Spindle mounted measuring devices...

[CNC_Chip_Thin]

Open ended question for you all...

We all know about indicators, edge finders, spindle probes and the like.

What about spindle mounted optical comparator's? I'm not looking for something that's gonna give sub-micron readouts. Just something that's easier and more accurate than an eye loupe.

All thought's and suggestions are well considered!

 

[Vancbiker]

Are you thinking about something like a centering microscope?

titantoolsupply.com/productDetail/Titan-Centering-Microscope-Y-Z-Series/2160/80/cat

 

[Mike1974]

Seems like it would either be too small to use, or too big to fit...? We have a Mits digital tenth indicator mounted into an ER collet we use to check depths as alot of stuff we need to blend 2 (or more) tools to within a couple tenths on the floor.

 

[SD&M]

Late to the party as usual....sorry. What about rigging up a USB microscope so that it could be held in the spindle? I've seen some that have a reticle, so that you could use this in much the same way you might measure small features using a toolmaker's microscope. Find an edge, zero your position display, and handwheel over to other features you want to measure.

 

[Mhajicek]

I have a centering scope that I've never used because I can't get my eye to it when it's in the spindle. I got a USB microscope to rig something up with, never got around to it. Great minds think alike.

I think it would be best used with a tablet that you could magnet to the spindle housing while using it.

 

[SD&M]

Hi Matt:

LOL. As I was typing that up I thought to myself “I wonder if Matt has rigged up something like this?” We used to have a lots of small medical-type stuff that had certain features that you couldn’t easily measure on the machine (but you didn’t want to move the job, either), and this seemed like it might be a good way to go. The work changed so I never got around to trying it.

The tablet idea sounds great! This might be a good rainy-day project....

I don’t remember when/where I first saw these USB microscopes-maybe IMTS?

 

[Mhajicek]

Could be a product idea. Buy a USB microscope and tablet that work together, modify a standard toolholder to fit (perhaps with some alignment screws), make a magnetic mount for the tablet, sell it as a package.

 

[CNC_Chip_Thin]

Could be a product idea. Buy a USB microscope and tablet that work together, modify a standard toolholder to fit (perhaps with some alignment screws), make a magnetic mount for the tablet, sell it as a package.

This is basically the product I'm looking to find or make. We have a centering microscope like referenced in post #2 above. It's just a pain in the nuts moving it in and out of the machine manually. There's a giant power supply for the light and a USB/HDMI setup that goes to a computer monitor. I just stand that it's the year 2021 where everything is Bluetooth, wi-fi, cordless and we're moving around a cart with a bunch of crap on it from 1995.

I was thinking of something with Li-Ion replaceable batteries, LED lights, and a Bluetooth device to send the picture to an HD screen of my choice. This way I'd be able to see what I'm doing in 1080p wirelessly like the rest of the world.

Certainly appreciate the input tho, if I have to make one myself I will. Was just hoping to save time buying one instead of making it.

 

[CNC_Chip_Thin]

Also, those big 45 deg microscopes scare me. I'm terrified someone is gonna fat finger a code and turn the spindle on to 18K and send that thing out of the spindle and thru a wall, or me...

 

[Garwood]

Raspberry PI zero with a camera and download a BLE video app for your smartphone.