Monday, 08 July 2024

Wireless probe kits

 The Fusion 360 integrated probing routines are very powerful when used on their own, but if you already have an automatic tool changer (ATC) then a wireless probe takes your mill to another level of usefulness.

To this end, we developed our own conversion kit for the Tormach passive probe (SPU40, part no. 32309 and 32310), or the Hallmark ITTP.  The conversion takes the form of a small electronics enclosure mounted on the side of the standard probe and a base station that plugs in to the accessory port of your mill, where the standard wired probe used to go.  In addition to the wireless probe interface, the base station also provides a pair of auxiliary input ports to allow, for example, an electronic tool setter to be used at the same time.

Below is a series of photographs that show the process of converting the Tormach passive probe to wireless operation.  If anything, the ITTP is simpler to convert as no soldering is required.

You can download instructions on setting up and using the wireless probe here and the kits are available via our web shop.  You can also download the Windows App you need to reconfigure the probe and/or receiver.

Probe components

Probe Components

Empty probe body

Installing the new cables

Ready f or the electronics

Fit the electronics module

Connecting the wires

Finished

From above

Probe and base station

The SPU40 is simple enough to dismantle

Once the screws have been removed, lift up the pcb and cut the original cable to remove the pcb.

Removing the cable gland is the hardest part. Trick is to spot there's a hex inside, so you can use a hex key to unscrew it. The body's held in with thread lock that makes it difficult to remove otherwise

The new cables are threaded through from the outside of the body to reach the pcb. Make sure the wires leave the pcb at right angles to the board so they can pass through the openings in the probe body.

The probe is now reassembled and the ends of the new wires are hanging out of the opening where the cable gland used to be

The electronics module simply clips over the probe body, with the new wires lead inside the case

The new wires are a push fit over pins on the pcb

That's all there is to it

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Probe components

The SPU40 is simple enough to dismantle

Watch a video of the later (post 2020) Tormach passive probe being converted to wireless operation.

 

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This site was last updated 05/25/23