Probing
This functionality requires a 3D Touch Probe
Demonstration
Probing Command Variables
When probing surfaces, a few variables are always set if the probing feature supports them
#153: the angle probed in degrees (if the angle is probed)
#154: X coordinate (if X axis was probed)
#155: Y coordinate (if Y axis was probed)
#156: Z coordinate (if Z axis was probed)
Probing Image Breakdown
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
Colored green, red, or dark blue lines denote dimension lines
M460 - Probe Calibration
Description
M460 performs probe calibration using different methods depending on the subcode. It can calibrate the probe using a bore (default), boss (subcode 2), or anchor (subcode 3).
This will save the value to variable #150. Use config-set sd zprobe.probe_tip_diameter # to store this value to the machine config.txt to use as the default and persistent beyond resets.
Parameters
X: Known diameter or radius in X direction (required for bore calibration)
Y: Known diameter or radius in Y direction (required for bore calibration)
Subcode 2: Use boss for calibration instead of bore
Subcode 3: Use anchor 2 bracket for calibration
Example
M460 X10 Y10 ; Calibrate probe using bore with 10mm diameter
M460.2 X10 ; Calibrate probe using boss with 10mm diameter
M460.3 ; Calibrate probe using anchor 2 bracket. Uses anchor_width
config variableM460.1 - Calibrate Probe with Bore
Description
M460.1 calibrates the probe tip diameter using a known bore diameter. The probe measures the bore multiple times and calculates the average to determine the probe tip diameter. Check MDI after running this command for console command to run.
Parameters
X: Known bore diameter in X direction (required)
Y: Known bore diameter in Y direction (optional, defaults to X)
R: Number of repeat measurements (optional, defaults to 1)
S: Save position flag (optional)
Example
M460.1 X10 ; Calibrate probe using 10mm bore diameter
M460.1 X10 Y10 R3 ; Calibrate with 3 repeat measurementsM461 - Probe Bore/Rectangular Pocket
Description
M461 probes a bore or rectangular pocket to find its center and measure its diameter. The probe moves in both positive and negative directions along the specified axes to find the edges, then calculates the center point and diameter. The initial probe down move will touch off on any surface it hits and retract slightly before probing sideways. If no surface is hit it will continue without retracting.
Ensure the probe is positioned at roughly the center of the bore before command execution.
When the macro completes the program will have saved the distance along the X axis as #151, the distance along the Y axis as #152, the center point in MCS as #154, #155.
All parameters are optional but you must have 1 of X or Y, if you supply only 1 of them it will only probe in that direction.
Parameters
X: Distance to probe in X direction (required)
Y: Distance to probe in Y direction (required)
D: Probe tip diameter (optional, defaults to configured value)
E: Depth to probe sides from (optional, defaults to 2mm)
H: Probe height above bore (optional, defaults to 0)
C: Clearance height (optional, defaults to 2mm)
F: Feed rate (optional, defaults to 300mm/min)
K: Rapid feed rate (optional, defaults to 800mm/min)
L: Number of repeat measurements (optional, defaults to 1)
R: Retract distance (optional, defaults to 1.5mm)
S: Save probed position (optional, defaults to 0)
I: Invert probe for NC probe (optional, defaults to 0)
Example
M461 X10 Y10 ; Probe 10mm in both X and Y directions
M461 X10 Y10 S1 ; Probe and save position as WCS originM462 - Probe Boss/Rectangular Block
Description
M462 probes a boss or rectangular block to find its center and measure its diameter. Unlike M461 (bore probing), this command probes the outside surfaces of a feature. The probe moves to the outside of the feature, then probes both sides to find the edges and calculate the center point and diameter. Any time the probe is moving downward during this function, if it hits a surface it will retract slightly
Ensure the probe is positioned at roughly the center of the boss/block before command execution.
When the macro completes the program will have saved the distance along the X axis as #151, the distance along the Y axis as #152, the center point in MCS as #154, #155.
Parameters
X: Distance to probe in X direction (required)
Y: Distance to probe in Y direction (required)
J: Probe Clearance. When Probing a boss, this is added to the X and Y values when moving outside the boss (optional, defaults to 4mm)
D: Probe tip diameter (optional, defaults to configured value)
E: Depth to probe sides from (optional, defaults to 2mm)
H: Probe height above boss (optional, defaults to 0)
C: Clearance height (optional, defaults to 2mm)
F: Feed rate (optional, defaults to 300mm/min)
K: Rapid feed rate (optional, defaults to 800mm/min)
L: Number of repeat measurements (optional, defaults to 1)
R: Retract distance (optional, defaults to 1.5mm)
S: Save probed position (optional, defaults to 0). If S1 is set the center of the boss will be the new xy origin. If S2 is set and a probing height (H) was given, the z origin is set to the probed surface
I: Invert probe for NC probe (optional, defaults to 0)
Example
M462 X10 Y10 ; Probe 10mm in both X and Y directions
M462 X10 Y10 S1 ; Probe and save position as WCS originM463 - Probe Inside Corner
Description
M463 probes an inside corner to find its position. The probe moves in both positive X and Y directions to find the corner edges, then calculates the corner position. This is useful for finding the exact position of inside corners in workpieces. Use negative Y/X values to direct which direction to probe.
