TP20 or TP200?

[Quality ish]

This isn't a question of "which is better?".

It's more like: "How can I tell which I've got?".

Being a lowly Inspector, CONSTANTLY kept out of the loop on ANYTHING having to do with ANYTHING that affects my job, I was told ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about the Global Performance floor model 12.15.10 we got in back in early 2017. I've used it and learned as much as I could on it. But I don't know which it is. A 20 or a 200?

How can I tell?

Heck, when they decided we needed a crane to lift heavy parts to and from the CMM's surface plate, they didn't consult ANYONE in Quality. Now we have a 16" diameter blue crane shaft rising from the floor 8" from the corner of the CMM, and about a foot from the table holding the computer that's attached to the CMM... I'm about 6 and a half feet from the part on my table as I write this. Now compound the issue because I have bifocals, and you can imagine the back and forth traveling I do just to touch off parts. (keep in mind: I don't have CAD. I have to touch off the physical part and write the program that way, correcting vectors and nominals as I go. Yay.

[AndersI]

They are quite distinct - compare yours with https://www.renishaw.com/en/tp20--6670 and https://www.renishaw.com/en/tp200--6671

[Rich P]

TP20 is marked on the module as well as "force" type of module , has a larger black boot
Tp200 is not, flat black cover. Just Renishaw and "force" type on label
Alignment to probe body is same but these are not interchangeable
Slots for changer are different

screenshot
TP20 left & TP200 right

[RandomJerk]

The body (the part the module sticks to) for a TP20 is about as long as the module. The TP200 is about 3X longer than the module.

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

All of my TP20 stuff has TP20 on it somewhere.

[Quality ish]

Okay. I think I've got it figured, and the difference is obvious. I have both.

I've got TP20 on the Sheffield Discovery 12 (2017R2), the 1996 B&S Excel (2018R1), and TP200 on the Global Performance 12.15.10 (2018R2).

Of course, I'm calling the Global TP200, because there's no markings on the body whatsoever and it's about 20 years newer than both other units, and they're both clearly marked with TP20. The fact that it has a scanner head means a different set up completely than the other two, but if I had to guess....


Three different manufacturers, three slightly different variations of the same software, and one frazzled me. lol

[louisd]

TP20's and TP200's are not scanning probes. They both can only capture data via touch-trigger points. The two are about as comparable in design and function as any other sensor.

When I see problems like this at work, I try to look at them as more of an opportunity for improvement.

Own the issues you face and see if you can support fixing them, rather than internalizing them, or worse yet, just complaining to your supervisor. If you show initiative to improve not only your perception/attitude, but also your skillset and the effectiveness/efficency of the organization, I bet they will embrace any/all of it, and maybe next time even include you in providing input on the next big change.

For example since all 3 machines are running different rev's of the SW, maybe ask if you could standardize them.
Ask your boss for CAD. Ask your engineers for CAD. Ask your machine shop or vendors for CAD (as permitted). -You might be surprised that someone has it squirreled away someplace.
Let your boss know you want to be as efficient as possible, and if you had CAD not only will the quality/repeatability of your work improve, but so will your throughput. No boss would turn down acting upon that initiative, especially if all it takes is an email.

[Quality ish]

Yeah...

Not here.

[sealevel]

louisd, you make great points all. Unfortunately, most management puts co$t at the head of the parade.(sour taste at the initial outlay of dough and risk of new methods).
Stellar management (though rare in the U.S.) sees several years down the road, and realizes the stuff you mention-- is the better company blueprint.....one that bears fruit to everyone!

[louisd]

Funny you say that, I was fired from my last employer for, brace yourself, "Trying to improve the organization outside of scope of work". Of all the jobs I've held, that's the only time I've ever been fired. So yeah, short-sighted toxic work cultures sometimes burn the good folk at the stake. I look at it as a defining moment for me, that I make sure the companies I work for foster improvement, prior to accepting a role.

There's more to the story, new quality manager removed "...and continuous improvement..." from his title intentionally when he took the role. I was gone 3 months later. He said they didn't have time for continuous improvement, during the exit interview.. smh.