XXT head parts falling out

[[He...]]

Does anyone know what this part goes to we were doing a probe change and heard a noise and then noticed this piece sticking out of the head it still seems to run ok. first picture is close up the part not that big .084 thick and .733 long

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[[To...]]

I’m pretty sure your XXT is toast.

[[Ma...]]

Definitely came from a hard collision.. It doesn't mean it is completely gone because of it. HIGHLY recommend getting a Zeiss tech to remote into your machine and see if they can check to see what happened and if you need a new sensor.

[[Sc...]]

All,

We just had the same thing happen this morning but our small "collar" piece dropped completely out during a probe swap. Currently have a service request into Zeiss.

Anyone have solutions or comments on what happened or how Zeiss has fixed this??

Scott

[[Ke...]]

XXT is a great probe system... but the biggest problem with these heads is that they pop off so easy (I know... they pop off, so an even more expensive component doesn't get damaged) . In my experience, it was usually when the head swiveled too close to a part. The swivel doesn't stop, at a collision... it keeps going, and the head drops to the granite. I recommend getting something nice and cushy to put down, when proving out programs... and keeping a spare on-hand.

It "seems to be ok" until another chunk gets in the way, inside the head; then you have bad data...

[[Je...]]

We had a head do this a year or so ago. It came after a hard collision perpendicular to the stylus/sensor. After which when the head rotated you could hear something rattling around. We removed it from the RDS carrier and found pieces of the aluminum collar hanging down into the stylus plate almost exactly as yours shows. It appeared to work as normal UNLESS the piece lodged into the plate and physically prevented it from moving to register a point. We removed a few of the smaller pieces but one large one was still free floating. The only way to get it out was to disassemble the unit. After some calls to those "in the know" we found the only way to disassemble the unit is to heat it to soften the adhesive between the upper/lower halves. We weren't willing to damage internal components by heating it.

Replacement was about $5k IIRC. As easy as unscrewing the sensor from its plug, reinstalling and requalifying.

[[Ma...]]

Hello,

Those aluminum "half moons" are the hard limits inside the XXT. They can come off during a hard collision as has been mentioned. If you can find a way to remove them, it is possible to continue using the head but I would be concerned about machine accuracy after such a hard collision.

Best practice would be to get a Zeiss certified tech out to check the machine. In the meantime I would at the very least check an Ring gauge with a Diameter of 50mm or more and evaluate the roundness (this is the same check we do during calibration).