Ensure the probe is positioned roughly diagonally inward from the corner before command execution.
When the macro completes the program will have saved the center position to #151 (X) and #152 (Y).
Parameters
X: Distance to probe in X direction (required)
Y: Distance to probe in Y direction (required)
D: Probe tip diameter (optional, defaults to configured value)
E: Depth to probe sides from (optional, defaults to 2mm)
H: Probe height above corner (optional, defaults to 0)
C: Clearance height (optional, defaults to 2mm)
F: Feed rate (optional, defaults to 300mm/min)
K: Rapid feed rate (optional, defaults to 800mm/min)
L: Number of repeat measurements (optional, defaults to 1)
R: Retract distance (optional, defaults to 1.5mm)
S: Save probed position (optional, defaults to 0). If S1 is set the corner will be the new xy origin. If S2 is set and a probing height (H) was given, the z origin is set to the probed surface
I: Invert probe for NC probe (optional, defaults to 0)
Example
M463 X10 Y10 ; Probe 10mm in both X and Y directions
M463 X10 Y10 S1 ; Probe and save position as WCS originM464 - Probe Outside Corner
Description
M464 probes an outside corner to find its position. The probe moves to the outside of the corner, then probes in both positive X and Y directions to find the corner edges. This is useful for finding the exact position of outside corners in workpieces.
Ensure the probe is positioned roughly diagonally outward from the corner before command execution.
When the macro completes the program will have saved the center position to #151 (X) and #152 (Y).
Parameters
X: Distance to probe in X direction (required)
Y: Distance to probe in Y direction (required)
D: Probe tip diameter (optional, defaults to configured value)
E: Depth to probe sides from (optional, defaults to 2mm)
H: Probe height above corner (optional, defaults to 0)
C: Clearance height (optional, defaults to 2mm)
F: Feed rate (optional, defaults to 300mm/min)
K: Rapid feed rate (optional, defaults to 800mm/min)
L: Number of repeat measurements (optional, defaults to 1)
R: Retract distance (optional, defaults to 1.5mm)
S: Save probed position (optional, defaults to 0). If S1 is set the corner will be the new xy origin. If S2 is set and a probing height (H) was given, the z origin is set to the probed surface
I: Invert probe for NC probe (optional, defaults to 0)
Examples
M464 X10 Y10 ; Probe 10mm in both X and Y directions
M464 X10 Y10 S1 ; Probe and save position as WCS originM465 - Probe Axis Angle
Description
M465 probes two points to find an angle relative to the X or Y axis. The probe measures two points along a surface and calculates the angle between them. This is useful for measuring angles of surfaces, edges, or features on workpieces.
When the macro completes the program will have saved angle as degrees to #153
Parameters
X: Distance to probe in X direction (optional, only one of X or Y should be specified)
Y: Distance to probe in Y direction (optional, only one of X or Y should be specified)
D: Probe tip diameter (optional, defaults to configured value)
E: Depth to probe sides from (optional, defaults to 2mm)
H: Probe height above surface (optional, defaults to 0)
C: Clearance height (optional, defaults to 2mm)
F: Feed rate (optional, defaults to 300mm/min)
K: Rapid feed rate (optional, defaults to 800mm/min)
L: Number of repeat measurements (optional, defaults to 1)
R: Retract distance (optional, defaults to 1.5mm)
S: Save probed position as WCS Rotation (optional, defaults to 0)
I: Invert probe for NC probe (optional, defaults to 0)
V: Visualize path distance (optional, defaults to 0)
Examples
M465 X10 ; Probe 10mm in X direction to find angle
M465 Y15 ; Probe 15mm in Y direction to find angle
M465 X20 V5 ; Probe with 5mm visualization pathM465.1 - Probe 4th Axis (A-Axis) Stock
Description
Probes the 4th axis (A-axis) stock to determine its angular position relative to the machine coordinate system. This command performs two probe operations at specified distances along the Y-axis to calculate the angle of the stock surface.
