A useful addition

[stevem]

I just installed a limit switch for Z+, to designate the tool change position. This has made raising the Z axis a simple one click proposition, instead of using the jog button until the axis slams into the upper stop.

It’s one of those additions, like a Z Zero plate, that becomes indispensable once used a few times.

[paco]

Hi Steve!

I've done this a few weeks ago now. My main and first purpose was to avoid crashing in the upper z like you but I'm finding various other new ideas for uses about it like always jogging at max height if need and it's now part of my ALL AXIS zeroing routine so the software (SB3) now know where is the Z limit... I'm looking to make it part of a automatic Z zeroing routine on a fixed Z plate...

[ron brown]

Paco,

I've thought having a cheap laser and an opto-interrupter on the "Z" where bit changes would be spot-on. The laser would "Shoot across the Y axis" and interrupt/couple when the bit crossed the beam.

I think it would have a lot of uses.

Ron

[paco]

Ron,

sound interesting... but what about bit tip geometry?... quite various model... imagine a 1/4" radius point roundover bit...

[gerald_d]

Why not have a "touch-point switch" permanently installed in the table surface......

[paco]

Well, as for me, I'd prefer to keep with the basic Z plate system... one movable and the other fixed for some "special purposes". Simple and low budget...

The "touch-point switch" would a have the same "limitations" as the laser beam I believe regarding bit geometry... unless it have a "wide point"...

[ron brown]

If every thing was lined up "perfect" I don't think bit geometry would be an issue.

The idea was to eliminate the need for a touch plate. Although touch-plates, especially on jigs, are very useful.

Ron