Pressure Sensitive Z-Zero Plate

[Keith Larrett]

I recently purchased the new pressure sensitive Z-Zero plate from ShopBot. I installed it on the toolbar of my ATC to replace the factory fixed Z-Zero plate. Very pleased with how well it works and how quick and easy it is to zero all the tools on the toolbar now. Here is a short video of it in operation.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dosMWAldlM

[Keith Larrett]

I called and thanked him personally, but I also wanted to thank Ryan Patterson at ShopBot publicly. I had emailed ShopBot about the possibility of a script which would zero all the tools on the tool rack without any further prompts from the user. Later that day he emailed me with the attached file. I added it to the SB software as a custom cut, CN71 and tested it this morning. It ran great! After typing CN71 and then hitting enter, there were no further prompts required from me and the machine zeroed all the tools, 1 through 6, on the fixed pressure sensitive plate in just a couple of minutes.

I've attached the file to this post. Hopefully someone else can also benefit from it.

Thank you again Ryan!

[knight_toolworks]

how does the pressure plate differ then what I have a bolt mounted to my table that I adjust as I shave the table down?

[ADAPT_Shop-Brady]

Knight, do you still have to attach a clip to your bit to complete the circuit when you zero? The pressure plate doesn't require any connect/disconnect steps in order to zero a bit. It would also be capable of zeroing non-conductive bits or other various implements (such as a ball point pen). Also, I don't think you'll need to adjust your table mounted bolt if you set it up as a fixed zero plate, once you do that, after surfacing, you just have to reset the offset between your table and bolt.

Keith, that is pretty sweet. Another pat on the back for Ryan and the team. Their reputation is well founded.

[knight_toolworks]

I just have the clip attached to the machine I have not touched it in years. I just a straightedge to level the bolt. but to be able to zero pens would be nice.

[ADAPT_Shop-Brady]

I just have the clip attached to the machine I have not touched it in years. I just a straightedge to level the bolt. but to be able to zero pens would be nice.

So you have the bolt replacing your z-zero plate, but what are you using on the the bit to create an open/closed circuit?

[knight_toolworks]

here here is my setup I just run a wire from the bolt to the same input as the plate
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28602&stc=1http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28603&stc=1

[Keith Larrett]

how does the pressure plate differ then what I have a bolt mounted to my table that I adjust as I shave the table down?

For me, the biggest advantage of the pressure plate is that I don't need to use the crocodile clip. I know you and many others have the clip permanently attached to the machine but I spent hours trying to find some spot on the machine where I could permanently mount the crocodile clip and never found a spot that completed the circuit. Also, where I am using the pressure plate, as my fixed z-zero, that is measuring the z-zero of all the tools in the toolbar relative to one another. I still have the regular mobile aluminum plate that I use to measure to the top of the material or spoil board and I have to use the crocodile clip for that.