Renishaw RLP40 User manual

RLP40 radio lathe probe
Installation guide
H-5627-8504-07-B

Renishaw part no.: H-5627-8504-07-B
First issued: 02.2010
Revised: 04.2023
© 2010–2023 Renishaw plc. All rights reserved.
This document may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part, or transferred to any other media
or language, by any means, without the prior written permission of Renishaw plc.
Renishaw plc. Registered in England and Wales. Company no: 1106260. Registered office: New Mills,
Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 8JR, UK.
Compliance information for this product is available by scanning the QR code or visiting
www.renishaw.com/mtpdoc

i
Contents
Before you begin .............................................................1.1
Disclaimer .................................................................1.1
Trade marks................................................................1.1
Warranty ..................................................................1.1
CNC machines .............................................................1.1
Care of the probe ...........................................................1.2
Patents ...................................................................1.2
RLP40 software notices ......................................................1.2
Intended use ...............................................................1.3
Safety ....................................................................1.3
RLP40 basics ................................................................2.1
Introduction ................................................................2.1
RLP40H ................................................................2.1
Getting started ...........................................................2.1
System interface..........................................................2.2
Trigger Logic™ ...........................................................2.2
Probe modes...............................................................2.2
Configurable settings.........................................................2.3
Switch-on / switch-off methods...............................................2.3
Enhanced trigger filter .....................................................2.4
Multiple probe mode.......................................................2.4
Acquisition mode .........................................................2.5
RLP40 dimensions ..........................................................2.6
RLP40 and RLP40H specification...............................................2.7
Typical battery life.........................................................2.8
System installation ...........................................................3.1
Installing the RLP40 with an RMI or RMI-Q .......................................3.1
Positioning the RLP40 and RMI or RMI-Q ......................................3.2
Performance envelope .....................................................3.2

RLP40 installation guide
ii
Contents
Preparing the RLP40 for use...................................................3.3
Fitting the stylus ..........................................................3.3
Installing the batteries .....................................................3.4
Mounting the probe on a shank ..............................................3.5
Stylus on-centre adjustment.................................................3.6
Stylus trigger force and adjustment (RLP40 only)...................................3.7
Calibrating the RLP40 ........................................................3.8
Why calibrate a probe? ....................................................3.8
Calibrating in a bored hole or on a turned diameter...............................3.8
Calibrating in a ring gauge or on a datum sphere ................................3.8
Calibrating the probe length .................................................3.9
Trigger Logic™ ...............................................................4.1
Reviewing the probe settings ..................................................4.1
Multiple probe mode settings ..................................................4.2
Probe settings record ........................................................4.3
Changing the probe settings ...................................................4.4
RLP40 – RMI partnership .....................................................4.6
RLP40 – RMI-Q partnership ...................................................4.7
Operating mode.............................................................4.8
Maintenance .................................................................5.1
Maintenance ...............................................................5.1
Cleaning the probe ..........................................................5.1
Changing the batteries .......................................................5.2
RLP40 eyelid ...............................................................5.4
Fault-finding .................................................................6.1
Parts list .....................................................................7.1

1.1
Before you begin
Disclaimer
WHILE CONSIDERABLE EFFORT WAS MADE TO VERIFY THE ACCURACY OF THIS DOCUMENT
AT PUBLICATION, ALL WARRANTIES, CONDITIONS, REPRESENTATIONS AND LIABILITY,
HOWSOEVER ARISING, ARE EXCLUDED TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
RENISHAW RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THIS DOCUMENT AND TO THE
EQUIPMENT, AND/OR SOFTWARE AND THE SPECIFICATION DESCRIBED HEREIN WITHOUT
OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE NOTICE OF SUCH CHANGES.
Trade marks
RENISHAW® and the probe symbol are registered trade marks of Renishaw plc. Renishaw
product names, designations and the mark ‘apply innovation’ are trade marks of Renishaw plc or its
subsidiaries.
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
AppStore is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Other brand, product or company names are trade marks of their respective owners.
Warranty
Unless you and Renishaw have agreed and signed a separate written agreement, the equipment
and/or software are sold subject to the Renishaw Standard Terms and Conditions supplied with such
equipment and/or software, or available on request from your local Renishaw office.
Renishaw warrants its equipment and software for a limited period (as set out in the Standard Terms
and Conditions), provided that they are installed and used exactly as defined in associated Renishaw
documentation. You should consult these Standard Terms and Conditions to find out the full details of
your warranty.
Equipment and/or software purchased by you from a third-party supplier is subject to separate terms
and conditions supplied with such equipment and/or software. You should contact your third-party
supplier for details.
CNC machines
CNC machine tools must always be operated by fully-trained personnel in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.

