3D probe model feature

Help for setting up and using
Post Reply
daedelus
Site Admin
Posts: 387
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:41 pm
Location: London, UK
Contact:

3D probe model feature

Post by daedelus »

I have been working last week on a new feature for AE where an RPF (raw probe file) can be read and a 3D model is generated. This shows visually the high and low points of the RPF, a 3D height map if you will. I decided to make a post to give you an idea of this.

For those wondering what an RPF is; it is merely a file with a list of XYZ values which are recorded by your CNC software during probing which you have probably used in v0.8+ of the original AL. This RPF is then used by AL to pre-calculate and generate the final autolevelled file. Separating the probing process from the etching process has many advantages, including the possibility to use one tool for probing and another for etching; a significant reduction of autolevelled GCode file size and elimination of the autolevelling calculations needed your CNC software and machine to perform on the fly, since calculations can now be done in AL with the RPF and not in GCode.

An example of an RPF is shown here…

Code: Select all

0.00000,-0.00000,0.00020 
0.38984,-0.00000,0.00215 
0.77968,-0.00000,0.00517 
1.16952,-0.00000,0.00695 
1.55936,-0.00000,0.00850 
1.94920,-0.00000,0.00898 
2.33904,-0.00000,0.00889 
2.72888,-0.00000,0.00823 
3.11873,-0.00000,0.00729 
3.50857,-0.00000,0.00547 
3.89841,-0.00000,0.00303 
3.89841,0.38746,0.00258 
3.50857,0.38746,0.00444 
3.11873,0.38746,0.00574 
2.72888,0.38746,0.00649 
2.33904,0.38746,0.00687 
1.94920,0.38746,0.00689 
1.55936,0.38746,0.00660 
1.16952,0.38746,0.00583 
0.77968,0.38746,0.00415 
0.38984,0.38746,0.00245 
0.00000,0.38746,0.00097 
0.00000,0.77490,0.00232 
0.38984,0.77490,0.00268 
0.77968,0.77490,0.00397 
1.16952,0.77490,0.00460 
1.55936,0.77490,0.00488 
1.94920,0.77490,0.00509 
2.33904,0.77490,0.00514 
2.72888,0.77490,0.00461 
3.11873,0.77490,0.00432 
3.50857,0.77490,0.00332 
3.89841,0.77490,0.00260 
3.89841,1.16236,-0.00975 
3.50857,1.16236,0.00386 
3.11873,1.16236,0.00441 
2.72888,1.16236,0.00472 
2.33904,1.16236,0.00495 
1.94920,1.16236,0.00492 
1.55936,1.16236,0.00508 
1.16952,1.16236,0.00472 
0.77968,1.16236,0.00426 
0.38984,1.16236,0.00398 
0.00000,1.16236,0.00438 
0.00000,1.54980,0.00495 
0.38984,1.54980,0.00421 
0.77968,1.54980,0.00435 
1.16952,1.54980,0.00463 
1.55936,1.54980,0.00432 
1.94920,1.54980,0.00434 
2.33904,1.54980,0.00449 
2.72888,1.54980,0.00412 
3.11873,1.54980,0.00395 
3.50857,1.54980,0.00364 
3.89841,1.54980,-0.01173 
3.89841,1.93725,0.00429 
3.50857,1.93725,0.00420 
3.11873,1.93725,0.00474 
2.72888,1.93725,0.00501 
2.33904,1.93725,0.00488 
1.94920,1.93725,0.00486 
1.55936,1.93725,0.00529 
1.16952,1.93725,0.00503 
0.77968,1.93725,0.00478 
0.38984,1.93725,0.00497 
0.00000,1.93725,0.00546 
0.00000,2.32470,0.00523 
0.38984,2.32470,0.00471 
0.77968,2.32470,0.00489 
1.16952,2.32470,0.00514 
1.55936,2.32470,0.00537 
1.94920,2.32470,0.00527 
2.33904,2.32470,0.00518 
2.72888,2.32470,0.00512 
3.11873,2.32470,0.00529 
3.50857,2.32470,0.00508 
3.89841,2.32470,0.00503 
3.89841,2.71215,0.00566 
3.50857,2.71215,0.00643 
3.11873,2.71215,0.00654 
2.72888,2.71215,0.00672 
2.33904,2.71215,0.00663 
1.94920,2.71215,0.00652 
1.55936,2.71215,0.00643 
1.16952,2.71215,0.00646 
0.77968,2.71215,0.00606 
0.38984,2.71215,0.00514 
0.00000,2.71215,0.00541 
0.00000,3.09959,0.00547 
0.38984,3.09959,0.00584 
0.77968,3.09959,0.00718 
1.16952,3.09959,0.00795 
1.55936,3.09959,0.00843 
1.94920,3.09959,0.00834 
2.33904,3.09959,0.00869 
2.72888,3.09959,0.00838 
3.11873,3.09959,0.00820 
3.50857,3.09959,0.00766 
3.89841,3.09959,0.00637
It has long been my thinking that the RPF holds a lot more potentially useful information than just a list of points for AL to use for levelling, if we can just extract and make use of it. First of all, it would be helpful to visualise this data so that we can spot and fix problems before we use the file for etching.

