[Rich05]

can this be done? any tips appreciated thanks !! Rich

I need to scan a fairly large object..

[ger21]

There's a plugin that uses a webcam and laser, but there's very little documentation for it.

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/ind...oard,67.0.html

[b5n7i2o5]

You can use touch probes also, like one from IMS service or a Renishaw type contact probe. You have to keep in mind limitations of a probing setup. Don't have time to go into it but ball diameter can cause some problems, depends on how accurate you have to be. Also the length of the probe may limit you also since you mention it is a big part. I have a renishaw setup I run with MAch 3 so I have some experience.

[flyboypete]

Hi
Not really that hard to do. Please see my photos of my home made touch probe.
You can either run a wizard from the mach 3 screen ( Wizards, pick wizard, digitization wizard) or download the probe plugin from the Mach Artsoft website.
You will have to connect the touch probe to an unused input and configure it in Ports and Pins in the Mcah main scrren and then you are in business.

Any questions please ask and I will try and steer you in the correct direction.

My homemade probe is extremely successful and I get about 0.007 mm variance if I probe a flat object, however this goes up to about 0.05 if I run the vertical probing speed at 400mm/min (the former figure is at 50mm/min)

Best regards
Peter Williams

[Tristar500]

can this be done? any tips appreciated thanks !! Rich

I need to scan a fairly large object..

If you are scanning something large then the mach "wizard digitizing" program will be mind numbing slow.

Unfortunately the later version add-on is non functional as far as I can tell.

Mach 2, 3, are really great software but forget about using the digitizing part of it.

L

[Boots]

I just put a laser pen into the spindle held lightly by a collet and tool holder. Lay the object on the table and go around it drawing it on the laptop using the numbers given by the readout on the machine. I use Alphacam to draw and cut but you can also use anytype of drawing software. Use 3 points to define your archs' and Radii. This is very simple and only cost me $3.50 for the Laser pen. I have done a lot of decking for Yachts using this method working from their paterns both paper and wood when they could not supply the drawing.

[ger21]

He wants to do 3D probing over a surface.

[Boots]

ahh. It would have been nice if he had stated that.

[bnio]

So is Rich still watching this thread or what? If so did you ever get your part digitzed Rich? What was it anyway and what solution did you come up with?