A method of determining a radius of a cutting end of a tool for a turning machine using a touch probe is provided. One of the cutting end and the touch probe is movable relative to a reference frame having a first axis and a second axis and having a reference point trackable in the reference frame. The method comprises establishing a first contact point and recording a first coordinate of the reference point on the first axis; establishing a second contact point and recording a second coordinate of the reference point on the second axis; establishing a third contact point and recording a third coordinate of the reference point on the first axis and a fourth coordinate of the reference point on the second axis upon contact; and determining a radius of the cutting end based on the first, second, third and fourth coordinates.

The problem when fabricating structures from pieces requiring bent and straight sections is controlling the straight lengths, bend angles, and rotation between each bend. The very nature of assembling sections of tube into structures introduces a 3-dimensional aspect that needs to be controlled. Applications vary wherein the desired final structure of tubing containing bends needs be coplanar; other times, not. To date there is no device that measures bends, indicating accurate and precise degrees of angle while determining the centerline length of bent section simultaneously, and, planes tangent to the outer circumference of any of the tubes creating the structure. What's more, a device that indicates rotational lines along the straight sections of tube to be fitted with pre-bent sections. Additionally, the device allows for precise bending and fitting measurements to be transcribed onto tube to be bent and cut as per the device's function.

The problem when fabricating structures from pieces requiring bent and straight sections is controlling the straight lengths, bend angles, and rotation between each bend. The very nature of assembling sections of tube into structures introduces a 3-dimensional aspect that needs to be controlled. Applications vary wherein the desired final structure of tubing containing bends needs be coplanar; other times, not. To date there is no device that measures bends, indicating accurate and precise degrees of angle while determining the centerline length of bent section simultaneously, and, planes tangent to the outer circumference of any of the tubes creating the structure. What's more, a device that indicates rotational lines along the straight sections of tube to be fitted with pre-bent sections. Additionally, the device allows for precise bending and fitting measurements to be transcribed onto tube to be bent and cut as per the device's function.