RLP40 installation guide
1.2
Before you begin
Care of the probe
Keep system components clean and treat the probe as a precision tool.
Patents
Features of the RLP40 and RLP40H, and other similar Renishaw products, are the subject of one or
more of the following patents and/or patent applications:
CN 100466003
CN 101482402
EP 1425550
EP 1457786
EP 1576560
EP 1804020
EP 1931936
EP 2216761
IN 215787
WO 2004/057552
JP 4575781
JP 5238749
JP 5390719
KR 1001244
TW I333052
US 7285935
US 7665219
US 7821420
US 9140547
RLP40 software notices
The RLP40 and RLP40H product includes embedded software (firmware) to which the following
notices apply:
US government notice
NOTICE TO UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT CONTRACT AND PRIME CONTRACT CUSTOMERS
This software is commercial computer software that has been developed by Renishaw exclusively
at private expense. Notwithstanding any other lease or licence agreement that may pertain to, or
accompany the delivery of, this computer software, the rights of the United States Government and/or
its prime contractors regarding its use, reproduction and disclosure are as set forth in the terms of the
contract or subcontract between Renishaw and the United States Government, civilian federal agency
or prime contractor respectively. Please consult the applicable contract or subcontract and the software
licence incorporated therein, if applicable, to determine your exact rights regarding use, reproduction
and/or disclosure.
Renishaw software EULA
Renishaw software is licensed in accordance with the Renishaw licence at:
www.renishaw.com/legal/softwareterms

1.3
Before you begin
Intended use
The RLP40 and RLP40H are radio lathe probes that enable automated workpiece inspection and job
set-up on multi-tasking machines and lathes.
Safety
Information to the user
This product is supplied with non-rechargeable lithium metal batteries. Refer to the battery
manufacturer’s literature for specific battery operating, safety and disposal guidelines.
• Do not attempt to recharge the batteries.
• Replace the batteries only with the specified type.
• Do not mix new and used batteries in the product.
• Do not mix different types or brands of batteries in the product.
• Ensure that all batteries are inserted with the correct polarity in accordance with the instructions in
this manual and indicated on the product.
• Do not store the batteries in direct sunlight.
• Do not expose the batteries to water.
• Do not expose the batteries to heat or dispose of the batteries in a fire.
• Avoid forced discharge of the batteries.
• Do not short circuit the batteries.
• Do not disassemble, apply excessive pressure, pierce, deform or subject the batteries to impact.
• Do not swallow the batteries.
• Keep the batteries out of the reach of children.
• If the batteries are swollen or damaged do not use them in the product and exercise caution when
handling them.
• Dispose of waste batteries in accordance with your local environmental and safety laws.
Ensure that you comply with international and national battery transport regulations when transporting
the batteries or this product with the batteries inserted. Lithium metal batteries are classified as
dangerous goods for transportation and require labelling and packaging in accordance with the
dangerous goods regulations before being offered for transportation. To reduce the risk of shipment
delays, should you need to return this product for any reason, do not return any batteries.
In all applications involving the use of machine tools, eye protection is recommended.
The RLP40 has a glass window. Handle with care if broken to avoid injury.

