Question Winpcnc usb and Stepcraft: Edge Probe

I have seen that winpcnc usb offers a menu option to use an Edge Probe.

Anybody knows if it is possible to configure it in Stepcraft?

Angel

I personaly have no idea.
But I suggest you ask your question directly to the Stepcraft manufacture using the the contact form/tab.
they helpt me very quick with the answers I need.

Thanks,
I already send the question to Stepcraft. The answer is that no solution exist yet or a workaround is available. I have bought an 8mm shaft edge finder and will try to use it manually.It should arrive this week. Will post the experience.

I believe that UCCNC has the means to use a touch probe, though it means that you will need to acquire or write appropriate macro's to make it all work. It's one of the things on my "to do" list once I've got my head around writing macro's.

Using UCCNC means more expense, but I can thoroughly recommend that route with a UC100 USB to parallel "dongle".

Peter

Peter,

recently I found a "probe" macro "probing" the metalic surface of a workpiece.
Here's my post: www.stepcraft-systems.com/forum/software2/3370-uccnc-autoleveler-plugin

I implemented the plugin to my UCCNC and it's basically running but i did not use it. Hope i will find time on the weekend.

Another similar feature is implemented in Estlcam if you will use it with Arduino instead of the UC100/UCCNC:

Edge finding and surface scanning: www.estlcam.com/index.php

Hartmut,

That's most interesting - I'm grappling with the problem of precise board location when engraving double sided pcb's. My current thinking is a fixed straight edge and a single locating peg anchored in the sacrificial layer, this being drilled and fitted when the bottom layer is being engraved. This would be at X,Y = 0 for both top and bottom engraving.

I've convinced myself I can jog to better than 100 microns in lining up an engraving bit with the edge of a pin using a jewelers loupe !!! If it all comes together I want to try mounting some SMD components along with regular though hole devices. I find that many of the best newer devices are only available as SMD, which is very frustrating if they can't be mounted easily.

Regards.

Peter

Hi Peter,

I'm glad that last weekend I managed milling / engraving my second acceptable single layer PCB using the ESTLCAM autoleveling feature. The fourth PCB was good enough and so finally I've now the parameters I will use in future but that was a long way

A double-sided PCB will be the next step but SMD ...

Hi Hartmut,

I made a small vacuum table and milled the sacrificial layer flat using a 1/4" end mill. It measures up to be flat within 0.001" over the whole area. FR4 is held and sealed using masking tape, and a good vacuum from a vane type pump makes sure the whole PCB area is held firmly and flat.

Using a 60deg engraving bit, the track and isolation can be reliably reduced to 0.01" (250 microns) This gives me hope that some of the larger SMD chips would be usable.

Here's a picture of one of my earlier efforts - later ones have narrower 250 micron tracks and isolation. I've realised after my last post that two pins through the board would be better than one - no need then to reset the X,Y = 0 hence less chance of layer misalignment.

Regards,

Peter.

Looking perfect!

I'm using a 30° engraving bit and Z = -0.06mm. With this nearly only the copper surface will be removed. Unfortunately any of my PCB material is a little bit bend and not flat...maybe too cheap material. But the autoleveling of Estlcam is working great, so no problem with that.

My next project is in work but I need also some practice in PCB design...I'm using Target3001, not Eagle as most people do.

Cheers

Hartmut