When the macro completes the program will have save the result to:
Calculated angle is stored in radians in variable #153
Parameters
Y: Total probing distance. The machine will move to + Y/2 and -Y/2 from the current position (required)
H: Probe height - distance to probe down from current position (required)
F: Feed rate for probing operations (default: 300 mm/min)
K: Rapid feed rate for positioning moves (default: 800 mm/min)
L: Number of probe cycles to repeat (default: 1)
R: Retract distance from touched surface (default: 1.5mm)
V: Rotate A axis after probing if V1 is specified
S: Save the offset for the A axis after probing (with or without V1)
Example
M465.1 Y15 H30 V1 S1This command will:
Probe the A-axis stock at Y1 = +7.5mm and Y2 = -7.5mm
Use a probe depth of 30mm below the surface
Rotate the stock after probing
Save the A axis offset
M465.2 - Probe 4th Axis (A-Axis) Stock with Machine Offset
Description
Probes the 4th axis (A-axis) stock using the 4th axis offsets. This command automatically positions the probe using the given 4th axis offsets and then performs the same angular measurement as M465.1.
When the macro completes the program will have save the result to:
Calculated angle is stored in radians in variable #153
Parameters
X: Distance offset from 4th axis origin (required)
Y: Total probing distance. The machine will move to + Y/2 and -Y/2 from the specified position (required)
H: Probe height - distance to probe down from current position (required)
F: Feed rate for probing operations (default: 300 mm/min)
K: Rapid feed rate for positioning moves (default: 800 mm/min)
L: Number of probe cycles to repeat (default: 1)
R: Retract distance from touched surface (default: 1.5mm)
V: Rotate A axis after probing if V1 is specified
S: Save the offset for the A axis after probing (with or without V1)
Example
M465.2 X10 Y15 R1 F200 K600This command will:
Use 4th axis offset coordinates
Automatically move to clearance height
Probe the A-axis stock using the calculated position
Use 200 mm/min feed rate for probing
Use 600 mm/min rapid rate for positioning
M466 - Single Axis Probe Double Tap
Description
M466 performs a single axis probe with double tap functionality. It probes along one or more axes (X, Y, or Z) and can repeat the measurement multiple times for accuracy. The probe moves in the specified direction until it contacts the surface, then calculates the final position.
When the macro completes the program will have save the result to:
#154: X coordinate (if X axis was probed)
#155: Y coordinate (if Y axis was probed)
#156: Z coordinate (if Z axis was probed)
Parameters
X: Distance to probe in X direction (optional)
Y: Distance to probe in Y direction (optional)
Z: Distance to probe in Z direction (optional)
D: Probe tip diameter (optional, defaults to configured value)
E: Depth to probe sides from (optional, defaults to 2mm)
H: Probe height above surface (optional, defaults to 0)
C: Clearance height (optional, defaults to 2mm)
F: Feed rate (optional, defaults to 300mm/min)
K: Rapid feed rate (optional, defaults to 800mm/min)
L: Number of repeat measurements (optional, defaults to 1)
R: Retract distance (optional, defaults to 1.5mm)
S: Save probed position (optional, defaults to 0). If S1 is set the single probed x or y axis will be set as the WCS origin. If S2 is set the z origin is set to the probed surface
I: Invert probe for NC probe (optional, defaults to 0)
Example
M466 X10 ; Probe 10mm in X direction
M466 Y15 ; Probe 15mm in Y direction
M466 Z5 ; Probe 5mm in Z direction
M466 X10 Y10 ; Probe 10mm in both X and Y directions
M466 X10 Y10 Z5 S1 ; Probe and save position as WCS originM466.1 Rectangle Probe
Description
M466.1 performs four Z Probe Double Tap probing operations, each located at the corners of a rectangle, specified by the current position and the X and Y distances. After the probing is finished, the probing tool will return to its starting position and the machine prints the results both in machine coordinates and in work coordinates, specifying the highest and lowest Z value and the corresponding corner at which those values were found.
Parameters
X: Distance to probe in X direction (required)
Y: Distance to probe in Y direction (required)
H: Probe height above surface (reqquired)
F: Feed rate (optional, defaults to 300mm/min)
K: Rapid feed rate (optional, defaults to 800mm/min)
L: Number of repeat measurements (optional, defaults to 1)
I: Invert probe for NC probe (optional, defaults to 0)
Example
M466.1 X94 Y146 H5 ; Probe a 94x146 rectangle starting at the current position Output
Probing Square
--- Machine Coordinates ---
Point 1: X: -193.653, Y: -174.410, Z: -57.450
Point 2: X: -97.653, Y: -174.410, Z: -57.488
Point 3: X: -97.653, Y: -28.410, Z: -57.495
Point 4: X: -193.653, Y: -28.410, Z: -57.475
Min Z: -57.495, Max Z: -57.450
--- Work Coordinates ---
Point 1: X: 1.999, Y: 2.000, WPos Z: 0.000
Point 2: X: 97.999, Y: 2.000, WPos Z: -0.039
Point 3: X: 97.999, Y: 148.000, WPos Z: -0.045
Point 4: X: 1.999, Y: 148.000, WPos Z: -0.025
Min Z: -0.045, Max Z: 0.000
Min Z Point#: 3, Max Z Point#: 1Last updated