probe module change routine

[dccfreak]

I have a TP-20 with two modules. I recently decided to have a rack built in my shop based on a design I had been thinking of. I would like to use this rack for auto changes, but, I run into one snag when I drop off the first module. The probe is no longer enabled. I am sure there is a way to work around this since the renishaw changer has this ability.

Does anyone have any ideas of a way to work around that issue?

Thanks,
Brad

[bw_bob]

If i'm not mistaken our probe changer had a cable which ran to the sharpe 32 controller box. Do you have a cable connection for yours ???

[Underspec]

Are you telling PCDMIS you are using a custom rack? How did you set this up? Or are you using scripts/DCC sub programs to do this?

[Don Ruggieri]

Magnets

There is a cable for the TP-200 rack. There is no cable for the TP-20 rack. It is all done with magnetic triggering, to disable the probe, etc.

I am not really sure of the detailed logic, but if you aren't disabling the probe then you won't get very far.

[dccfreak]

Unfortunately, I don't have a sharpe 32 controller. I have the old "beast" controller.

As far as running the subroutine, I was planning on just doing a regular dcc program to the rack and inserting the subroutine into any programs that I need it in. Most of the time, I can just manually swap the modules, but there a few programs coming through the pipeline that I would like to have the changes done automatically so I don't need to be there, but, as soon as the module disconnects from the probe head I'm out of business. I guess I am looking for a way to get the probe to move to the next position and pick up the other module but I am not sure how to get around that part. I know my subroutine would work fine if not for that issue. I actually have created a 3D model of my rack and imported it into the PC-DMIS fixture builder menu with the coordinates set to machine zero so I don't think that is giving me any issues yet, but, I can't advance to see what it does.

Don, are you saying if I disable the probe prior to removing the module that the head will continue to move? If so, I guess I need to see if there is a script or something that I can write to do this from within the PC-DMIS environment so I don't have to be there to do that. If not it kind of defeats my purpose.

Thanks again guys

[slinky1561]

The RENISHAW rack MCR20 has a series of magnets it the slot lids. This enables the probe when no module is installed. Dunno how, don't really care, but it works. Maybe you could put some small magnets along the front of the rack??

Just a thought...

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

That would only work with the TP20 that IS effected by magnets, the other model of it is NOT effected by magnets and it wouldn't work, at least, that is my guess.

[dccfreak]

Thanks for the magnet idea. I am going to give that a shot, because I did notice that as long as I kept the probe body within .250 or so of the drop off module the probe was still active but when I moved to the next position it died. I have some tiny magnets that are really powerful I am going to try this with. I will post my findings just in case someone else was thinking of going the "backwoods" approach.

I am almost certain that my company is not the only one that is this cheap when it comes to the dreaded Quality Department. .....or at least I hope not.

[JamesMannes]

If, when you get'r done, you care to part with the CAD(for a price?) I would be interested. My Co. is just as cheap. It would be interseting to here of your progress either way.
Thanks,

[T Miller]

If you get a rack do you also have to pay for an upgrad for pcdmis to know you have one? This is the only machine we have that does not have the rack on it.

[nferris1]

If, when you get'r done, you care to part with the CAD(for a price?) I would be interested. My Co. is just as cheap. It would be interseting to here of your progress either way.
Thanks,

https://youtu.be/dGdQcWPgqTE

I did get one to work properly.