Manual probe heads description and operation

Renishaw manual probe heads provide the mechanical and electrical connections required when using the majority of Renishaw touch-trigger probes on a co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM).

Installed within the quill of the CMM via the shank supplied, a manual probe head permits a CMM touch-trigger probe to be held rigidly in position. It also allows a touch-trigger probe to be connected to a Renishaw probe extension bar and probe knuckle joint for improved probe orientation and component penetration (where indicated).

PH1 manual probe head

The PH1 is a general purpose, swivel-type probe head. Its compact design makes it ideally suited to a CMM where manual orientation of a Renishaw M8 touch-trigger probe is required.

The PH1 provides two axes of movement. The A-axis allows probe orientation in the vertical plane; the B-axis allows rotational probe orientation. Axis rotation is in relation to the shank mount.

The PH1 manual probe head incorporates the following primary components and is supplied with the following tools:

• PH1 probe head [1]
• Probe cable (to probe interface) [2]
• Shank [3]
• 2.5 mm AF Allen key [4] (for tightening the shank socket screws)
• 2 mm AF Allen key [5] (for adjusting the B-axis locking force)
• Probe status LED [6]
• 3 mm AF Allen key [7] (for adjusting the A-axis orientation)

The A-axis may be swivelled through ±115° and locked in position using the 3 mm AF Allen key [7] supplied. For instructions on how to move and lock the A-axis, see 'Moving and locking the A-axis'.

The B-axis is indexable, in 15° steps, through 360°. For instructions on how to move and lock the B-axis, see 'Moving and locking the B-axis'.

Connection of the PH1 to the CMM is via the probe cable [2] and an appropriate probe interface (not supplied).

The status of the probe is indicated by the probe status LED [6]. This is normally lit when the probe is ready for use and extinguishes as the probe triggers.

Installing and connecting the PH1

For instructions on how to install and connect the PH1, see “Installing a manual probe head”.

Moving and locking the A-axis

The A-axis may be swivelled through ±115° and locked in any position, as described below:

1. Insert the 3 mm AF Allen key [2] (supplied) into the Allen cap-head screw [1] located within the B-axis body.
2. Rotate the Allen key [2] in the counter-clockwise direction to release the holding pressure on the A-axis [3].
3. Swivel the A-axis [3] into the required position.
4. Hold the A-axis [3] in this position, and reassert the holding pressure on the A-axis by rotating the Allen key [2] in the clockwise direction.
   

Technical data - PH6

PH6M manual probe head

The PH6M is a fixed probe head that incorporates the Renishaw autojoint [6]. It has the ability to convey complex probe signals via its 15-way micro ‘D' connector, thus permitting the use of the Renishaw TP7 high accuracy touch-trigger probe and OPT6M optical touch-trigger probe.

The PH6M incorporates the following primary components and is supplied with the following tools:

• PH6M probe head [1]
• 2.5 mm AF Allen key [2] (for tightening shank socket screws)
• Shank [3]
• Probe status LED [5]
• Autojoint adaptor [6]
• S10 joint key [7]

Technical data - PH6M

Installing and connecting the PH6M

For instructions on how to install and connect the PH6M, see 'Installing a manual probe head'.

The PH6M is fitted with an integral 15-pin micro ‘D' socket. If required, this socket can be adapted by using a suitable cable to which a 5-pin DIN socket has been fitted.