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Mida RF Touch Probes Benefits Quick and easy installation Individual probe selection No line-of-sight restrictions www.marposs.com

Radio Frequency Touch Probes Enhance Productivity

oshiba Machine Co. Canada Ltd., located in Markham, Ontario, has realized the benefits of touch probe systems coupled with the added bonuses of radio frequency (RF) technology. The RF-equipped Mida touch probes from Marposs Corp. have enhanced the productivity of Toshiba's machining centers, bypassing the problems encountered when using regular touch probes.

 Today, the operation of an optical transmission touch probe typically involves the delivery of infrared signals from the probe to the receiver, which in turn communicates with a computer numeric controlled (CNC) machine. This system is close to foolproof--except when the probe and receiver are out of visual contact, as when the probe is deep within a bore or other depression within a work piece. This line-of-sight restriction isn't an issue with RF probes. RF technology also eliminates the restrictions associated with hard-wired touch probes.

 Installation is also a lot easier, says Daryl Grice, Toshiba's service manager. "We've basically switched over from the optical transmission probes to the RF version," notes Grice. "The Mida RF is robust enough to stand up to the shop floor. We've had no problems at all with those systems."

 The Mida RF system consists of three basic parts: a compact radio transmitter, a receiving antenna (typically one per machine) and a Marposs E86 machine interface unit. The transmitter (available in two different forms) is mounted on the probe and is extremely small so that it won't impede deep bore inspection. It sends probe-measuring data back to the antenna on a real-time basis. The system's antenna is connected to the E86 interface unit by means of a shielded cable. The compact interface unit, with DIN rail mounts, is designed to be installed inside the machine tool's electrical cabinet. The I/O and receiver connections to the unit are made with removable cable clamps, further reducing the wiring and installation time. The E86 processes the data received via the antenna, and then transfers it to the machine tool's CNC.

 "There's the added plus that you can set the radio frequency range for each probe," Grice notes. "That way, you can have several machines equipped with RF probes and there's no radio interference between them."

 With the Mida RF probe, it's possible to select 16 different radio transmission frequencies on four different channels, allowing operation of multiple systems in close proximity. Each probe can be individually selected and activated by means of CNC M-code commands.