To extend the longevity of the probe, it is retracted with a magneto-pneumatic actuator while not in use. If the probe is not properly deploying or retracting, it may be necessary to adjust the position of the probe retractor.
Confirm Probe Functionality
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- Disconnect shop air from the machine
- Via the H-Series web interface, navigate to Dashboard > Machine Movement and select "Home All".
- In the Status section of the dashboard, check the leftmost item under Z-Probes. If this item displays as "0" with a grey background, then the probe is deployed and ready for use.
- While observing this item, gently touch the probe tip with a pen, pencil, or other lightweight object. The the status should change to "1000" with a red background when the probe is touched.
- Remove the object from contact with the probe. The status should return to "0" with a grey background.
- If the Z-Probe status changes as described, the probe is appropriately triggering with contact and returning to a ready state after the contact is removed.
Check Probe Retract and Deploy Functionality
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- Reconnect shop air to the machine.
- In the Status section of the dashboard, confirm that leftmost item under Z-Probes is still displayed as "0" with a grey background.
- At the top of the DWC window, enter the following command and and click "Send"
M402 P0
- If the status of the leftmost item under Z-Probes should changes to 1000 with a red background, the probe was successfully retracted.
- If the status does not change, proceed to the Probe Does Not Retract section below.
- At the top of the DWC window, enter the following command and and click "Send"
M401 P0
- If the status of the leftmost item under Z-Probes returns to 0 with a grey background, the probe was successfully deployed.
- If the status does not change, proceed to the Probe Does Not Deploy section below.
- If the status changes as expected in steps 4 and 6, the probe retract and deploy functionality is working as intended.
Troubleshooting
Probe Does Not Retract
- Confirm that the machine is connected to dry compressed air at a pressure between 5,860 and 8,273 mbar (85 and 120 psi).
- Confirm that the solenoid valve for the probe retract cylinder is open.
- Open the cabinet on the rear of the machine.
- Confirm that the LED associated with the probe retract cylinder is illuminated.
- Adjust the probe retract cylinder farther into the probe retract housing
- Carefully remove the plastic shrouding from the turret to access the rear of the probe assembly.
- Loosen the lock nut on the probe retract cylinder to allow the probe retract cylinder to rotate.
- While watching the status of the leftmost item under Z-Probes, rotate the probe retract cylinder clockwise to move it further into the probe retract housing. When the status changes, the probe has been retracted.
- Re-tighten the lock nut on the probe retract cylinder to secure its position.
- Replace the plastic shrouding around the turret.
- Return to Check Probe Retract and Deploy Functionality above and proceed with Step 5.
- Carefully remove the plastic shrouding from the turret to access the rear of the probe assembly.
Probe Does Not Deploy
- Confirm that the solenoid valve for the probe retract cylinder is closed.
- Open the cabinet on the rear of the machine.
- Confirm that the LED associated with the probe retract cylinder is not illuminated.
- Adjust the probe retract cylinder farther out of the probe retract housing.
- Carefully remove the plastic shrouding from the turret to access the rear of the probe assembly.
- Loosen the lock nut on the probe retract cylinder to allow the probe retract cylinder to rotate.
- While watching the status of the leftmost item under Z-Probes, rotate the probe retract cylinder counterclockwise to move it farther out of the probe retract housing. When the status changes, the probe has been deployed.
- Re-tighten the lock nut on the probe retract cylinder to secure its position.
- Replace the plastic shrouding around the turret.
- Return to Check Probe Retract and Deploy Functionality above and begin again with Step 1.
- Carefully remove the plastic shrouding from the turret to access the rear of the probe assembly.