.

Align the rotary axes

The control positions the rotary axes in a manner suitable to the current tilting situation.

If, for example, no tilting function is active and the rotary axes have been moved, the control then returns the rotary axes to their zero position.

Buttons for touch-probe functions

The control offers these buttons in the touch-probe functions during or after probing:

Button

Meaning

Remove last measurement

The Remove last measurement function causes the control to undo the last probe point.

The control offers this button only when using measuring method M.

Assume measurement result

The Assume measurement result function applies the measuring result for the current measurement.

The control offers this button only when using measuring method M.

Compensate the active preset

The Compensate the active preset function transfers the measuring result into the active line of the preset table.

Preset table *.pr

Correct the datum

The Correct the datum function transfers the measuring result into a desired row of the datum table.

Datum table *.d

Align rotary table

The Align rotary table function aligns the rotary axes mechanically according to the measuring result.

Correct the pallet reference point

The Correct the pallet reference point function transfers the measuring result into the active line of the pallet preset table.

Pallet preset table

 
Notice
Danger of collision!
The control may feature an additional pallet preset table, depending on the machine. Values that the machine manufacturer defined in the pallet preset table take effect before values that you defined in the preset table. The control indicates in the Positions workspace whether a pallet preset is active and if yes, which one. Since the values of the pallet preset table are neither visible nor editable outside the Setup application, there is a risk of collision during any movement!
  1. Refer to the machine manufacturer's documentation
  2. Use pallet presets only in conjunction with pallets
  3. Change pallet presets only after discussion with the machine manufacturer
  4. Check the pallet preset in the Setup application before you start machining

The Change the preset window

In the Change the preset window you can select a preset or edit the values of a preset.

Preset management

The Change the preset window provides the following buttons:

Icon or button

Meaning

The control shows the preset table.

Preset management

The control shows the pallet preset table.

Pallet preset table

Reset basic rotation

The control resets the values from the columns SPA, SPB and SPC.

Reset offsets

The control resets the values from the columns A_OFFS, B_OFFS and C_OFFS.

Apply changes and delete existing probe objects

The control activates the selected preset and rejects the touch points used so far. Then the control closes the window.

Apply

The control saves the changes and the selected preset. Then the control closes the window.

Reset

The control cancels the changes and restores the initial condition.

Cancel

The control closes the window without saving.

 
Tip

If you change a value, the control marks this value with a blue dot.

 
Notice
Danger of collision!
The control may feature an additional pallet preset table, depending on the machine. Values that the machine manufacturer defined in the pallet preset table take effect before values that you defined in the preset table. The control indicates in the Positions workspace whether a pallet preset is active and if yes, which one. Since the values of the pallet preset table are neither visible nor editable outside the Setup application, there is a risk of collision during any movement!
  1. Refer to the machine manufacturer's documentation
  2. Use pallet presets only in conjunction with pallets
  3. Change pallet presets only after discussion with the machine manufacturer
  4. Check the pallet preset in the Setup application before you start machining

Log file of touch probe cycles

After executing the respective touch-probe cycle, the control writes the measured values to the TCHPRMAN.html file.

You can check the readings of past measurements in the TCHPRMAN.html file.

If you have not defined a path in the machine parameter FN16DefaultPath (no. 102202), the control will store the TCHPRMAN.html file directly under TNC:.

If you run several touch probes cycles in a row, the control stores the measured values below each other.

Setting a preset in a linear axis

To probe the preset in any axis:

    1. Select the Manual operating mode

    1. Call the workpiece touch probe as a tool

    1. Select the Setup application

    1. Select the Position (POS) touch probe function
    2. The control opens the Position (POS) touch probe function.

    1. If necessary, check the values of the active preset or choose a different preset

    1. Use the axis keys to position the workpiece touch probe at the desired probing position (e.g., above the workpiece in the workspace)

    1. Select the probing direction (e.g., Z–)

    1. Press the NC start key
    2. The control performs the probing process and then automatically retracts the workpiece touch probe to the starting point.
    3. The control shows the measurement results.
    4. In the Nominal value area, enter the new preset of the probed axis (e.g., 1)

    1. Select Compensate the active preset
    2. The control enters the defined nominal value in the preset table.
    3.  
      Tip

      Using the Position (POS) probing function, you can probe in up to three axes.

    1. Select Exit probing
    2. The control closes the Position (POS) probing function.

    Determining the circle center point of a stud using the automatic probing method

    To probe a circle center point:

      1. Select the Manual operating mode

      1. Call the workpiece touch probe as a tool

      1. Select the Setup application

      1. Select Circle (CC)
      2. The control opens the Circle (CC) probing function.

      1. If necessary, check the values of the active preset or choose a different preset

      1. Select Measuring method A

      1. Select Type of contour (e.g., stud)
      2. Enter Diameter (e.g., 60 mm)

      1. Enter Safety clearance (min. value = SET_UP) if required
      2.  
        Tip

        The control suggests the total of the value in the SET_UP column of the touch probe table and the ball tip radius as a safety distance.

