Tuning A Micro CNC Touch Probe, milled on the PocketNC!

Episode 067: In this video were circling back on the simple touch probe project which, as it turns out, isn't quite that simple... we'll break that down, and see if we can get closer to a finished product...
and while this isn't fun stuff, it's part of the process to get there... stay tuned!
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Music:
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[@deanharris7149]

Appreciate the full inclusion of “it worked on paper” designs. Can’t wait to see it working.

[@cadmec101]

Great project. I just got a "5"-axis mini mill. Just running 3-axis for the moment. This probe is really interesting. You got yourself a new Subscriber.

[@nickrooney893]

I learned more from this 10 minute video than 1 semester of school for being a mechanical engineer. Keep up the great work! Can't wait to see these in action (I want one!)

[@DIYEngineering]

Thanks, that means allot given I am entirely self taught. ;)

[@espressomatic]

First part with connector is classic over-engineering but not designed for manufacturing. The other issue is that this looks like a complex and high-cost solution to a problem that's already easily solved by a commercial unit that costs around $50 retail and much lower wholesale. Now if we were talking about a wireless solution, that would be something to go after as retail prices on those are upwards of $800 and well into the thousands for some.

[@DIYEngineering]

fair enough. ;)

[@stephenlindsey9233]

I love the new changes you made. Sometimes walking away can clear your mind for better understanding. I would really be interested in purchasing one of the short run that you are going make. It would be an honor to work with you design.

[@jessehesch]

Hello. Thanks for the awesome videos. Are you going to do a follow up to this one? I would like to see the end of this project, and the final product.

[@loscienziatopazzo95]

beautiful project! You are very good at making each component and trying to solve problems

[@saschakalweit7843]

Great explanation of a professional development process that engineers have to deal with on a daily basis. Awesome content quality as always ;)

[@DIYEngineering]

Thank you friend

[@Thomas-ij7ki]

This new design seems much better to work. I only see one weak point. I think that you'll need a small gap (

[@insignio1]

this is really cool. I have some of the piezo's lying around as I was inspired to build something similar, but never got to it. You're really pulling it off in a spectacular way. Impressed!

[@DIYEngineering]

it was easy to get to work, but this circuit needs an adjustable resistor as each piezo seems to be slightly different.

[@tcurdt]

Seems like there never was a follow-up video? That's a shame. Even if it failed. I really enjoyed watching the evolution of the design.

[@gal23ocsi1]

I'm also building a piezo touch probe . This is the 2-nd iteration .the first was with flexible piezo , the second variant is with piezo disc , as you use in this video. I've used Pro Micro board for noise , sampling time and threshold calibration menu . If the piezo circuit fails to engage ,as safety feature , i intended to use a 3 ball ,NC switch type contact wired to E-stop . Still wandering on how to do the hardware .

[@garagemonkeysan]

Awesome video. Excellent design and engineering. Mahalo for sharing! 🙂🐒

[@CalMariner]

Super stoked to see this. Really want one for our xstech trainer. Ever finish it?

[@JonathanRansom]

This is so far over my head, but I still enjoyed it! Haha

[@klave8511]

Seems much simpler to put all the electronics outside the probe. No need to leave it in the probe, inline with the cable means you can have it any size you want. Accelerometers have been doing this for decades. The sensor you use has a large capacitance so it can easily drive a few feet of shielded cable but if you’re worried a single fet can be tacked onto the sensor to buffer the piezo output and drive a longer cable. This is the same format used for electret microphones and PIR sensors, add a resistor to Vcc at the far end of the shielded cable and then your comparator for the logic output. Only needs 2 conductors including the shield/common/negative line. A thought on the magnetic connector, USB charge cables for your mobile device are available with a magnetic clamp. Mine only supplies power, not the data lines so it’s only good for 2 conductors but I have seen them with more. They come with pogo pins and a firm clamping action in 90 degree and 0 degree connector. Might be easier to use those otherwise micro USB just for the availability of replacement and test parts. USB cables are shielded too.

