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triple edge finder

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 4:36 am
by Al Allison
Has anyone used something like "The Maker's Guide - Triple Edge Finder" as a z touch plate and x-y finding device for the CNC Shark HD4 w/pendant? Or something similar? TIA.

Re: triple edge finder

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 12:34 pm
by OCEdesigns
I have not but I have seen videos of people using it on other machines and software. I can't find any for the Vectric software. You may need to contact them to ask.

Re: triple edge finder

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 12:39 pm
by Al Allison
Thanks OCE

Re: triple edge finder

Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2019 2:21 pm
by Kayvon
That's clever. I like the x-y finder, which is a nice addition to a z/surface locator.

I had been interested in the Shark Touchplate for a while, but $100 was more than I could really justify on it. Shark's stuff won't work well with other products, either. You need to have a legitimate Shark Touchplate for it to work and, even then, this forum is flush with people whose touchplates stopped working when the Shark software forgot the touchplate serial number.

Eventually I made my own system. It's a simple touchplate that connects to a USB device that I made. Very easy to use:
1) Verify that the touchplate is working by tapping it against the bit and making sure the USB device lights up.
2) Hold down the button on the USB device. The bit will slowly descend until it finds the touchplate, then it will retract by 0.001" and freeze.

It's a great system. The computer recognizes the USB device as a keyboard, so the Shark software is happy to go along with it. I can post some pictures if anyone's interested.

Re: triple edge finder

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:32 am
by Al Allison
Hi Kavon,
Could your device be used for the x-y center idea?

Re: triple edge finder

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 10:40 am
by Kayvon
It would need to be modified for that to occur. Right now, it pushes the PgDwn button repeatedly to step down the Z axis (I have my step size set to 0.001"). There's no reason I couldn't add a separate button to the device that toggles which axis is being used.