RLP40 installation guide
1.4
Before you begin
Information to the machine supplier/installer
It is the machine supplier’s responsibility to ensure that the user is made aware of any hazards
involved in operation, including those mentioned in Renishaw product literature, and to ensure that
adequate guards and safety interlocks are provided.
If the probe system fails, the probe signal may falsely indicate a probe seated condition. Do not rely on
probe signals to halt the movement of the machine.
Information to the equipment installer
All Renishaw equipment is designed to comply with the relevant UK, EU and FCC regulatory
requirements. It is the responsibility of the equipment installer to ensure that the following guidelines
are adhered to, in order for the product to function in accordance with these regulations:
• Any interface MUST be installed in a position away from any potential sources of electrical noise,
(for example power transformers, servo drives).
• All 0V/ground connections should be connected to the machine “star point” (the “star point” is a
single point return for all equipment ground and screen cables).This is very important and failure to
adhere to this can cause a potential difference between grounds.
• All screens must be connected as outlined in the user instructions.
• Cables must not be routed alongside high current sources (for example, motor power supply
cables), or be near high-speed data lines.
• Cable lengths should always be kept to a minimum.
Equipment operation
If this equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection provided by the
equipment may be impaired.

2.1
RLP40 basics
Introduction
At only 40mm diameter, the compact RLP40 job set-up and inspection probe sets industry standards
for functionality, reliability and robustness in the harshest of machine tool environments.
The RLP40 forms part of Renishaw’s family of new generation radio transmission probes. It is ideally
suited to multi-tasking machines and lathes where line-of-sight between probe and receiver is difficult
to achieve or where Z travel is limited.
The RLP40 complies with FCC regulations and operates in the 2.4 GHz band. It delivers interference-
free transmission through the use of frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS), which allows
several systems to operate in the same machine shop without risk of cross-interference.
All RLP40 settings are configured using Trigger Logic™. This technique enables the user to review and
subsequently change probe settings by deflecting the stylus whilst observing the LED display.
Configurable settings are:
• Radio on / Radio off
• Radio on / Timer off
• Spin on / Spin off
• Spin on / Timer off
• Filter on / Filter off
• Multiple probe mode on / Multiple probe mode off
RLP40H
The RLP40H variant is configured with high stylus trigger forces, making it particularly suitable for
application on machines that produce high levels of shock and vibration.
Getting started
Three multicolour LEDs provide visual indication of selected probe settings.
For example:
• Switch-on and switch-off methods
• Probe status – triggered or seated
• Battery condition

RLP40 installation guide
2.2
RLP40 basics
Batteries are inserted or removed as shown (for more information, see page 3.4, “Installing the
batteries”).
On insertion of batteries, the LEDs will begin to flash (for more information, see page 4.1,
“Reviewing the probe settings”).
System interface
The RMI and RMI-Q integrated interfaces/receivers are used to communicate between the RLP40
probe and the machine controller.
Trigger Logic™
Trigger Logic (for more information, see page 4.1, “Reviewing the probe settings”) is a method
that allows the user to view and select all available mode settings in order to customise a probe to suit
a specific application. Trigger Logic is activated by battery insertion and uses a sequence of stylus
deflections (triggering) to systematically lead the user through the available choices to allow selection
of the required mode options.
A Trigger Logic app is available that simplifies this process with clear, interactive instructions and
informative videos and is available for download on the following stores:
or
Current probe settings can be reviewed by removing the batteries for a minimum of 5 seconds, and
replacing them to activate the Trigger Logic review sequence (for more information, see page4.1,
“Reviewing the probe settings”).
Probe modes
The RLP40 probe can be in one of three modes:
Standby mode: where the probe is awaiting a switch-on signal.
Operational mode: when activated by one of the switch-on methods, the probe is switched on and
ready for use.
Configuration mode: where Trigger Logic may be used to configure the probe settings.