[@DIYEngineering]

all good ideas, the changes in this video, including the headphone jack, all worked great. wireless is the way to go in the future.

[@ruben-yrcnc2029]

Hi David, any update on the probe?

[@StevenClimenhaga]

This looks fantastic. I can't wait to see what the end result of this process is, but I can't seem to find your video about the end result of this process.

[@gm9718]

Did you get the probe working?

[@MikeHenry362]

Will you be finishing the Micro CNC touch probe?

[@MasterSpoon]

At 6:30 you mention that you could have made it larger and resolve the majority of the issues. What was the biggest size constraint that was creating all the extra issues to work around? How would you have designed it differently if you would have made it a bit bigger?

[@wixzbo]

Looks amazing

[@multiplysixbynine]

So how did it turn out? I’ve been thinking about building a similar small probe of my own.

[@VTeslaV]

Has there ever been an update to this project? Are the files to be found anywhere?

[@RB-yq7qv]

Would you not be better severed by placing a ball bearing on the center to pf the probe, A ceramic ball of 2 mm would allow minimum movement to flex the crystals

[@DIYEngineering]

that is great feedback, while I have sometimes seen a dead-zone, the bearing would help with that! update to come

[@andre267]

No new Video about that Probe? Is this the End?

[@danielsmullen3223]

I think the audio jack connector is a great compromise. Wireless could work, but I think you'll end up finding that you'd need enough power to make it work the way you want that you'd be better off just having a wire powering it anyway. In that case, given the low voltages involved, why not just use one of those 4-contact audio jack connectors instead? You could have two power contacts, and two signal contacts (potentially enabling differential signalling).

[@danielsmullen3223]

I guess I should add that I am making a few different assumptions about your approach here which might not be valid. It seems like your goal in the current version is to get an analog signal out from the touch probe, whereas with a wireless you'd obviously want to output a digital signal (even if it's just a digitized version of the analog signal). It's possible that you're already too strapped for space to get a microcontroller inside the touch probe itself, but it might be worth considering. I'm not sure which one I would recommend specifically, but I know that there are many that could replace that op amp chip and already have a responsive enough op amp built into the microcontroller itself for you to use it to sense and also do processing and output. The continuous glucose monitor I use has an MSP430-based microcontroller, a watch battery, a bluetooth interface, and an NFC interface... and it's barely bigger than the PCB you've got!

[@DIYEngineering]

The probe is smaller than the audio Jack you’re referring to

[@danielsmullen3223]

@@DIYEngineering that's a tough constraint. How much space do you actually have in there to work with?

[@fdellamorte]

Did the design files for these ever get released? Id love to have crack at making one for my CNC router.

[@DIYEngineering]

Yes, you can always check my website for available design files. Http://www.diy.engineering/shop

[@fdellamorte]

@@DIYEngineering not seeing them there ? Or have I missed something?

[@JonathanSteinert]

@@DIYEngineering Still not seeing any design files for these on the website... are they going to be available?

[@D3rron08]

Are you going to sell the min probe, i would like to purchase one asap please

[@ArcAiN6]

were the designs files ever made available?

[@ArcAiN6]

guess not..

[@joepkeweber5060]

Do you now have a workable probe or have you postponed everything

[@joecnc3341]

Liked-Subscribed-Notified. Loving this design development! Have you received the PCB's and finished the project?

[@shaische]

Is this available for download? Don't see it on your web page.

[@mattivirta]

interesting this probe if working, i buy one if cost less 30$ because can orden shop similar 44$ hobby user not have big budget. i build my son own first cnc machine just now.

[@benalders302]

Did you think about XY adjustment screws to correct any runout errors in the probe stylus? Otherwise you wont have accurate measurments

[@DIYEngineering]

Three grub screws in the nose allow for adjustment of the probe runout.

[@benalders302]

@@DIYEngineering yes i noticed but i think it wil be hard to do so. I know that you can adjust the tilt of the stylus with the setscrews but you cannot shift the axis off center if needed. Not all stylusses are perfect. I have seen some that where all wonky. On the other hand you can compensate with software but i have a fettish for mechanical precision 😅 Regards from a fellow CNC mechanical design nerd.

