Part Probing on Machining Center

One of the main issues in the production area using milling machines and machining centers is caused by scrap parts due to wrong machining. One of the way’s to avoid scrap is to know how the workpieces are mounted on the work table (the real position with respect to machine axes) and also to measure / inspect the workpieces after the machining process. To perform this kind of check, it is necessary for the machine to be equipped with part probing systems: touch probes and bore gauges.

Part probing identifies measurement operations that are carried out entirely inside the milling machine or machining center, in the very same conditions in which the cutting takes place. In this way, the operator gets the same data provided by CMMs, but in a faster and more meaningful way. In fact, it is true that CMMs provide very precise measures, but the information is not relied to how the part is positioned inside the machine; furthermore, the different environmental conditions could also affect the result of machining too.