When it comes to precision machining, accurate work offsets are important. Probing has long been a useful tool for machinists to locate parts and set work coordinates, and Tormach has offered manual probing macros within PathPilot® for years. However, with the release of the 1500MX CNC mill in early 2024, Tormach introduced a wireless probing kit that unlocks new capabilities for in-process probing directly within CAM-generated programs.
Norman Kowalczyk, Tormach Technical Support Specialist, recently provided a detailed look at these CAM-driven probing macros, explaining how they work, why they are valuable, and how they can help machinists save time and improve accuracy.
What Are CAM-Driven Probing Macros?
The CAM-driven probing macros are a new set of macros specifically designed for seamless integration with CAM software. Instead of manually setting work offsets at the start of a job, users can program probing routines directly into their CAM-generated G-code. These routines can run automatically during the machining process to update work offsets as needed, even between tool changes or when machining multiple parts on a fixture plate.
The macros work with Tormach’s wireless probe and allow machinists to probe individual surfaces, bosses, bores, and more. These capabilities go beyond standard manual probing, making them especially useful for multi-part setups or parts with complex geometries where precision alignment is critical.
Practical Applications and Benefits
Norman highlighted a practical example using a fixture plate loaded with 24 individual parts. Setting work offsets for each part manually would be tedious and time-consuming. With the new macros, users can establish a primary work offset at the fixture corner and then automatically probe each individual part to locate its exact position. This ensures accurate placement without requiring manual intervention for every single part.
In another example, Norman demonstrated probing a demo part with a variety of features — flat surfaces, bosses, and bores. The macros allow probing around a circular boss, inside a bore, or even using a three-point probing method for partial features that aren’t fully accessible. This flexibility ensures accurate work offsets, even for irregularly shaped parts or parts partially outside the machine’s travel.
How the Macros Work
The CAM-driven probing macros are designed to be generic, meaning they can work with virtually any CAM software capable of inserting custom G-code. Users simply need to specify which features to probe, such as a top surface for Z, the inside of a bore for X and Y, or around a boss using three or four points.
Before calling a macro, a set of parameters is defined within the G-code to provide key information, such as the probing location, the work offset to update (like G54 or G55), and probing heights. Once the parameters are set, the corresponding macro is called to perform the probing routine and update the work offset automatically.
Real-World Example: Probing After Removing Stock
One common scenario Norman demonstrated involves performing an initial probing routine on a part with extra stock, machining away that stock, and then probing again to update the work offset for the final finishing passes. This ensures that features like chamfers remain perfectly centered, even if the part shifts slightly after material removal.
By automating these probing routines within CAM software, machinists can dramatically improve efficiency, ensure consistent accuracy across multiple parts, and reduce the risk of manual errors when setting work offsets.
Tormach Knowledge base
For complete details, including example code and a full list of supported probing macros, visit Tormach’s Knowledge Base. Tormach’s technical support team is also available to answer questions and help users get started with integrating these powerful new tools into their workflows.
