Probe¶

In one sentence: Generate a touch-off probing routine that measures workpiece position and updates the work coordinate system.

Overview¶

Workbench: CAM
Menu: CAM → Probe
Command: CAM_Probe
Shortcut: none

Generates a probing cycle that uses a touch probe to measure the workpiece position and update the Work Coordinate System (WCS). The resulting G-code uses G38.2 (or similar) probing cycles supported by the machine controller.

Intuition¶

When you load a workpiece onto the machine, its exact position is never perfectly known. A probing routine moves the probe to known reference surfaces, measures the actual position, and stores the offset — so subsequent operations run in the correct coordinate system even if the part was not placed exactly.

Requirements¶

A probe tool bit (see Tool Bit Library) must be selected.
The machine controller must support probing cycles (G38.2 or equivalent).
The post-processor must output the correct probing syntax for your controller.

When to use it¶

Automatically locating a workpiece datum before running a programme.
Checking workpiece dimensions in-cycle (in-process gauging).
Compensating for fixture position variation between setups.

Common mistakes and pitfalls¶

Machine controller does not support probing

Not all CNC controllers support G38.2 probing cycles. Check your controller documentation before adding a Probe operation.

Wrong probe tool selected

If the Tool Controller does not reference a probe tool bit, the generated G-code will reference the wrong tool number. Create a dedicated probe tool and tool controller.