Touch probes are used for edge and center "finding" or tool-setting and as a means to digitize objects. This project is aimed at digitization but the constructed probe would function in other uses mentioned.    This is an excellent DIY project.

All manfactured components in the project are made using a mill only.    Information is provided in respect of transforming the point-cloud data returned by the probe into a 3D surface.  An alternative method to the means described might be by use of MESHLab. which has a built in function to perform this task. Click on the image to access further information.