New CNC Touch Probe from Centroid for 2024

We compare the Drewtronics S5000 LED TTS probe with the brand new Centroid KP-1.

[@philip_fletcher]

Very interesting to see your plots. I created a Mostly Printed Probe (on my github) when developing a probe resistive switch - because my Renishaw ebay bargain needed some a bit of a rebuild. The lack of differences in the plots between the MPP and the Renishaw was astonishing, but like you, I suspect the shapes of the plots were caused by the mill drive train - backlash etc. Yes, I'm aware a printed probe is not likely to remain as consistent - it was originally intended as an aluminium design (which I did make) but the testing prints were so surprising that I thought I should release it!

[@adamdebowski2037]

@@philip_fletcher that 3D printed probe is impressive, Wow. Gotta be the best probe per dollar on the planet! I like your pendant, too. What kind of mill are you running?

[@philip_fletcher]

It's great for learning how to probe because it's not 'if' but 'when' you'll crash it! I think I posted some plots to a LinuxCNC forum thread (YT doesn't allow me to link to it). My mill is a 3 axis traditional metal mill but the Manualmatic is now running on a pretty wide variety of CNC machines. The common factor is LinuxCNC but the pendant hardware was always intended to be agnostic - I'd love to see it working with Centroid or Marlin.

[@garrettfravert271]

Good review. I just got my KP-1 installed and calibrated with the ring gage this morning. I'll play around with the digitizing functions in centroid. Having a probe on the mill will make setups very easy, looking forward to it.

[@adamdebowski2037]

Cheers! It’s amazing how much time it saves on setups. You’re going to love it. You can also use it to set tool height offsets more quickly!

[@minskmade]

your still alive :). great to see a new video....

[@adamdebowski2037]

@@minskmade haha - still kickin over here. Hope you’re doing well. How’s things south of the border? You still in the same shop?

[@-BlackBird7]

Hey Adam! I was super stoked to see a vid show up this morning from you! As always great vid. I'm still working on my mill design when I have time... I'm getting closer but to many irons in the fire right now lol. Do you use backlash compensation on the Acorn? Wonder if that would help?

[@adamdebowski2037]

Hey AJ. Glad to hear it’s coming along! It’s a lot work… when I was building mine in 2020, the parts landed on my doorstep like the week before the world shut down. It was the perfect storm. Had nothing but time 😂

[@chathamcnc3944]

I wired up my Drewronics probe to a 3 pin plug with the extra pin serving as a probe detect. As soon as you plug it in, the extra pin grounds and all is safe!

[@adamdebowski2037]

@@chathamcnc3944 My drewtronics came with only 2 leads. Does yours have three? Or did you jumper one of the two? Cheers! 🍻

[@chathamcnc3944]

@adamdebowski2037 nope mine is also a 2 lead. What I did is install a 3 pin bulkhead connector which is mounted to the mill head. 2 pins (probe trigger and ground) goto the probe as usual but the 3rd goes to the probe detect pin on the acorn board. The probe side of the bulkhead connector just has a jumper wire connecting that detect pin to ground. This way, when I plug in the 3 pin connector acorn senses the probe. I never unplug the barrel connector at the probe.

[@TheSuntravel]

After several cheap probes I also have the KP3 and the KP1, both are very good probes with both types of adjustment and they are holding center position perfectly. If you have a lathe you could make a new shaft for the KP1 to fit your toolholding. Very good review. Do you know the CHIPS App from swissi? Easy to generate probe maps with it.

[@adamdebowski2037]

@@TheSuntravel I have seen the chips software and have wanted to give it a try since it came out! I did not know it could generate probe maps. Thanks!

[@TheDaumen]

I would like to see Uwe do a comparison between the KP3 and KP1 and the Sorotec probe. I have the Sorotec probe and would really like to compare it to the KP1

[@TheSuntravel]

@@TheDaumen No Problem If you borrow me the 3D Finder...

[@TheDaumen]

@@TheSuntravel I don't understand? 3D finder???

[@TheSuntravel]

@@TheDaumen That is the name of the probe from sorotec..

[@Dellpodder]

It sounds like your machine reads position based on the stepper encoders? In that case I think the plots are mainly showing the backlash and form error in the ball screws, and maybe some "stickyness" in the ways.

[@adamdebowski2037]

It’s been a long time since I’ve checked the gib tightness…. Plan to dig into. Thanks 👍

[@Dellpodder]

​​@@adamdebowski2037 I'd be careful making too many adjustments based on these results since you are limited by your encoder resolution. You generally want your measuring tool to have a 10X finer resolution than what you are trying to measure. Sorry if this sounds critical. I really enjoy your videos, keep up the good work 👍

[@adamdebowski2037]

@ appreciate all the input. I’ve learned everything I know from people like you! Thanks for the kind words and insight. Cheers!

[@pierregauthier3077]

Im wanting to digitize and duplicate or modify digitized parts. I also like the ideal of using my machine as a CMM. I will need to upgrade my off line controller seeing as mine doesn't have the capability. What controller do you recommend?

[@adamdebowski2037]

I’ve only ever used the centroid acorn controller, and it does support digitizing, but it costs an extra $399 for the digitizing license. There is some digitizing supported through the pro license, but you’re limited to the number of points. I really like my centroid controller and would get it again if I was building another mill.

[@creadorestijuana3411]

Would be nice to see if you extend the resolution with another gear on each axis, maybe 3:1, so the machine is slower but the resolution coming from the drives is just too high, and see what the changes are, it could be even deviation in the ways, etc.

[@adamdebowski2037]

That’s an interesting idea that would definitely pick up some resolution in theory, but introducing a gearbox would also introduce some more backlash, and ultimately the cost of adding gearboxes would be more than upgrading to servo motors, which are capable of 0.0001” (tenths) resolution.

[@brittfuss1]

Great video. Thank you. Do you also use the KP-1 to set the Z height? I currently use a Haimer 3D Taster to set my work coordinates. Not withstanding the automation part, which I like, I can’t see using two devices to obtain all three coordinates. Your thoughts?

[@adamdebowski2037]

Yes - I do use the probe to set X, Y, and Z zeros. I also use the probe to set tool height offsets.

[@brittfuss1]

@ thank you for the reply. Do you have a video explaining how you do it with the tool height offsets? I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around it. Thank you again.

[@adamdebowski2037]

@@brittfuss1 have a look at this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g53Uk5Zqiad6hLcsi=xYvb5ugfpEe-MccY

[@brittfuss1]

@ thank you. I will. Not understanding how it can help me in the Z axis has kept me from buying one.