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Warning
This documentation is in active development and in a prerelease state. These documents are not complete and may include missing pages, broken links, and placeholders. Content is being updated as feedback is reviewed. Your patience is appreciated.
XYZ Probe Block
This guide covers using a probe block with the probe wizard to set the workpiece origin. Using a probe to do this isn't strictly necessary for basic CNC work – you can find and set your origin manually – but use of a probe will help you get more consistent and accurate results.
To follow this guide, you'll need:
- A probe block compatible with your CNC machine.
- Calipers to measure the probe block (only for initial configuration).
How a Probe Block Works¶
Probe blocks can vary a bit, but generally speaking, a probe block will be a metal block with a square pocket on the bottom allowing the block to sit securely on the corner of your workpiece, with a wire to connect to the CNC router's controller and another to connect to the tool. When the tool contacts the probe, the circuit is closed and a signal is sent to the controller.
Using the Probing Wizard, you will define your Probe Block and motion parameters. MillMage will move the tool toward the probe block until it touches, back off, and move more slowly to touch it again. The process is repeated for the other two axes, and then MillMage will automate the probing process using the parameters you set.
If you've already set up the Probe Block, you can skip ahead to Probing and Setting the Origin.
Defining a Probe Block¶
To define your Probe Block go to CNC Tools → Probe Settings and select the XYZ Probe Block to open the Probe Block configuration. You can also open this window by clicking the Manage Probe Configuration button in the Probing Wizard.
Settings¶
Offset X, Offset Y, and Offset Z¶
Use calipers to measure the distance from the probe's touch faces to the faces being measured and enter the values into these 3 boxes.
Search X, Search Y, and Search Z¶
When using a probe block, you'll start with the tool over the block itself.
- Search Z is the distance the tool will move down seeking the probe block.
- Search X and Search Y are the distances the tool will move left (X) or forward (Y) away from the block before lowering the tool and moving the same distance back toward the probe until it makes contact.
Probe Depth¶
The probe depth is the distance below the probe's surface to probe on the X and Y axes.
Fast Probe Feed and Precise Probe Feed¶
- Fast Probe Feed is the initial speed at which the tool will search for the probe block when searching for it. This can be fairly fast, depending on your risk tolerance.
- Precise Probe Feed is the lower speed at which the tool will search for the probe block after initial contact. This movement will be a very short distance and shoudl be kept to a fairly low speed for accuracy.
Probing and Setting the Origin¶
Set Up the Probe Block¶
Place the Probe Block on the front left corner of the workpiece, making sure it's pushed up against the front and side faces of the material.
Make sure the Probe Block is connected according to manufacturer directions — typically plugged into the CNC router's control board with a second wire attaching to the tool with a magnet or a clip. Commercially made Probe Blocks may have an LED that lights up or changes color to indicate contact.
Open the Probing Wizard¶
Open the Probing Wizard by selecting CNC Tools → Probing Wizard, or by clicking the Probing button in the Move window.
Select the XYZ Probe Block.
Select Axes¶
Select the axes you want to probe using your Probe Block.
If you select multiple axes, you can still probe individually. However, if you leave some axes turned off, you won't be able to probe them without coming back to this screen.
Position Tool Over Probe Block¶
The next page of the Probing Wizard brings up a copy of the controls found in the Move window. Use these controls to position your tool over the Probe Block, if it isn't already.
The diagram above shows how the tool will move to probe each axis. The tool should be:
- Over the surface of the probe, and within the Z Search range of the surface.
- Positioned so that when searching in X and Y, it will move far enough to be outside of the probe and come back. Make sure this travel path is clear of any obstructions.
Tip
If needed, the search distances can be adjusted on the next screen.
Run the Probing Commands¶
Some of the buttons aren't available!
If you're probing the Z axis as well as the X and/or Y axes, you may notice that the Execute on X and Execute on Y are initially greyed out and disabled. After probing the Z axis, these buttons will be available.
You're almost ready to use the probe, but first:
- Set the Tool Diameter to the diameter of the tool you're probing with. This allows LightBurn to adjust the offset to account for the size of the tool.
- Look over the other values — Search X/Y/Z, XY Probe Depth, Fast Probe Speed, andPrecise Probe Speed — to be sure they're what you're expecting.
- Make sure your Probe Block is connected correctly.
Now that that's done, it's time to actually start probing.
To probe all three axes (Z first, followed by X and Y), click on Execute on All. To probe an individual axis, click on the appropriate button. LightBurn will execute the probing routine and set the workpiece origin.
Probe Block or Tool Length Probing¶
Related Topics¶
For more help using MillMage, please visit our forum to talk with MillMage staff and users, or email support.