Which probe to buy for Ex/ATC?

21

Here’s how I’d eliminate that step and still get dead on precision:

  1. Z-zero reference from your spoilboard (not the top of workpiece)
  2. In Fusion, model your stock size; but make it generic: ie: 5x5x2" (or whatever)
  3. In real life: Cut your stock slightly thicker (ie: 2.100")
  4. First op in Fusion is a facing op at stock top.

Now you have stock at the perfect size for the flip.

The hard part of this is hold down; you have to hold the stock down where you can face the top.

For me…I just use my planer; it is within 0.005" or less with my DRO on it, and that is fine for woodworking.

Just trying to toss out some new ideas to save you some time!

22

…and this is pretty much how I design all my 2-sided bowls. I usually model the rough stock, and place my bowl in the middle. I do the bowl “bottom” first, and face it. In Fusion, for my 2nd op, I create a plane at the bottom of the bowl, and use that as my z-zero origin.

23

Thats a great idea - I think I will set that up on my next batch. Normally I am planing level by level and measuring with calipers to get close, but doing the final pass as part of the final program would be better.

24

Eric,
You mention the software is “in the wizard” for the probe. Does this allow for digitizing parts, ie, tracing OD curves and ID holes, etc, to create full outlines? Or is more software needed to digitize?

25

To actually get the points everything you need is in CNC12. You’ll need an external CAD program to process the point clouds. You can convert them to DXF with G Code Ripper which is free.