CNC Probe
I wanted to add the capability to probe to our CNC milling machine. I looked at the 3D taster style indicator which I have used on a manual machine but for less money I thought I could set up an electronic probe that would find edges and surfaces but could also easily locate hole centers and do point cloud probing of 3D surfaces.
I purchased some two used Renishaw probe heads plus an optical transmitter. Renishaw invented this style of probe. Since this machine has limited Z travel I ditched the optical transmitter and mounting plate and set out to fabricate my own mounting plate that would also hold a connector to wire to the machine controller.
Solidworks model of the tool holder and mounting plate:
Lathe work:
Machining for connector to machine controller:
Finished adapter plate:
Finished assembly. Tool holder, adapter plate, and Renishaw probe head.
