Auto Tool Length Adjuster for Shapeoko

thingiverse

This is my take on an automatic tool length adjuster for the Shapeoko 3 Standard. I assume this would work on any Shapeoko. I wanted this to be as low profile and straightforward as possible so I created this based on some others I had seen. Here are the detailed instructions and please review all photos for visuals and schematic. <b>You Will Need</b> 1. A momentary button - I used <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012I0GSR8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">this one from Amazon for $4</a> 2. Some wire for attaching to alligator clip terminal and to place under the Carbide Touch Probe 3. Three screws - (2) for mounting the clip to the Shapeoko, (1) for the alligator clip post (or you could simply hook to your wire) 4. (Optional) <a href="https://www.chepclub.com/cura-profiles.html">CHEP Printing Profiles</a> <b>Step 1</b> Download STL's into your slicer program of choice and print. Models should be oriented in the vertical position and I printed with a brim. Printer settings included in this Thing file. ===NOTE COMMENTS IN PRINT SECTION=== <b>Step 2</b> Test fit to the Shapeoko and the screw portion. <b>Step 3</b> Place the rubber seal on the button and trash the retainer bolt. Attach your wire pieces to the two terminals of the button. Feed one down to the alligator screw terminal and attach or simply pass it through the supplied post and leave. Feed the second through the screw out of the bottom. Don't feed it into the Touch Probe holder yet. <b>Step 4</b> Screw the button and button holder into the Touch Probe Holder chassis. If it gets tight, the base is squared off for a 5/8" wrench (or adjustable). <b>Step 5</b> Feed the longer wire through the hole in the side of the Touch Probe Holder, follow the path, push wire down through the hole in the bottom plate and trim. Be as nutty as you want about getting the wire into the channel but the goal is to have some of it above the channel so the Touch Probe can make good contact with it. Attach your alligator clip from the Touch Probe to the screw terminal (or wire) from your buttons second contact. Turn on your Shapeoko with the Touch Probe in the holder. The indicator light should be green. If you depress the button, your light should turn red indicating a circuit break. Securely mount the holder in your desired position on the outer limits of your available travel. NOTE: The wire I referenced is not wrapped, if you use similar, make sure the two wires are not touching inside the housing. If yours are wrapped, make sure you strip the wire under the Touch Probe so it makes contact. <b>Step 6</b> In Carbide Motion, you need to now let it know you are a baller with a tool length adjuster. Open CM > Click SETTINGS in the upper right corner > Click SETUP SHAPEOKO button > Turn on the setting for BITSETTER PROBE and follow the instructions. <b>Step 7</b> Enjoy your new-found tool changing freedom.