HEIDENHAIN TNC 370 User Manual page 282

9 3D Touch Probes
4
9.4 Digitizing with a Triggering 3D Touch Probe (Optional)
Line-by-line digitizing with Cycle 6 MEANDER
The MEANDER cycle scans and digitizes a 3D
contour in a back-and-forth series of parallel lines.
This method is best suited for digitizing relatively
flat surfaces. If you want to use the SUSA evalua-
tion software to further process the data, you must
use the MEANDER cycle.
Starting at the MIN point of the working plane, the
touch probe moves in the positive direction of the
selected axis of the working plane. When it reaches
the range limit, it moves by the line spacing in the
positive direction of the other axis and then travels
back along this line. This process is repeated until
the entire range has been scanned.
Once the entire range has been scanned, the
Fig. 9.17: Digitizing with the MEANDER cycle
touch probe returns to the CLEARANCE HEIGHT.
Starting position
l
Coordinates from the RANGE cycle:
X and Y coordinates of the MIN point
Z coordinate = CLEARANCE HEIGHT
l
Automatically move to the starting position:
first in Z to CLEARANCE HEIGHT, then in X and Y
Contour approach
The touch probe moves in the negative Z direction toward the model.
When it makes contact, the TNC stores position coordinates.
Input data
l
LINE DIRECTION
Coordinate axis in whose positive direction the touch probe moves
from the first contour point.
. LIMIT IN NORMAL LINES DIRECTION
Distance by which the touch probe lifts off the model surface after
each deflection of the stylus during scanning.
Input range: 0 to 5 mm
Recommended input value: Enter an input value between half the
PROBE POINT INTERVAL and the PROBE POINT INTERVAL. The
smaller the ball tip radius, the larger the LIMIT IN NORMAL LINES
DIRECTION should be programmed.
l
LINE SPACING
The offset by which the probe moves at the end of each line before
scanning the next line.
Input range: 0 to 5 mm
. MAX. PROBE POINT INTERVAL
Maximum spacing between consecutive digitized positions.
Input range: 0.02 to 5 mm
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TNC 370