Basics

Regular usage of the probe involves the following steps:

1. Load the Probe into the spindle collet

2. Set the current tool to Probe

   By setting/changing the tool to 3D Probe in the Controller or by running the command M6 T999990 in the MDI.

   

3. Calibrate the TLO

   For Z probing to be accurate the machine needs to perform a TLO calibration. This can be triggered via the ATC status-bar drop down option or by running the MDI command M491.

4. Ready to use Probing Commands

   Now the probe can be used in the Controller or MDI.

   

   

Probe UI Explanation

The Probe UI has 4 main sections:

1. Different probing types grouped by category. Note that this is a horizontal scroll bar.

   Type	MCode	Note
   Outside corner	M464	Finds outside corner locations
   Inside corner	M463	Inside corner locations
   Single axis	M466	X, Y, and/or Z touch-off
   Bore / pocket	M461	Inside circular or rectangular features
   Boss / Block	M462	Outside bosses and blocks
   Axis angle	M465	Angle for WCS rotation when used with that option
   Calibration	M469.1-5	Measures and suggests machine calibration changes to offsets for anchor 1, anchor 2, A-axis headstock, A-axis height (4th axis)
   Probe tip	M460.1	Measures the effective tip diameter on the probe
   4th axis — stock leveling	M465.1	Angular alignment of A-axis stock (Controller 4th axis probing section)

2. Buttons for the different probe variations within the category. When selecting a probing operation in the controller the graphics have a set up standards:

   • The probe start position is always denoted by a red dot, usually surrounded by a crosshair

   • The final desired probe position is denoted by a blue dot if it is different than the starting crosshair

   • Probing moves are denoted in bright blue with arrows

   • Coloured green, red, or dark blue lines denote dimension lines

   

3. Probing Parameters. Default values are displayed in grey, If you mouse over the input box a tooltip will appear with more details. Note You likely want to use the results of the probe to set the Work Coordinate System Origin. This is the Zero WCS (S) parameter. The letters in the brackets are the parameter keys used in the command sent to the machine. Read the firmware documentation for more details.

4. Spindle jogging control buttons

Example Videos

The following are community videos showing how they use the probe:

• Carvera Community - Using a 3 axis probe on the Makera Carvera on an existing bore to alter an existing part

• SBL - Carvera Air Fusion + 3D Probe Tutorial