New Touch Probes Combine Infrared And Radio Transmission

Wear-free optical sensing and through-probe coolant flushing or air blowing to clean the surfaces being measured are pre-existing attributes. Overlaid on the already high specification are several novel features, one of which is the ability to feed signals back to the control via an infrared (IR) or radio link. The ability to switch between the two modes of wireless transmission is not available on any other make of touch probe, according to Neil Prescott, managing director of HEIDENHAIN (GB), Burgess Hill.

It means that the same unit can be swapped between different machine tools on a shop floor, irrespective of whether they are equipped with IR or radio communication, saving the cost of buying extra probes. The hybrid products are the TS 460 for workpiece touch probing and the table-mounted TT 460 with contact plate for tool length and diameter measurement.

A further advantage, mainly applicable to larger machines, is mixed operation using both forms of data communication. It allows the long range of radio transmission to reach the tool changer so that a workpiece probe can be activated, ready for use. Subsequently switching to IR during probing exploits the increased speed and accuracy of data transmission at infrared frequencies.

A radio beam also enables the coordinates of deep features being probed in complex components to reach the receiver, whereas IR may not provide a signal at all, however close the probe is. So the best of both radio and IR communication technologies is available to a machinist using HEIDENHAIN’s new hybrid probes together with the SE 660 transmitter / receiver unit manufactured specifically for them.

Another, patented innovation is the inclusion of an optional rubber coupling in the body of the workpiece probes, positioned between the stylus and shank, to protect the unit in the event of an axial collision. Should the probe body impact a workpiece, fixture or the machine structure due to an error in the program, the coupling deflects. An instruction is sent automatically to the control, which stops the axis feed drives within a fraction of a second. Additionally, the coupling thermally isolates the stylus from the spindle, eliminating expansion or contraction and resulting in more accurate measurements.

Underlining the superiority of the latest HEIDENHAIN probes is the inclusion of two additional new features relating to the probe’s power supply, which is provided by two replaceable batteries. An intelligent battery management system provides five progressively deeper sleep levels that prolong battery life significantly. Furthermore, commercially available, standard rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries of any type or make can be used, allowing the user to shop around for the most cost-effective option.

HEIDENHAIN also offers two cable-connected models that have even smaller dimensions - the TS 260 workpiece touch probe, which is suited to use on grinding machines as well as machining centres, and the TT 160 touch probe for tool detection and measurement.