For years I’ve attached the BitZero 1 & 2 lead to the collet to ensure the circuit is closed on contact. Today I touched the BitZero directly to the end mill with the magnet attached to nothing. Closed circuit. I touched it to the metal on the bed with the magnet attached to nothing. Closed circuit.
Either BitZero behaves differently on the HDM or … ?
The machine is properly grounded.
BitZero V2 should work properly as it’s base is machined plastic, so it would be isolated.
What happens when you touch the lead/magnet to the Bit Zero? Are you using a coated endmill?
It behaves as you’d expect, the circuit is closed.
However, if the lead/magnet isn’t connected it still closes the circuit.
Having had many students accidentally ram the end mill into BitZero in the past
because they didn’t attach the alligator clip or magnet, this behavior is new and I’m suspicious.
When an end mill touches BitZero W/Othe lead/magnet on the chuck it’s not supposed to work, right?.
Is that correct? Historically the lead needed to be connected to the end mill or chuck.
True, I’m not arguing that it’s not functioning.
I’m wondering if my current behavior is due to a short.
Should you be able to trigger BitZero by touching any HDM metal?
If the LED is on without touching grounded metal then there is a problem with the wiring or the probe. If you have a metal surface that is connected to the controller ground (which is PE - Earth ground) it should trigger the Bit Zero. With a trim router you need to ground the collet with the magnet or alligator clip. The router is a double insulated device so the collet is not electrically connected to ground. If you have a spindle with metal bearings the spindle should be grounded if properly wired, ceramic bearings however may not be conductive. My pre-probing routine is to lift the bit zero to the end mill or gauge pin to ensure the LED turns on properly before running the probing cycle.
This is the answer I was looking for, thanks.
Sorry my initial answer was unclear. Your spindle should be grounded all the way through to the conductive endmill. No need to add a wire connecting it to ground. Sounds like everything is working as it should.
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