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Zero and Corner Finder

Martin Barfoed

Project by

Martin Barfoed

General Information

Finding zero and corner/edges of the stock is often the first thing you need to do when CNC Milling. This simple tool can be made using the X-Carve to mill the 6mm (1/4") aluminum plates.

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File Description Unit Price

Zero_Center_plate_60x60x6_w_R10.dxf

.dxf file

$0

Zero_Center_plate_60x60x6_w_R10.skp

Sketchup

$0

Download Zip

$0
from Inventables

1

Mill the two plates

45 minutes

Using a 3mm aluminum bit mill the two plates that make up the finder tool.
V-carve the lines using a 90dg bit.
Feed rate 250mm/min; Plunge rate 100mm/min; Depth Increment 0.5mm.
Use e.g. ethanol as coolant.

With a M4 bit, thread the holes in the square plate
Using 6 M4x8 or 10 screws assemble the tool. Secure good alignment of edges and the big hole.

Using a 2.5mm drill bit make the two holes on the edges where the V-carved lines meet up. Make M3 thread. Mount M3x10 screws

Now the tool is ready for use

2

Use the Tool

5 minutes

Probe using the G38.2 command
Z: G38.2 z-15 f20
(probe 15mm down using speed 20mm/min)
X: G38.2 x15 f20
(probe 15mm right using speed 20mm/min)
Y: G38.2 Y15 f20
(probe 15mm right using speed 20mm/min)

Set position after each probing operation
Z: G92 Z6
(z is 6mm above surface)
X: G92 X-13.5
(x is 13.5mm to the right (12+1.5mm))
Y: G92 Y-13.5
(y is 13.5mm up (12+1.5mm))

Frank Graffagnino
this is fantastic. imagine how useful that is when you are working on something that has rounded corners! This is screaming for a widget in Chilipeppr for fields for the width of the plate and the width of the bit and then have it automatically probe each direction and do all the zeroing.
Frank Graffagnino
Kyle rock
Do I need to use limit switches on my machine to use this zeroing method?
Kyle rock
Yasser Al Khateeb
hi what is the 3d software you used in the second video
Yasser Al Khateeb
Martin Barfoed
If you mean the drawing program - then that's SketchUp (a free Google based CAD program). It's fairly easy to use. However, since then I have started using Fusion 360 (also free for hobbyists) and in that program you can do a lot more. The learning curve is also steeper.
Martin Barfoed
Tom Brennan
Thank you This is one of the first tools i will be making I am totally new to the X-carve your information is very much appreciated
Tom Brennan
Jawad Saadi
nice job, thanks for sharing, can the xcarve mill the aluminum as one thicker piece so it is all one piece with no screws. the aluminum blocks I have does not have uniform thickness, so I need to plane it on the CNC as well.
Jawad Saadi
Martin Barfoed
Hi Jawad, I think making it in one piece is stretching it. The 6mm I did here was boarder line. However, why not try?
Martin Barfoed
Inventables...you guys should sell these! Awesome design
Martin Barfoed
I had a batch made from 3mm Stainless Steel. They are sold via makersupplies.dk Several has been shipped to the US.
Martin Barfoed
Jamal Alabbood
I want the electric wire for the probe , I have arduine with grbl
Jamal Alabbood
Martin Barfoed
You wire the probe between Pin A5 and GND on the Arduino board
Martin Barfoed
George Biskitjoglou
Can you share the svg file ?
George Biskitjoglou
Martin Barfoed
I have added the design as .dxf file. Readable by most drawing programs
Martin Barfoed
George Biskitjoglou
Perfect.Thanks a lot.
George Biskitjoglou
George Biskitjoglou
Can you check if it is ok the file ? Cannot be open or imported... I tried many different drawing programs. Is it possible to be damaged ?
George Biskitjoglou
Martin Barfoed
Just checked it - and it's ok. Open fine in VCarve and I also tried this online viwer: https://gallery.proficad.eu/tools/AutoCAD-Viewer.aspx
Martin Barfoed
George Biskitjoglou
Something is strange... I tried it on the gallery.proficad.ey and got the following error: Unknown result : <script type='text/javascript'>if(window.parent.CurrentUpload)window.parent.CurrentUpload.UploadOK.....
George Biskitjoglou
Martin Barfoed
Have you tried to Right-click / Download destination as / ? As an alternative I have now also uploaded the Sketchup file. Hope it will work for you
Martin Barfoed
Stephen cavanaugh
how does this compare to the triquetra 3 axis plate?
Stephen cavanaugh
Martin Barfoed
It looks like you can find corner and zero with both of them.
Martin Barfoed
Orvin mike renfro
can easl be programed to probe with one of these
Orvin mike renfro
Bradley Schroeder
Do you sell this fixture?
Bradley Schroeder