probe storing problem

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[[Ra...]]

First time I've ever seen something like that. I would probably just keep taking off components one by one to try and isolate the problem child. One stylus off, other stylus off, knuckle off, etc. 

If it keeps alarming when completely dissasembled, maybe it has something to do with the qualification?

Very shocked that changing the adapter plate and rack port didn't help.

[[To...]]

Another funny thing. It seems like each time I change something, it will actually work ONCE but then doesn't work again.  I am getting a complex that there's a hidden camera somewhere and someone is messin' with me.

[[Ni...]]

Do you have another machine you could try this on?  Rule out the probe head if it is a weight or balance issue? 

 

I had this issue once but it was specific to the holder location.  It ended up being that the screw somehow backed out that held in the circular clocking tab that is under the bellow of the holder. 

[[To...]]

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  Unfortunately, I don't.

[[Ni...]]

Can you add a short extension in the Z axis? is there a chance its hitting the bottom of the holder on the way in? 

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 That was my original config and it didn't work after a couple of probe changes.  The only other thing that I can't try is swapping the VAST-Gold sensor, which was replaced back in December.

Edited yesterday at 05:30 PM

[[Sv...]]

I only have Vast XXT with RDS. But doesn't Vast Gold also have the ID chip? Could that be the reason?

[[To...]]

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I do not have it activated on my machine.  BTW, the ID chip can be switched on or off on VAST-XXT, too.  Typically, it only comes into play when loading a stylus system manually or via cnc change. It ensures that you have loaded the correct stylus system.   

I am able to pick up this stylus system, just can't drop it off.

Edited 8 hours ago

[[Ch...]]

I agree that its odd that changing adaptor plates or probe holders didn't help.

I don't think balance is your issue.  I use one stylus system that is way more out of balance than that one, and it still picks up and drops off fine.

Gremlins or Voodoo is the only logical explanation here. 

[[Do...]]

Likely not your issue, but I had encountered a probe change issue in the past as well. Zeiss techs came out and thought it was likely a short in the cabling. I found out we had water/oil getting into the machine that was causing the limit switch to activate randomly during probe changes (always when dropping off). In my case, the probes/bays were random so trying to pinpoint the issue took some time. Ended up deep cleaning the bowls, replacing the filters and adding additional filtration to the incoming air line to resolve the problem.

[[Ri...]]

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Is this an authentic Zeiss adapter plate?

What is marking on the plate? Damage or wear?

If you manually place it in there, how does it feel if you attempt to manually slide it in and out?

[[Th...]]

That looks like plastic residue from the probe holders. I have holders and plates that are a decade old at this point, and they all have stuff there from the flanges in the holders being slowly ground away by friction against the plates over time.

[[Sc...]]

Those are rub marks from the holder. I usually get those on the most used stylus systems and adapter plates with rough anodize. I usually clean my plates twice a year to remove it. I had a similar issue with adapter plates not engaging or disengaging in a holder. Couple of things I did was change the name of the probe assembly and build it with just a single stylus in the Z direction. Then if it changed with no issues, modify it to be what I needed. The other thing I did was clean all the bays really well and polish the fins that guide the adapter plates in place. If none of these worked, I re-weighed and re-balanced the assembly to ensure it was as close to even on each side. Another thing to try is possibly put small extensions on the X+/X- directions to see if there is an angular issue preventing the change from happening. 

[[To...]]

Everything is official Zeiss gear.  I will take a look at plastic buildup, including on the other two adapter plates.  

This machine is not in a production environment and gets very light usage.  It is off more than it is on.

I'm going to focus on the balance though I've used unbalanced stylus systems in the part and never had an issue. I do try to use some kind of counterweight most of the time.  Everything I'm currently using is carbon fiber with the exception of the 3x58 stylus with the steel extensions. Maybe the steel extensions are too much weight in the -Y direction....   Any suggestions on how to balance a tool?

I also don't have any issues with the other probe with the extended +Y. I think the only 3 things left are the cleanliness, the balance or the new VAST-Gold, though I tech told me it couldn't be the sensor. And, the suggestions by Scott W.

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.