The new RPF 3D modeling feature AE converts the RPF into a 3D model to give you a much better view of the probing results. as the following screenshot shows.
RPF3Dheightmap.jpg
A colored image showing height is generated and mapped onto the 3D model where red areas show low Z numbers and green is high Z values. From the image we can see the top and bottom edges bulge upwards, and the corner closest to the camera and the edge furthest away are the deepest parts.

We can amplify the Z parts to exagerate the imperfections and make problems easier to see…
RPF3DheightmapAmped.jpg
The area on the far edge is particularly deep (maybe the board was dirty in this area?) and could cause problems when etching. The problem is that the autolevelled GCode will possibly etch too deep in this area if the RPF from which it is generated is giving false readings. I would not have seen this possible error if I had no 3D model to view so its important to check for probing errors with this tool before autolevelling and etching.

I have 2 choices for fixing this, either manually edit the RPF to bring the problem areas into line or give the board I was probing a wipe and probe again. I would be willing to bet that this area appears “flatter” after this second probe.

Its still at a prototype stage at the moment and there is a lot more to add but the 3D model will be a very useful addition in my opinion. I wanted to share this with you guys to see what you think. Any thoughts, feedback and questions on this will be gratefully received. :)
http://www.autoleveller.co.uk/. Software to probe and adjust a GCode file for PCB's or any probe-able surface.

http://www.autoleveller.co.uk/cnc-probe-guide/. A short guide to setting up the probe.

-James
User avatar
Country_Bubba
Posts: 124
Joined: Wed Oct 02, 2013 3:07 pm
Location: LaGrange, GA USA
Contact:

Re: 3D probe model feature

Post by Country_Bubba »

:D
I like it as I have always thought the route of a separate routine for leveling was the way to go as it can be used for other things besides pcb's.
At first blush, this additional routine could prove significantly useful in many applications.

Looking forward to its development.
Art
Country Bubba
daedelus
Site Admin
Posts: 387
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:41 pm
Location: London, UK
Contact:

Re: 3D probe model feature

Post by daedelus »

I make you right there Art.

Separating the probing and etching stages using an RPF gives the operator a lot of options. 8-)
http://www.autoleveller.co.uk/. Software to probe and adjust a GCode file for PCB's or any probe-able surface.

http://www.autoleveller.co.uk/cnc-probe-guide/. A short guide to setting up the probe.

-James
User avatar
Country_Bubba
Posts: 124
Joined: Wed Oct 02, 2013 3:07 pm
Location: LaGrange, GA USA
Contact:

Re: 3D probe model feature

Post by Country_Bubba »

:D WOW
Now that I have had a chance to try it, It is fantastic.

I really like the idea of being able to spot imperfections in the board. This is a perfect evolution to the system.

Now I am going to have to make a board again. :arrow:
Art
Country Bubba
Post Reply