Flex Edge Finder WHY?

Flex Edge Finder WHY?

Hello, my name is Landon Brecheisen I created the Flex Edge Finder by INATOOL. I use to not look forward to edge finding. I regularly wondered if there was an easier, faster, and more precise way to edge find. The Flex Edge Finder is a joy to use. The Flex Edge Finder brings me peace of mind knowing the direct reading from the indicator ensures no overshooting or uncertainty of the edge location.

www.inatool.com

Flex Edge Finder by INATOOL 

When using the Flex Edge Finder no spindle is running, which means no power needed to edge find.

No spindle running means no annoying door alarms when edge finding in a CNC machine.

No spindle running means the doors on a CNC machine can be opened when edge finding, so you don’t have to look through a clouded dirty window.

No spindle running prevents safety issues, such as overriding safety devices.

If using a wobbler edge finder, you have to run spindle at around 1000 rpm which may mean a dreaded belt change on your machine.

Flex Edge finder is fast, easy, and precise

The Flex Edge Finder can cancel run out with a simple 180-degree rotation and splitting the difference on the indicator.

Flex Edge finder has a direct reading on position; therefore, no overshooting or uncertainty of location like with other edge finders.

Flex edge finder can be configured as an indicator holder to sweep in holes, vices, parts, etc.…

Flex Edge finder can be configured with different attachments and flex shaft forms to add factuality. Such attachments and shaft forms as follows. Directly on Edge flex shaft, Centering Vee attachment, ball tip, hole finder cone shaped tip, reduced area tip etc.…

Directly on Edge flex shaft may be useful because no offsetting or math needs to be made to account for shaft diameter.

The Flex Edge Finder with Centering Vee Attachment is one of the fastest ways to precisely center on round parts.

Flex Edge Finder can be used on plastic parts unlike the red light beeping conductive type, which use batteries and cannot cancel run out error.

Inatool Flex Edge Finder is one of the most precise tooling devices to find the edge of work pieces If used properly you will get to within .0001 of an inch

If extreme precision is required you can use the most precise indicator with the flex edge finder.

Flex Edge Finder makes edge finding enjoyable again and adds extra precision where you need it most.

 

Traditional edge finders.

Wobbler edge finder, Wiggler edge finder

Guessing when to stop based off the visibility of a spinning tip

Traditional edge finders waste time and can over shoot without knowing it. I am guilty of trying 2 or more times to get a feel for it and know as soon as the edge finder kicks to stop and not more anymore.

Traditional edge finders require spinning the spindle at a certain RPM, which may mean a dreaded belt change on your manual mill.

The edge of the work piece may have been overshot and you don’t know it because a traditional edge finder does not have a direct reading on workpiece location. The Flex Edge Finder uses an indicator and will not allow the operator to overshoot the edge.

 

3D taster

High dollar

Usually, to cancel run out you leave the 3d taster in a tool holder and indicate it in meaning the 3D taster is now only set up for one machine using that type of tool holder. 

3d taster are sensitive and extreme care should be taken to not drop.

If 3d taster is crashed, such as plunging down with force into something. The internal parts may become damaged meaning the 3d taster is no longer precise and may have a large error, which cannot be corrected unless sent off for costly factory repairs.

The 3d taster has internal parts with slop meaning there can only be a certain amount of repeatability and reliability. The Flex Edge Finder uses a flex shaft which replaces the unnecessary parts of a 3d taster.

Many parts which may brake

operators may have costly mistakes

clearance problem the pivot of the probe tip causes shaft to contact edge of part when lower down

3d taster does not have attachments and different tip forms only different length

3d taster not very good at finding round cylinder sides

 

Electric conductive beeping light edge finder

Run out error

Batteries, “Opps, I forgot to order batteries”

Will not work with non-conductive materials such as plastic and even if your part is metal there might be oxide, rust, paint, oil or other none conductive surfaces on your workpieces

 

Spindle probes

Spindle probes are nice

Would you consider the Flex Edge Finder as a backup option?

Spindle probes need batteries if the batteries die you have to order more and guess who forgot to order batteries, “not me” is usually the answer. 

The operator has to have training on the spindle probe, which may mean not a beginner friendly option.

If the operator crashed the thousands of dollars spindle probe. Do you have the Flex Edge Finder as a fast, easy, and precise backup solution?

The Flex Edge Finder can be used on CNC and manual machines.

The Flex Edge Finder may be used as an indicator holder to sweep in fixtures, holes, vices, and parts, in which cause the Flex Edge Finder is useful even if you have a spindle probe. If something happens to the spindle probe you can always use the Flex Edge Finder to edge find all your parts with high precision.

 

I hope I have brought back some joy to your edge finding endeavors. May you edge find better than ever.

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