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Upper Management is looking for answers/Justification on probe breakage

Hello ALL GURU's:
Here's a great post for a lot of input on WWGD (What would Gurus Do)?
Lets start by saying there are NOT an excessive amount of probes being broken yearly. I would estimate less that $500.00 - $700.00 yearly max, if that.
However, The uppers want justification.
Now, it has been suggested to slow the rapid in the machine settings, which would cause more cycle time on check parts that are in a Pallet setting.
There is a CRASH attachment from Renishaw. Anyone currently use these?. And do they work. Say on a .7x20mm probe or a 1mmx27mm probe?.
In our shop, we have 4 Cmm's that all have touch probes and 2 have vision as well. What would a normal (realistic) probe consumption be expected
at your place?. Mind you that the specific probes that we have in question are 1.5x30mm. 1mmx27.5 and .7x20mm. Sometimes it may just be human error (can't help that).
Maybe a slight misload, part has been machined or molded not into spec. Other times, maybe doing a manual align and you forget the rapid is on and "Snap". It happens.
I was asked to figure the FORCE in which a probe breaks. Well, honestly what other factors go into that one?. Are you rapiding, your prehit/retract too close and you touch the part and snap?.
Seeing as we are a high volume molding/machine shop with multiple parts at any given time to inspect via DCC. What is the best course of action to go ZERO probe breakage a year?.
This would not include Set ups, Prove Outs as well.
I am just looking for some insight on this issue from a lot of people who know way more than me!. Hence, picking the brains of the Guru's. ANY input would be greatly appreciated and if you want to keep it short and sweet. great. I don't want to consume too much of your time writing.
Thank You All Slight smile

Parents
  • -instruct your programmers to never run a program full speed until it has 100% been vetted
    -once your programs are vetted, save them in a certain folder where only "Approved" Programs go. train people they can ONLY file/open from the approved folder
    -when OPERATORS are using the cmm, you can prevent them from "accidentally" editing the program by running the CMM in PROTECTED MODE or purchasing & using OPERATOR MODE
    -train the operators to ONLY take manual touch points with TURTLE MODE ENGAGED
    -get a probe rack, minimize the amount of handling being done to your probes

    if you are lucky enough to have decent fixturing, you can set up your programs where the operators NEVER have to do manual alignments & everything is handled in CNC mode. the less an operator touches the jogbox the less things will go wrong.

    we have a room with 5 cmms & three full time cmm operators. none of those machines have probe racks. they build probe tips by hand, they hand load as the machine asks for different probes, and EVERY program has a manual alignment prompt... they crash every so often & spend ~$300/month replacing broken probe tips. My 7107 that has ZERO manual alignments & a probe rack & an approved program system hasn't broken a probe in 2 years hitting the budget for literally $0 in replacement stuff
  • sounds like you're on the right track!
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