      1. Enter Starting angle (e.g., –180°)
      2. Enter Angular length (e.g., 360°)

      1. Position the 3D touch probe at the desired probing position next to the workpiece and below the workpiece surface
      2. If necessary, turn the feed rate potentiometer to zero

      1. Press the NC Start key

      1. If necessary, slowly turn up the feed-rate potentiometer
      2. The control executes the touch probe function based on the data entered.
      3. The control shows the measurement results.
      4. In the Nominal value area, enter the new preset of the scanned axes (e.g., 0)

      1. Select Compensate the active preset
      2. The control sets the preset to the entered nominal value.

      1. Select Exit probing
      2. The control closes the Circle (CC) probing function.

      Determining and compensating the basic rotation of a workpiece

      To probe the basic rotation of a workpiece:

        1. Select the Manual operating mode

        1. Call the 3D touch probe as a tool

        1. Select the Setup application

        1. Select Rotation (ROT)
        2. The control opens the Rotation (ROT) probing function.

        1. If necessary, check the values of the active preset or choose a different preset

        1. Position the 3D touch probe at the desired probing position in the workspace

        1. Select the probing direction (e.g., Y+)

        1. Press the NC start key
        2. The control executes the first probing process and limits the subsequently selectable probing directions.

        1. Position the 3D touch probe at the second probing position in the workspace

        1. Press the NC start key
        2. The control executes the probing process and then shows the measurement results.

        1. Activate the Basic rotation toggle switch as needed

        1. Select Compensate the active preset
        2. The control transfers the determined basic rotation with respect to the tool axis to the SPC column of the active line of the preset table.

        1. Select Exit probing
        2. The control closes the Rotation (ROT) probing function.
         
        Tip

        Instead of Basic rotation you can also select the Table rotation toggle switch. The control then transfers the values into columns A_OFFS, B_OFFS or C_OFFS.

        Using touch probe functions with mechanical probes or dial gages

        If your machine does not have an electronic 3D touch probe, you can use all manual touch probe functions with manual probing methods with mechanical buttons or with scratching.

        For this, the control provides the Accept position button.

        To determine a basic rotation with a mechanical probe:

          1. Select the Manual operating mode

          1. Insert the tool, such as an analog 3D probe or feeler lever gage

          1. Select the Setup application

          1. Select the Rotation (ROT) probing function

          1. If necessary, check the values of the active preset or choose a different preset

          1. Select the probing direction (e.g., Y+)
          2. Move the mechanical probe to the first position to be captured by the control.

          1. Select Accept position
          2. The control saves the current position.
          3. Move the mechanical probe to the next position to be captured by the control.

          1. Select Accept position
          2. The control saves the current position.

          1. Activate the Basic rotation toggle switch as needed

          1. Select Compensate the active preset
          2. The control transfers the determined basic rotation with respect to the tool axis to the SPC column of the active line of the preset table.

          1. Select Exit probing
          2. The control closes the Rotation (ROT) probing function.
           
          Tip

          Instead of Basic rotation you can also select the Table rotation toggle switch. The control then transfers the values into columns A_OFFS, B_OFFS or C_OFFS.

          Notes

          • If you use a non-contacting tool touch probe (such as a laser touch probe), then you are using touch-probe functions from a third-party supplier. Refer to your machine manual.
          • The accessibility of the pallet preset table in the touch-probe functions depends on the machine manufacturer's configuration. Refer to your machine manual.
          • When probing while the guard door is open and spindle orientation to probing direction is active, the number of spindle revolutions is limited. When the maximum permitted number of spindle revolutions is reached, the direction of spindle rotation changes and the control may no longer orient the spindle on the shortest path.
          • Use the +, -, *, /, (, and ) keys for calculations in the numerical input fields.
          • If you try to set a preset in a locked axis, the control will issue either a warning or an error message, depending on what the machine manufacturer has defined.
          • When writing into an empty line of the preset table, the control automatically fills the other columns with values. To define a preset completely, you must determine the values in all axes and write them into the preset table.
          • If no tool touch probe is inserted, the actual position can be captured with NC START. The control displays a warning that no probing movement is carried out in that case.
          • Recalibrate the workpiece touch probe in the cases below:
            • Initial configuration
            • Broken stylus
            • Stylus replacement
            • Change in the probe feed rate
            • Irregularities caused, for example, when the machine heats up
            • Change of active tool axis
          • If the touch point is not reached during the touching process, the control will display a warning. The probing process can be continued with NC Start.
          • The machine manufacturer use the optional machine parameter trackAsync (no. 122503) to define whether the control orients the spindle during pre-positioning for probing. This can save time during automatic probing procedures. Additionally, the control takes the calibrated center offset of L-shaped styli into account for the spindle tracking speed. This means that the speed at the ball tip is at most the rapid traverse of the probe FMAX, which increases safety during probing.

          Definition

          Spindle tracking
          If the Track parameter in the touch probe table is active, the control orients the workpiece probing system so that the same position is always used for probing. By deflecting in the same direction, you can reduce the measurement error to the repeatability of the workpiece probing system. This behavior is called spindle tracking.