Chotest PO40 In-Machine Touch Probe for CNC Machine Tools
| Brand | Chotest |
|---|---|
| Model | PO40 |
| Origin | Guangdong, China |
| Type | In-machine contact touch probe |
| Transmission | Modulated infrared |
| Repeatability (2σ) | <1.0 µm |
| Trigger life | >10 million cycles |
| Battery life | ≥150 hours (5% duty cycle) |
| Operating range | XY plane ±360°, Z-axis ±85°, linear transmission distance up to 5 m (standard power mode) |
| Protection rating | IP68 (probe & receiver), IPX8 (probe body sealing) |
| Power source | Replaceable primary battery |
| Control interface | M-code compatible, auto-wake via receiver, programmable delay-off |
| Diagnostic feedback | Multi-state LED indicators (wake/sleep, ready/triggered, battery status) |
| Software integration | Compatible with Chotest in-machine measurement software for automated program generation, 3D coordinate acquisition, and GD&T-compliant reporting |
Overview
The Chotest PO40 is a high-precision, modulated infrared in-machine touch probe engineered for real-time dimensional verification and adaptive compensation directly on 3-axis, 5-axis machining centers and multitasking turning-milling platforms. Unlike off-line CMM-based inspection, the PO40 operates within the machine’s working envelope—leveraging the same kinematic chain used for cutting—to deliver traceable, process-integrated metrology. Its measurement principle relies on mechanical triggering of a compliant stylus assembly, followed by robust optical signal transmission to a fixed-position receiver. The probe’s bidirectional repeatability of <1.0 µm (2σ) meets ISO 10360-5 requirements for tactile probing systems used in production metrology, enabling reliable first-article verification, setup validation, tool wear monitoring, and post-process geometric error correction without part removal.
Key Features
- Modulated infrared transmission: Immune to ambient light interference; achieves full 360° azimuthal coverage in XY plane and ±85° elevation range in Z-axis; supports up to 5 m line-of-sight transmission under standard power conditions.
- High metrological stability: Certified 2σ repeatability <1.0 µm across all trigger orientations; validated over >10 million mechanical actuations under controlled thermal and vibration conditions per ISO 10791-6.
- Industrial-grade durability: IP68-rated probe body and receiver housing; fully sealed against coolant ingress, metal chips, and high-pressure washdown; features 360° circumferential energy-absorbing structure to mitigate spindle impact during accidental collision.
- Low-power architecture: Optimized circuit design enables ≥150 hours of continuous operation at 5% duty cycle; battery replacement requires no recalibration or firmware reset.
- Integrated diagnostics: Multi-color, multi-segment LED indicator provides real-time status feedback—including wake/sleep state, stylus readiness, trigger confirmation, and low-battery warning—enabling rapid operator assessment without external tools.
- M-code-native control: Fully compliant with Fanuc, Siemens, Heidenhain, and Mitsubishi CNC macro programming standards; supports automatic activation/deactivation via G-code subroutines; includes fallback modes for receiver-initiated wake-up and programmable timeout shutdown.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The PO40 is mechanically and electrically compatible with all major CNC control platforms operating standard RS232 or parallel I/O interfaces. It accommodates standard DIN 69885 and ISO 22093 mounting configurations, including HSK, CAT, BT, and Capto tooling interfaces. Its physical dimensions (Ø34 × 102 mm) and mass (<320 g) ensure minimal inertial loading on high-speed spindles. The probe conforms to EN 60204-1 (electrical safety), EN 61000-6-2/6-4 (EMC immunity/emission), and ISO 13857 (safety distances). All firmware and communication protocols are designed to support audit-ready data integrity in GLP/GMP environments, with optional timestamped event logging aligned to machine PLC cycles.
Software & Data Management
The PO40 integrates natively with Chotest’s proprietary in-machine measurement software suite—deployed as a Windows-based application running on the machine’s HMI or an external industrial PC. The software generates ISO 20161-compliant measurement routines from CAD models or manual feature definitions, supporting automated alignment (3-2-1, best-fit), GD&T evaluation (position, flatness, concentricity, profile), and statistical process control (SPC) charting. Measurement data exports to CSV, XML, and STEP AP242 formats; raw trigger coordinates are time-stamped and linked to NC program blocks for full traceability. Optional API access enables integration with MES platforms (e.g., Siemens Opcenter, Rockwell FactoryTalk) and supports FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic signatures when deployed with validated authentication modules.
Applications
- Workpiece setup verification: Automatic part centering, edge finding, and zero-point establishment prior to machining.
- In-process dimensional control: Real-time measurement of critical features (diameters, depths, bores, slots) mid-cycle to detect drift or tool wear.
- Post-process inspection: Full GD&T validation—including true position, runout, and surface profile—without part relocation.
- Adaptive machining: Closed-loop compensation of thermal expansion, fixture shift, or workpiece deformation using measured deviations fed back to the CNC controller.
- Tool calibration & management: Automatic detection of tool length/offset changes and wear-induced geometry shifts across multi-tool operations.
FAQ
What CNC control systems is the PO40 compatible with?
The PO40 supports native M-code triggering on Fanuc (Oi-MD, 31i-B), Siemens SINUMERIK 828D/840D sl, Heidenhain TNC 640, and Mitsubishi M800/M700 series controllers via standard digital I/O or RS232 handshake.
Does the probe require recalibration after battery replacement?
No. The PO40 retains its factory calibration coefficients in non-volatile memory; battery swap is a hot-swappable maintenance task with zero downtime or recalibration overhead.
Can the PO40 be used in wet machining environments with flood coolant?
Yes. Its IP68-rated construction ensures full submersion resistance (up to 1.5 m for 30 minutes) and sustained operation under high-volume coolant flow typical in automotive and aerospace component machining.
Is the infrared transmission affected by mist or smoke in the machining enclosure?
The modulated carrier frequency and narrow-band optical filtering minimize attenuation from coolant mist and machining aerosols; empirical testing confirms stable link integrity at 95% relative humidity and particulate concentrations up to 5 mg/m³.
How is measurement traceability ensured for quality audits?
Each measurement event logs CNC cycle time, probe serial number, trigger count, stylus orientation vector, and environmental temperature (via optional external sensor input), generating ISO/IEC 17025–aligned metadata for full metrological traceability.