[@SomeGuyInSandy]

Did you ever finish this?

[@DIYEngineering]

yes, but was limited by the machine. I am now upgrading to a more capable cnc controller.

[@tomahawkcnc5583]

Did this ever come to fruition , haven't seen it on your webpage ?

[@Tristoo]

guess he just quit. watched these 2 videos from him and somehow his attitude and demeanor came off weird to me. Gives a "I'm such an engineer" vibe not usually characteristic of a hobbyist. Can't put my finger on it, it's like he cares more about coming across as an engineer with all the fancy language and monotone demeanor than he does having something that even works at all. "iterated through various designs, just part of the engineering process" instead of "well shit it didn't work, so I tried a few other things which also didn't work, if you guys have any advice leave it bellow cuz this is actually harder to figure out than I thought". Man didn't even prototype this s at all, just straight up ordered a PCB and assumed everything would work. like homie, get some jumper wires and machine stupid simple parts to test things in the first place. you can literally touch it with your finger to see if it works. so idk, dude seemed like a bit of a goof right off the bat and I'm not surprised that he not only didn't finish it but also that he refuses to answer any comments asking about this project. I mean you look at his setup with the oscope and the screens and the microscope and all that, and he can't do this one simple thing? if that's not the definition of poser idk what is. and that's what happens when you care more about looking like something than actually being that something

[@Duraltia]

I'm always a bit amazed what KZbinrs put into their Channels when it comes to Sponsors... You watch someone talking about RC Cars when suddenly Food Home Delivery Sponsor or you're watching about 3D Printed Planes when suddenly RAID Shadow Legends or you're watching a Cooking Guide when suddenly Raycon Headphones and I'm like: _"Uhh... Okay 🤨?!"_ Then there's channels like this one which I'd argue catering mostly towards budget constrained Makers and the likes but then drops a *_FOUR HUNDRED AND FIVE DOLLAR A FRIGGIN' MONTH_* Subscription Service for what I assume to be Industry Standard like Electronics Software onto his Audience. Seriously? Is ANYONE watching this channel pulling the trigger on a *_$405.- MONTHLY_* Price Tag?

[@7LegSpiders]

It looks like this project got shelved for 3 years.

[@abhiwins123]

Hi David, I too design and manufacture touch probes and currently designing similar probes. Straight off, i think your first iteration is better in terms of repeatability of the stylus than the second one. My experience, the repeatability when chasing single micron needs to be tested over 100,000+ actuations(I have failed going by initial accuracies :D) . Currently i am working on piezo resonance-based circuit, than getting signals from shock, but finding it difficult to find circuits to isolate touch vibrations with other environmental vibrations. All the very best.

[@DIYEngineering]

Interesting, these changes are subjective to my probe and they resolved all of the issues i was experiencing. The floating probe didn’t have any issues with mechanical vibration or false triggers. But every design is different and I’m not sure what yours looks like. Thanks for the feedback

[@abhiwins123]

@@DIYEngineering I am eagerly looking forward to the success of the probe and your observations.

[@Fallen0o1]

Are there CAD files available for this project? I checked out the website but didn't see them.

[@DIYEngineering]

They are shared with my patreon backers.

[@Fallen0o1]

@@DIYEngineering Awesome, thanks for letting me know!

[@barebooger]

Did you ever get this probe to work?

[@DIYEngineering]

yes, looking for a small solution?

[@forestbirdoriginals4917]

Hows this project going?!

[@indecent702]

Would you sell some of these I would really like one

[@DIYEngineering]

yes, along with the design files, I intend to manufacture a short run of these to will be available for purchase.

[@oldofftime]

Just engineer the shit out of it man :-)

[@DIYEngineering]

#default :)

[@asigraph]

Can I buy a plan ?

[@desalegnsimon6671]

You could just make a single video after you've done all ur homework but OH NO u have to wait for a pcb at the end of every video OH YES more click bait more money for me