Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] re:Re: Renishaw, digitizers

ballendo@... wrote:

> I'd want a probe that can digitise non-conductive
> objects. How could we "add" this to your design?

Dunno. Didn't worry about that issue. Anything in an engine I needed to
duplicate that wasn't conductive, I could probably just reverse engineer
with calipers. It's the engine cases, cylinder, and head of a Ducati
single that I was concerned with. I doubt my design would be sensitive
enough, that is, offer enough mechanical movement repeatable enough to
use for digitizing. I guess if I had to digitize something plastic and
it wasn't too complex, I'd consider trying something along the lines of
fake gold leaf. But really, if I needed to start digitizing
non-conductives, I'd start searching eBay for a Renishaw probe. I've
seen several go for prices I would consider acceptable.

> Sounds like a homing routine ;-)

Yep. Except that I'd have to write it in Ahha's macro language.
I'd want to be able to select the axis to probe with, and whether it's
approaching the surface from + or -. This would allow probing vertical
walls and even undercuts. All in all, would be a decent little
programming job for a non-programmer.

And, if I could find a Deckel pantograph at a steal price, I'd just
directly cut my scale engine from billet...<G>

Jon