Question 3D touch probe help

Hi, I have a Stepcraft M.1000 and we purchased the 3D touch probe as part of the package. We've spent a lot of time troubleshooting it but haven't been able to to make it work accurately. It has two terminals for the probe so I assume is a simple switch electrically.

The stylus has slag where the ball was welded on and the ball is visibly offset - non-axial with the stylus. We've tried many tests and followed the calibration procedure with no success. Stepcraft support hasn't had any useful suggestions either.

So we purchased an aftermarket probe from Amazon and would like to use that instead. However it has three wires (power, ground, and signal) whereas the Stepcraft probe only has two.

Has anyone used a three wire probe with a Stepcraft? And can you share the technique you used to connect it?

Thanks!

Hi Steinke,

Thanks for the suggestion, but we contacted Stepcraft support months ago and have not gotten any useful help. We finally asked them (about 1 month ago) to either refund our money or send a replacement, but have not even gotten a reply. Incidentally, our ATC magazine (fully populated) was missing an o-ring and we have yet to receive the promised replacement. I would settle for the size of o-ring so I could just order it myself, but that's a different issue...

Thanls,
Steve

What I would really like to know is if anyone is using a 3 wire, aftermarket probe with a Stepcraft CNC? The aftermarket probe we bought is nicer than the Stepcraft one. It has an LED that changes color based on its state and it's smaller - with an automatic tool changer, the probe doesn't allow for a very thick work piece, even with the bed moved to the lower rails. We've tried a couple of relays to get the 5VDC signal from the probe to trigger the Stepcraft switch input with no luck so far.

Hi Steve,
I have been looking for the same solution. You might try topcom.cz, they make a converter for 3 wire to 2 wire probes, and also a 2 wire (simple NC switch) probe that seems to get good reviews.
I like the Stepcraft probe, mine has been very accurate and reliable, but need a very long stylus, so I am looking at the topcom as a second alternative for when I need specialist probes.
Hope this helps, Jonathan