Touch Trigger Probe Interface With Time-Stamped Digital Packets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch trigger probe systems introduce measurement errors due to the assumption of constant machine velocity during probing, leading to inaccuracies in positional correction calculations, despite being designed for sub-micron precision.
Innovation Solution
A touch trigger probe interface that outputs probe event information as digital data packets, including timestamps, over a digital data bus, allowing for precise timing and position data communication to the machine tool controller, eliminating the need for constant time delays and accounting for velocity variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the probe interface uses a wireless communication protocol to transmit trigger information from the touch trigger probe to the probe interface, then the system can achieve contactless data transmission, but a time delay is introduced that requires constant velocity assumption for positional correction
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration to establish a fixed time delay value before actual measurement. This pre-determined time delay is then used to correct positional measurements, allowing the system to account for the wireless communication delay without requiring constant velocity assumptions during operation.
2Device complexity
If the system assumes constant machine velocity during probing to calculate positional correction, then the calculation is simplified, but measurement errors occur when velocity varies
Solution Approach 1:
The probe interface is designed to work with multiple machine control systems (FANUC, SIEMENS, HAAS, MITSUBISHI) through a universal digital data bus interface. This multi-functional design allows the system to operate across different platforms without requiring velocity-based corrections, as the digital interface provides direct position data from the machine controller.
3Measurement precision
If the probe interface outputs probe event information as digital data packets with timestamps over a digital data bus, then measurement accuracy is enhanced by accurately reflecting the instant of probe events, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical or analog signaling methods with a digital data bus interface. This substitution enables precise timestamping of probe events and direct digital communication with the machine controller, significantly improving measurement accuracy while the standardized digital protocol keeps the added complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch trigger probe interface for a machine tool is described that includes a probe communication portion for receiving probe event information from a touch trigger probe. A machine tool communication portion is also provided for outputting probe event information to a numerical controller of the machine tool. The machine tool communication portion outputs the probe event information as digital data packets, for example over a digital data bus. The digital data packets may include a time stamp and/or the touch trigger probe interface may receive timing information from the machine tool. A touch trigger probing system and a machine tool system including the probe interface are also described.