Surface scan
- Install a probe at your machine which triggers the Probe pin (A5 at arduino) when touching the work piece surface.
A NO (normally open) switch, connected to ground and A5, is what we need. (Or when using a NC (normally closed) switch change $6=1).
Note: if the probe is triggered, the Z axis needs some time and distance to decelerate which could cause mechnical stress to your probe (depending on mounting). - Be sure the max. speed settings $110, $111, $112 are not too high - causing step loss
- A homing of the machine is recommended
- Find the needed travel range downwards for the Z axis. Manual probing can be started via the command "G38.3 Z-5 F200" (probe toward workpiece, stop on contact), where Z-5 a max. travel deepth of 5 units (mm) defines with a speed of 200. If the probe is not triggered until -5, a deepth of -5 will be assumed.
With the manual triggered probing you can check the difference between Z position where the probe was triggered (check output in COM window) and the final stop position (check position in main window). - Setup and run the surface scan
Some examples of DIY probes:
1 with micro-switch, 2, 3 using a needle, 4, 5 made of brass
- Open the surface scan window via [Machine control - Surface scan].
- Define the area where to scan the height profile via lower-left and upper-right edge, or via lower-left edge and X- and Y-dimension.
- Set the distance from one to the next measurement point via "Grid size" in units (mm)
- Set the needed deepth for probing before abort a specific probing
- Set the safe height above the work piece. Note: as less travel way the Z axis has, as faster the surface scan is.
- Finally set the speed of the probing (moving downwards speed). The upwards speed is defined by the $110 setup, because "G0" is used.