Using an Edge Finder - Tormach CNC

[tomclemans]

Excellent video - good explanation and demonstration. Thanks - I will show this to my students today.

However, I learned the hard way (by destroying the edgefinder and damaging the part) to turn off the spindle before raising the Z axis when the edgefinder is touching the part.

[TheHireTheBetter]

Thank you SO much for posting this. I've watched several "how to use an edge finder" videos on YT and all of them have the same problem: they either use terrible cameras, or they don't zoom in enough - you can't see anything! Again, thanks for posting a video where you can actually see the edge finder in action.

[Quinsanta]

Thank you very much for posting this. As a hobby machinist, I don't have access to machinists to ask these type of simple questions.

Best Regards,

Jon

[whereisdave]

@Quinsanta try cnczone forum its brlliant

[crazybritishlad]

i can run our one at 1600 rpm all day long

[MarekUmbug]

You will use probe .

[fortmcmurraycash]

spring loaded edgefinder is only good for about a half anyways. they will differ...they get fucked up quick too. im a manual guy tho no CNC, my best is with a rollin paper...zig zag whites are my edgefinder LOL. i run mine usually about 1200 rpm...never any higher.

my "Z" axis is my left hand and "X" is my right hand ;-D

[riltjd]

@fortmcmurraycash so how would you make a circle? just pure skill? hehe...

[VirtRampage]

its usualy 0.005mm accuracy

[FactoryDragon87]

@VirtRampage With this tool You may forget 0,005mm accuracy, but 0,0005inch= 0,012mm maybe it is posible. Exist too many reasons why You never get 0,005mm accuracy useing touch methods. Better is use dial gauge tool! Also useing dial gauge tool You may find out that- workpiece is perfect paralel to work axel- X, Y or Z.

[fadedrr]

I thought you were not supposed to run the spindle when using an electronic edge finder. Is this true?

[kyle1058]

I've always ran mine at 1200-1300. I've never tried running it at 2,000 rpm.. I've heard some horror stories of people accidentally punching an extra 0 or two in on high speed spindle mills and losing their edge finder hahaha.

[13yo1]

cool

[VirtRampage]

i think thats too fast it should turn at about 500rpm

[Joe72Bug]

Nope, the faster the better. I usually go at least 2000. Slower speeds and it doesn't make as sharp a transition.

[leevancleefer]

When it kicks, back it off a thousandth at a time until it stops kicking. Then split the diameter and offset

[imacrazydude9999999]

so is zero when you see the kick or just before it kicks?? someone answer me

[ohioastromech]

Zero is right when it kicks.

On the edge finder shown you will then have to move the table .100 to be right on the edge of the part.

If you have a .5" edge finder you will need to move the table .250 to be on the edge.

[SDEarp]

@imacrazydude9999999

It is zero when the edgefinder kicks out.

I have never run it up over 1000 rpms.

It has a spring that holds the end on which allows the end to kick out if you run the rpms up too much I have seen the ends fly off and almost hit someone else in the shop.

I usually run mine at 800 rpms.

[TheLightningStalker]

You say the accuracy of the electronic edge finder is 0•0002", but what about the accuracy of the mechanical edge finder? Maybe you said it, but I didn't pick it up.

[trickyhattrick]

@TheLightningStalker I think he said 5 ten thou

[torchddv]

@TheLightningStalker He said the transition is .0005", so that's about as close as you can get. The accuracy is really up to the skill of the operator though.

[ManufacturingET]

Thanks!

[01z06vette]

What is the proper RPM fora mech.edge finder?

[alderaforall]

I usually run around 1,000 rpm's or less. no less than 500

[Luvanicebum]

Note: It is better to stop the spindle after you find your edge BEFORE raising Z axis above the workpiece. Not as much of an issue on flat stock, but doing this on the edge of a round part can grab the edge and destroy your edgefinder.

[Luvanicebum]

other than that, I find they work great

[AmericanFabricator]

The trouble with lighted edgefinders is coolant will give you a false reading. The edgefinder and work piece must be free of extraneous coolant.