Fundamentals
Application
The touch probe functions allow you to set presets on the workpiece, measure the workpiece, and determine and compensate for workpiece misalignment.
Related topics
- Automatic touch probe cycles for the workpiece
- Preset table
- Datum table
- Reference systems
- Preassigned variables
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
Description of function
The control provides the following functions for setting up the machine in the Setup application of the Manual operating mode:
- Define the workpiece preset
- Determine and compensate for workpiece misalignment
- Calibrate the workpiece touch probe
- Calibrate the tool touch probe
- Measure the tool
- Set up fixtures (#140 / #5-03-2)
Integrating fixtures into collision monitoring (#140 / #5-03-2)
- Set up the workpiece (#159 / #1-07-1)
Setting up the workpiece with graphical support (#159 / #1-07-1)
Within the functions, the control provides the following probing methods:
- Manual probing method
You position and start individual probing processes manually within a touch probe function.
- Automatic probing method
You manually position the touch probe to the first probing point before the start of the probing routine and fill out a form with the individual parameters for the respective touch probe function. When you start the touch probe function, the control automatically positions and automatically performs probing.
Determining the circle center point of a stud using the automatic probing method
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 |
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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. |
The control interprets a basic transformation as a basic rotation, and an offset as a table rotation.
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.
Probe the position
The Probe the position group contains the following touch probe functions:
Button | Function |
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Position (POS) | You can use the Position (POS) function to probe a position in the X axis, Y axis or Z 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 |
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Calibrate touch probe | The Calibrate touch probe function is used to determine the length and radius of a 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. |
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 |
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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. | |
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. |
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. |
Icons and buttons for calibration
The control offers the following functions for calibrating a 3D touch probe:
Icon or button | Meaning |
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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 |
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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 |
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3-D ROT Apply status |
The 3-D rotation window shows the applied spatial or axis angles. |
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 |
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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. |
Correct the datum | The Correct the datum function transfers the measuring result into a desired row of the datum table. |
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. |
- Refer to the machine manufacturer's documentation
- Use pallet presets only in conjunction with pallets
- Change pallet presets only after discussion with the machine manufacturer
- 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.
The Change the preset window provides the following buttons:
Icon or button | Meaning |
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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. |
If you change a value, the control marks this value with a blue dot.
- Refer to the machine manufacturer's documentation
- Use pallet presets only in conjunction with pallets
- Change pallet presets only after discussion with the machine manufacturer
- 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: | ||
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Determining the circle center point of a stud using the automatic probing method
To probe a circle center point: | ||
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Determining and compensating the basic rotation of a workpiece
To probe the basic rotation of a workpiece: | ||
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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: | ||
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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.