Hi Andy, In general, a strain-gauge probe has a strain-gauge amplifier followed by an adjustable comparator output that says when strain (from contact) is "absent" or "present". The probe never really deflects in the usual 6-ball/3-bar way, it is mounted solid (hence their really nice magnetic breakaway attachment to minimize crash damage.)
I don't know the details of how the TP200 strain-gauge probes work, but I would like to, as I have been considering making a strain-gauge probe from scratch to get rid of the 6-ball/3-bar poor-contact problem. What is really needed to fix that is gold-plated (maybe gold over nickel over copper?) balls and bars, but it's hard for DIYers to do that, so I've been thinking strain gauge, since that trades for a new set of problems that are hopefully easier to solve. Anyway, your probe uses Renishaw's PI 200 interface (apparently the PI 200-3 was the latest version they produced). Info (legacy) on the TP 200 and PI 200 here: www.renishaw.com/media/pdf/en/cac977125ed24a8281fdfaea0497d2da.pdf www.renishaw.com/media/pdf/en/6d3e76d96a744ca4b576d8793c29dab8.pdf www.renishaw.com/media/pdf/en/4060f184857d437d930d498c266d6cef.pdf I am also looking for legacy probe info. I would like to know details of the IR optical signal produced by a TP7-TP8-TP9 (& TP10?) touch probe. The receivers are the MI 4, MI 7, MI 12 interfaces (I have the MI 4, but no probe). Or perhaps to borrow a probe to observe the signals it puts out. (I should have started a new thread, but I imagine this IR stuff will go nowhere.) Let's talk more about strain gauge probe design after you get to know your TP200 a little better. Kim -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [Emc-users] Renishaw TP200 probes From: andy pugh <bodge...@gmail.com> Date: Fri, August 11, 2017 12:35 pm To: "Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC)" <emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net> Does anyone know how the Renishaw TP200 probes work? I bought one from eBay by accident. I thought that it was a SP20, which is a conventional 6-ball/3bar probe, but the TP200 is a strain-guage probe. 5V on the connector makes the LED glow. prodding the stylus seat has no effect on the LED or the current flow. It was listed as "not working" so perhaps it is completely broken. Possibly a cracked strain gauge, for example. -- atp "A motorcycle is a bicycle with a pandemonium attachment and is designed for the especial use of mechanical geniuses, daredevils and lunatics." — George Fitch, Atlanta Constitution Newspaper, 1916 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
