MASSO provides eight Side of Part probing cycles.

Four cycles are used for inside probing, and four cycles are used for outside probing

The probing cycle you choose depends on whether you are probing the inside or outside of the part and which axis (X or Y) you need to probe.

There are 8 Side probing cycles. 4 are inside probing cycles and 4 are Outside probing cycles.

Selecting Inside or Outside Probing

First, select Inside or Outside probing by pressing the Inside/Outside button on the Probing screen.

After making this selection, press the Save Settings button to apply the change.

Offset Compensation

The X and Y Offset values can be used to compensate for alignment errors or to offset the probe position if the probe is not located directly under the spindle. 

Stopping a Probing Cycle

The probing cycle can be stopped at any time by pressing the same probing cycle button again or by selecting a different probing cycle.

Work Offset Selection

From software version 5.0 and later, the probing result can be applied to a selected work offset.

The required work offset must be selected before starting the probing cycle.

Only the selected work offset will be updated by the probing result.

Inside – Side of Part Probing

For inside probing, the red dot represents the probe position at the start of the probing cycle.

The probe moves toward the yellow line, which represents the surface being probed.

The probing motion occurs at the feed rate specified in the Probing Feedrate field.

After the probe contacts the surface, the axis returns to the starting position at rapid speed.

The Probe Diameter value must be entered into the Probe Diameter field.

Inside Probing +Y Direction

The probe moves in the +Y direction at the specified probing feed rate until it contacts the part.

The DRO is updated with the value entered in the Y Position field.

The probe then returns to the starting position and displays its new coordinate relative to the probed surface.

Inside Probing -Y Direction

The probe moves in the -Y direction at the specified probing feed rate until it contacts the part.

The DRO is updated with the value entered in the Y Position field.

The probe then returns to the starting position and displays its new coordinate relative to the probed surface.

Inside Probing -X Direction

The probe moves in the -X direction at the specified probing feed rate until it contacts the part.

The DRO is updated with the value entered in the X Position field.

The probe then returns to the starting position and displays its new coordinate relative to the probed surface.

Inside Probing +X Direction

The probe moves in the +X direction at the specified probing feed rate until it contacts the part.

The DRO is updated with the value entered in the X Position field.

The probe then returns to the starting position and displays its new coordinate relative to the probed surface.

Outside – Side of Part Probing

For outside probing, the red dot represents the probe position at the start of the probing cycle.

The probe moves toward the yellow line, which represents the external surface being probed.

The probing motion occurs at the feed rate specified in the Probing Feedrate field.

After the probe contacts the surface, the axis returns to the starting position at rapid speed.

The Probe Diameter value must be entered into the Probe Diameter field.

Outside Probing -Y Direction

The probe moves in the -Y direction at the specified probing feed rate until it contacts the part.

The DRO is updated with the value entered in the Y Position field.

The probe then returns to the starting position and displays its new coordinate relative to the probed surface.

Outside Probing +Y Direction

The probe moves in the +Y direction at the specified probing feed rate until it contacts the part.

The DRO is updated with the value entered in the Y Position field.

The probe then returns to the starting position and displays its new coordinate relative to the probed surface.

Outside Probing +X Direction

The probe moves in the +X direction at the specified probing feed rate until it contacts the part.

The DRO is updated with the value entered in the X Position field.

The probe then returns to the starting position and displays its new coordinate relative to the probed surface.

Outside Probing -X Direction

The probe moves in the -X direction at the specified probing feed rate until it contacts the part.

The DRO is updated with the value entered in the X Position field.

The probe then returns to the starting position and displays its new coordinate relative to the probed surface.

CAUTION: It is advisable to quickly test your touch probe before starting a probing cycle to ensure it is working properly. This is done by triggering the Probe and observing the indication at the top of the screen. When triggered the indication will change green This is done by touching the probe tip in case of a 3D touch probe or by tapping the plate against the tool in case of a probing plate.