CNC machines and software:
This digitizing probe is specially designed for CNC machines with relatively small vertical movement (popular series CNC3020, 4030, 6040 etc), but not limited to them. CNCs can be controlled by hobby or semi-professional software like Mach3, LinuxCNC, EdingCNC, PlanetCNC, NCStudio, KMotionCNC etc.

The principle of work:
The digitizer requires only one input port and works as quality mechanical on/off switch. When it touches, it breaks the circuit. I recommend you to use an opto-isolated input, where the probe should drive the opto-LED, while you take the output signal from the opto-transistor. But even a simple scheme with pull-up or pull-down resistor should work fine.

The advantages of this model are:
  • Compact sizes (body HxD = 28x32mm, polished conical tip = 21mm with a delicate dot-end).
  • Polished shank = 15x3mm can be clamped both in 3mm and 1/8" collet.
  • High sensor accuracy (0.002mm vertical and 0.01mm horizontal).
  • Easy to connect / disconnect to your signal wires using a flat screw driver.
  • The sensor's tip allows overrun of ~4 mm in the vertical (Z) and up to 5mm in a horizontal direction (XY), which lets the time to CNC system to stop the motion after detecting the touch before the sensor or object can be broken due to the collision. This allows operating at higher speeds compared to a primitive electric touch sensors. You do not need connecting wires to the digitizing object itself, which can be made of any (conductive or non-conductive) rigid material.
  • Low touch pressure ~40g minimizes impact of the sensor on the measuring object.

The probe may have a small degree of swash, which is not a defect. The end of its tip is adjusted to be on the same axis line as the shank. The measurements are supposed to be done by the end of tip.

Examples, where this sensor is very useful:
  • Locating edges of objects, centres of holes (starting from 2mm in diameter).
  • Surface scanning to flatten the space before PCB engraving.
  • Scanning of metal or non-metal curvy surfaces for decorative work / engraving.
  • Creating 3D models by discrete scanning of objects.
  • Automated measurements and control.
Etc.

The items will be shipped within 2 work days from France.