# Probing {% hint style="warning" %} This functionality requires a 3D Touch Probe {% endhint %} ## Demonstration {% embed url="" %} ## 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 {% embed url="" %} ### 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 variable ``` ## M460.1 - 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, default: same as X) * R: Number of repeat measurements (optional, default: 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 measurements ``` ## M461 - Probe Bore/Rectangular Pocket ### {% embed url="" %} ### 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, default: configured value from zprobe.probe\_tip\_diameter) * E: Depth to probe sides from (optional, default: 2mm) * H: Probe height above bore (optional, default: 0) * C: Clearance height (optional, default: 2mm) * F: Feed rate (optional, default: 300 mm/min) * K: Rapid feed rate (optional, default: 800 mm/min) * L: Number of repeat measurements (optional, default: 1) * R: Retract distance (optional, default: 1.5mm) * S: Save probed position (optional, default: 0) * I: Invert probe for NC probe (optional, default: 0) ### Example ``` M461 X10 Y10 ; Probe 10mm in both X and Y directions M461 X10 Y10 S1 ; Probe and save position as WCS origin ``` ## M462 - 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 moving outside the boss (optional, default: 4mm) * D: Probe tip diameter (optional, default: configured value from zprobe.probe\_tip\_diameter) * E: Depth to probe sides from (optional, default: 2mm) * H: Probe height above boss (optional, default: 0) * C: Clearance height (optional, default: 2mm) * F: Feed rate (optional, default: 300 mm/min) * K: Rapid feed rate (optional, default: 800 mm/min) * L: Number of repeat measurements (optional, default: 1) * R: Retract distance (optional, default: 1.5mm) * S: Save probed position (optional, default: 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, default: 0) ### Example ``` M462 X10 Y10 ; Probe 10mm in both X and Y directions M462 X10 Y10 S1 ; Probe and save position as WCS origin ``` ## M463 - 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, default: configured value from zprobe.probe\_tip\_diameter) * E: Depth to probe sides from (optional, default: 2mm) * H: Probe height above corner (optional, default: 0) * C: Clearance height (optional, default: 2mm) * F: Feed rate (optional, default: 300 mm/min) * K: Rapid feed rate (optional, default: 800 mm/min) * L: Number of repeat measurements (optional, default: 1) * R: Retract distance (optional, default: 1.5mm) * S: Save probed position (optional, default: 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, default: 0) Example ``` M463 X10 Y10 ; Probe 10mm in both X and Y directions M463 X10 Y10 S1 ; Probe and save position as WCS origin ``` ## M464 - 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, default: configured value from zprobe.probe\_tip\_diameter) * E: Depth to probe sides from (optional, default: 2mm) * H: Probe height above corner (optional, default: 0) * C: Clearance height (optional, default: 2mm) * F: Feed rate (optional, default: 300 mm/min) * K: Rapid feed rate (optional, default: 800 mm/min) * L: Number of repeat measurements (optional, default: 1) * R: Retract distance (optional, default: 1.5mm) * S: Save probed position (optional, default: 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, default: 0) ### Examples ``` M464 X10 Y10 ; Probe 10mm in both X and Y directions M464 X10 Y10 S1 ; Probe and save position as WCS origin ``` ## M465 - 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, default: configured value from zprobe.probe\_tip\_diameter) * E: Depth to probe sides from (optional, default: 2mm) * H: Probe height above surface (optional, default: 0) * C: Clearance height (optional, default: 2mm) * F: Feed rate (optional, default: 300 mm/min) * K: Rapid feed rate (optional, default: 800 mm/min) * L: Number of repeat measurements (optional, default: 1) * R: Retract distance (optional, default: 1.5mm) * S: Save probed position as WCS Rotation (optional, default: 0) * I: Invert probe for NC probe (optional, default: 0) * V: Visualize path distance (optional, default: 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 path ``` ## M465.1 - Probe 4th Axis (A-Axis) Stock {% embed url="" %} Example of M465.1 Y20 H30 V1 {% endembed %} ### 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 (optional, default: 300 mm/min) * K: Rapid feed rate for positioning moves (optional, default: 800 mm/min) * L: Number of probe cycles to repeat (optional, default: 1) * R: Retract distance from touched surface (optional, default: 1.5mm) * V: Rotate A axis after probing if V1 is specified (optional, default: 0) * S: Save the offset for the A axis after probing (optional, with or without V1) ### Example ``` M465.1 Y15 H30 V1 S1 ``` This 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 (optional, default: 300 mm/min) * K: Rapid feed rate for positioning moves (optional, default: 800 mm/min) * L: Number of probe cycles to repeat (optional, default: 1) * R: Retract distance from touched surface (optional, default: 1.5mm) * V: Rotate A axis after probing if V1 is specified (optional) * S: Save the offset for the A axis after probing (optional, with or without V1) ### Example ``` M465.2 X10 Y15 R1 F200 K600 ``` This 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, default: configured value from zprobe.probe\_tip\_diameter) * E: Depth to probe sides from (optional, default: 2mm) * H: Probe height above surface (optional, default: 0) * C: Clearance height (optional, default: 2mm) * F: Feed rate (optional, default: 300 mm/min) * K: Rapid feed rate (optional, default: 800 mm/min) * L: Number of repeat measurements (optional, default: 1) * R: Retract distance (optional, default: 1.5mm) * S: Save probed position (optional, default: 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, default: 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 origin ``` ## M466.1 Rectangle Probe ### Description M466.1 performs four [Z Probe Double Tap](#m466-single-axis-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 (required) * F: Feed rate (optional, default: 300 mm/min) * K: Rapid feed rate (optional, default: 800 mm/min) * L: Number of repeat measurements (optional, default: 1) * I: Invert probe for NC probe (optional, default: 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#: 1 ``` --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://carvera-community.gitbook.io/docs/firmware/supported-commands/mcodes/probing.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.