Selecting Marposs Laser vs Renishaw Spindle Probe for Fanuc VMC

Overview: Tool Setting and Spindle Probing on Fanuc VMCs

Selecting between a non-contact laser tool setter (e.g., Marposs VTS, Renishaw NC4) and a spindle touch probe (e.g., Renishaw OMP60, Marposs Mida Laser) is a recurring decision for job shops commissioning Fanuc-controlled vertical machining centres. The two technologies solve different problems: laser setters measure tool length and diameter at spindle stand-still, while spindle touch probes perform in-process datum setting, first-article inspection, and 3D feature measurement. The selection is not mutually exclusive; many production cells integrate both. The choice is governed by control compatibility, multi-machine probe portability, software stack (Verisurf, Renishaw Productivity+, Fusion 360 probing), and long-term calibration stability.

Probe Technology Comparison

Renishaw OMP60 / MP Series on Fanuc Controls

The Renishaw OMP60 optical transmission probe and the MP-series table probes are the de-facto standard for Fanuc-controlled VMCs (VF-2SS, VM3, EC-1600, Daewoo HP5100, Johnford Gantry). Communication uses the Fanuc High-Speed Skip (G31) interface on the spindle-head PCB, with the OMM (Optical Machine Module) receiver mounted in the work envelope. The interface is control-agnostic at the receiver level; the OMM emits a 1 µs skip pulse that is wired to a Fanuc skip input (typically skipped via the PMC ladder).

Key Fanuc integration parameters:

• Skip signal assignment: G31 X_ Y_ Z_ F_ with skip input mapped in the PMC (X4.7 or X8.x depending on the I/O card).
• Macro variable capture: #5061 (X), #5062 (Y), #5063 (Z) are populated on skip event.
• Probe enable M-code: typically M55 (OMM LED on), M56 (probe on), M57 (probe off). These are PMC-customizable.
• OMP60 trigger force: 0.30 N (XY), 0.60 N (Z) with standard 50 mm styli.

Probe calibration macros (Renishaw standard set) are loaded into the Fanuc custom macro B environment (G65 calls). The standard library is 9.7 kB and includes OMP60, OMP40-2, and MP-series routines.

Marposs Mida Laser and VTS Tool Setters

Marposs offers two non-contact tool measurement families commonly quoted on Fanuc VMCs:

• Mida Laser – in-spindle laser tool setter for tool length/diameter on turning centres (SL10, etc.) and some VMCs with HSK or CAT spindle adaptors.
• VTS (Visual Tool Setter) – table-mounted laser beam-break setter for milling. Trigger repeatability ±0.5 µm with thermal-stable mounting.

Marposs probes communicate with the control via discrete I/O (probe-triggered 24 V signal) or proprietary serial (Marposs MMR / DBB bus). On Fanuc, the typical integration is hard-wired to a skip input identical to the Renishaw OMM wiring path; the bus variants require a Marposs P7 or P8 interface card slot.

Field-Reported Drift: Marposs vs Renishaw

Field experience with Marposs spindle probes on Haas SL10 lathes and similar configurations reports a calibration drift of ~0.003 in (0.076 mm) per month, requiring monthly recalibration cycles. By contrast, Renishaw OMP60 probes in similar service intervals typically drift <0.0005 in (0.013 mm) over six months, provided the stylus is inspected for damage and the OMM window is kept clean.

Haas-Renishaw Exclusivity and Multi-Machine Portability

Haas Automation has an exclusive supply agreement with Renishaw for OEM spindle probes on the VF, VM, EC, and DM-series machines. A Renishaw probe purchased from Haas is delivered with Haas-specific licensing in the OMP60 firmware and the OMM receiver. When the probe is moved to a different control (e.g., a Johnford Gantry with Fanuc 18i-MB, a Daewoo HP5100 with Fanuc 21i-MB, or any Siemens / Heidenhain machine), Renishaw will not re-license the probe for the new control. The OMM receiver is also machine-paired in some cases.

For shops with a mixed fleet (Haas + Fanuc + non-Haas), the workaround is to purchase a standard Renishaw MP-series kit (table probe + OMP60 + OMM) directly from Renishaw or an authorised distributor. The standard kit is portable across Fanuc, Siemens, Heidenhain, Mazak, and Okuma controls without re-licensing. The price premium over a Haas-bundled kit is typically 8-15%, but the multi-machine utility is the deciding factor.

3D Probing Software: Verisurf, Productivity+, and PC-DMIS

For a spindle probe to deliver 3D inspection value, a measurement software layer is required. Common choices on Fanuc-controlled VMCs:

• Renishaw Productivity+ – free with OMP60 purchase, native Fanuc macro output, CAD import, GD&T callouts, MBD-based reporting.
• Verisurf – independent metrology suite, common with Marposs and Renishaw probes, supports probing routines + reverse engineering + in-process inspection. License per seat.
• Hexagon PC-DMIS – high-end metrology for CMM-class reporting; runs on PC connected to the Fanuc via DNC or FOCAS.
• Autodesk Fusion 360 Probing – CAM-integrated probing, lighter on metrology features than Verisurf or PC-DMIS.

For a small job shop with surfacing and detail work, Verisurf is the most common pairing because it can drive both Renishaw and Marposs probes without vendor lock-in.

Machine-Level Considerations: VF-2SS, VM3, EC-1600, HP5100

Decision Matrix: Laser Setter, Spindle Probe, or Both

Commissioning Steps on a Fanuc VMC

1. Verify the OMM receiver wiring to the Fanuc skip input and PMC ladder. Confirm skip enable bits SSTB in the PMC diagnostics screen.
2. Load Renishaw macro library (or Marposs equivalent) into custom macro B storage. Test with G65 P9810 (probe power-on check).
3. Calibrate the probe stylus on a known calibration ring or sphere. Run G65 P9811 (tip diameter calibration) and G65 P9812 (length calibration).
4. If a laser tool setter is fitted, run the M-code enable test (e.g., M50 activates the laser beam, M51 deactivates). Verify the laser interlock circuit is closed before allowing spindle rotation over the beam path.
5. Run a 3D probing verification routine on a calibrated artifact (e.g., a 1-2-3 block or Renishaw ACC2-1000). Capture the deviation report; if 2σ > 0.0005 in (0.013 mm), re-cal the probe.
6. Configure Verisurf or Productivity+ to talk to the Fanuc via FOCAS (Ethernet) or DNC (RS-232C). Verify the measurement point stream at 50 Hz minimum.

Verification Checklist

• Probe repeatability (2σ) on a fixed feature: <0.0005 in (0.013 mm).
• Laser tool setter repeatability: <0.0010 in (0.025 mm) for tool length, <0.0005 in (0.013 mm) for tool diameter.
• Skip event capture in custom macro: #5061..#5063 populate within 1 ms of probe trigger.
• Tool offset table update: H-code length and D-code diameter populate correctly from probe cycle.
• Probe enable indicator (panel LED or HMI screen) reflects M55/M56/M57 state.
• Calibration date stamp logged in maintenance record; schedule re-cal at six months (Renishaw) or one month (Marposs) intervals.

Troubleshooting Matrix

Cost-of-Ownership Notes

A Renishaw OMP60 + OMM + calibration artefact kit typically lists at ~$9,000-12,000 USD depending on styli and configurator. A Marposs equivalent Mida Laser + VTS is in the same band, but add ~$1,500-3,000/year for re-cal labour and styli replacement to budget if you observe the field-reported monthly drift. A laser-only configuration (no spindle probe) starts at ~$5,000-7,000 for an NC4F90 or VTS, but provides no in-process inspection capability.

FAQ