I upgraded my PRO 4896 to the new EX controller with tool touch off probe earlier this year and today I was about to re surface my spoil board because it’s getting pretty choppy. Just before I hit “cycle start” I stopped cold when I realized i was about to chew though the new tool touch off probe.
In fusion when you use the surface tool path you typically over cut your stock by 1/2” the tools diameter. I know I can set a perimeter and cut inside that but with only an 1/8” clearance between my 4x8 sheet of mdf and the side of the probe it makes me pretty nervous. I wanted to know how others have approached this as well as giving a friendly warning to anyone who may have not been thinking about this new caveat before surfacing their spoil board.
I’m not sure if this is the preferred way, but I’ve set my probe to below the spoil board surface. I’ll add an image to show. I don’t have any issues with the collet hitting the spoil board, make sure to set touch plate home as far left as possible. Only issue is I have to manually set tool height for surface cutters.
That’s a good solution. The software knows that it is below the work surface and in that scenario, you might get a warning about the tool hitting and having to manually drive an XY over the top of the tool height, etc. if your tool diameter is large.
I just cut about 1/4” away from the tool height setter with my large 2 3/4” diameter flattening bit and come back with a 1/2” endmill to clean up that edge. Seems to work fine so far. If someone comes up with a better idea I’m all ears as well.
I also have my spoilboard positioned just far enough for the touch plate to fit on the corner so I probably have about 1/4 or so between my spoilboard and the tool setter. Does make you pucker a little bit when it comes around though!
