*REQUIRES MILLING (LEVEL-1) & TURNING (LEVEL-1) AT MINIMUM…

On-machine probing saves you time and money. Probing for workpiece starting positions enables improved automation and reduces human error by automatically establishing datums and setting work fixture offets (WFOs). In process inspection identifies problems early, avoiding scrapped parts and reducing wasted machine time. Finished feature probing gives you confidence in your parts and documented conformance records.

Probing Tool Support

GibbsCAM Probing supports a wide variety of industrystandard probing modules and styluses, including ball, disc, cylinder, and user-defined form stylus tips. To prevent damage to your probes, maximum deflection can be specified, and any transition moves which deflect the probe by more than the maximum amount will be automatically detected as collisions.

Probing Cycle Support

  • Corners: Outside – locate the corner of a square feature in two dimensions (one probe point each, in X and Y)

  • Corners: Outside with Angle – locate the corner of a square feature, and detect its orientation (two probe points each, in X and Y)

  • Corners: Depth – locate the top surface of a part at a particular corner

  • Single Surface – measures a single point in any direction

  • Rectangle Pocket – measures two or four points around a slot or pocket

  • Circular Pocket – measures three or four points equidistant from the center of a hole or concave arc

  • Rectangle Boss – measures two or four points around a web or boss

  • Circular Boss – measures three or four points equidistant from the center of a round boss or convex arc

Basic Probing

Basic Probing allows the user to specify a measurement cycle as G-Code, which will be inserted into the program at selected probing points. Basic Probing automatically handles the positioning and orientation of the probe, including safe traversals between probe points. As the program reaches each probe point, the user-defined measurement cycle will be output verbatim in the posted code. Basic Probing is compatible with all GibbsCAM postprocessors.

Generic Probing

Generic Probing includes a collection of industrystandard probing cycles and common parameters. These cycles are fully parameterized and can be completely simulated. Measurements can be used to setup machine workfixtures or workplanes, or checked against a nominal value. Over- or under-sized results can trigger re-machining, offset changes, or alarms. Generic Probing requires postprocessor customization to ensure that your machine’s cycles are properly supported.

Custom Probing

If more advanced cycles are required, GibbsCAM Probing is highly extensible. Custom probing cycles may be defined as GibbsCAM macros, through third-party plug-ins, or as part of advanced custom postprocessors.