Sensor Probe Manufacturing: Swiss CNC Machining Guide
Materials for Sensor Probes
Sensor probe manufacturing uses stainless steel 303 for general probes, beryllium copper for spring contacts and tungsten carbide for wear-resistant tips. Probe tip radius tolerance ±5μm for precision measurement.
Spherical tips for point measurement, chisel tips for groove inspection, and custom geometries for specialized applications.
| Material | Conductivity | Wear | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS 303 | Moderate | Good | General purpose |
| BeCu | Excellent | Very Good | Spring contacts |
| Tungsten Carbide | Low | Excellent | Wear-resistant |
| Brass C360 | Excellent | Moderate | Low cost |
Swiss CNC Process
Swiss-type CNC completes probes in one operation with ±3μm diameter tolerance and ±5μm concentricity. Bar stock to 5mm, cycle times 30-90 seconds. Thread whirling for precision threads on probe housings.
Real-time laser diameter measurement with feedback for tool wear compensation. C-axis positioning for angular features.
| Feature | Tolerance | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | ±3μm | Single-point turning |
| Tip Radius | ±5μm | Form tool |
| Thread | 6g class | Thread whirling |
| Concentricity | ±5μm | One setup |
Quality Control
Laser micrometer for diameter every 50 parts. Optical comparator for tip geometry per batch. Contact force testing for spring-loaded probes at 10% sample rate. Weekly CMM audit for process validation.
Statistical process control tracks diameter trends and triggers tool changes before drift exceeds limits.
