Can’t seem to select the proper category for this question, but I haven’t been able to find out any information regarding it either in search engines or the forum. I have a large diameter (2") inserted carbide face mill that I would like to use as the first op on many of my programs, but it doesn’t seem like the TLS is equipped to deal with tools like this sort of tool. As a one off tool I could set a small piece of stock on the TLS that spanned the inserts and then subtract the height for the tool afterwards, but there doesn’t seem to be any way to do anything like this when you are using the normal tool change routines within a program that has multiple too changes.
Is there a way to indicate to gsender that a tool is larger and needs an offset to the probe position to be able to correctly get the height?
Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Not sure if you have Sienci’s TLS but it looks like there is plenty of room to fix something to the top to increase the diameter without the addition hitting anything. 3D printing something that fit snug could be an option or maybe gluing a metal disk of some sort to the top.
As long as the surface stays flat and level and doesn’t interfere with the ‘button’ being pushed it should be okay, in my opinion.
I’m not an engineer and I don’t know how strong a TLS is so I’d be wary of pressing too hard on the button etc while making the mod. In operation it should be okay as long as what you do isn’t heavy enough to push the button by itself.
In my mind I was avoiding wood because of warping, swelling with humidity changes. This might not be a problem if the wood doesn’t have time to change between tools.
Thank you! It didn’t even occur to me that the TLS (and yes, I have the Sienci one) doesn’t care how tall the pad is on it as long as all the tools touch off at the same height. If I were to make a disc that fit my largest tool and attach it as flat as possibly to the sensor, then I wouldn’t have to make any corrections to any of my tools. Granted I wouldn’t get the nice hardened surface the probe has now except if I make a hardened disc for it, but it will work. I appreciate your advice!
Maybe this would be a good opportunity to mill some aluminium. Don’t know if you’ve done that but it’s doable with a LongMill or AltMill. You’d want accurate work holding but when you mill the circle pocket for the existing button to fit into you’d be able to start small and gradually increase for a good fit. It may not be as hard as the current surface but aluminium works for touch blocks so… why not?
I’m thinking if it fits well there may be no reason to glue it or anything. The bits are generally going to press in the center.
