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View Full Version : My UCCNC Probe Screen version 4 is available now



A_Camera
30-06-2021, 12:41 PM
Some years ago I created a screen set to be able to probe in a more user friendly way than it was possible with UCCNC. It contained a special probe screen and some macros. This stopped working some time ago and that happened without me noticing it, because I don't install every version. The problem been pointed out to me by some users, and after verifying I investigated the cause, which turned out to be due to some changes made in the UCCNC software. The reason was that my screen elements collided with some of the newer UCCNC screen elements, so the Probe screen got messed up. This weekend I managed to find time and fix this, so any of you interested in, or using my Probe screen can download the new, version 4 and install it. It has been tested with my UC300ETH 5LPT controller only, since that is the only one I have, but the screen and the functions are completely independent of the controller, so regardless which one you are using, you can download, install and set up for your machine.

The zipped file contains a user guide also, and that is all the support I am providing. I can not promise any other type of support or help with the installation I made a video some time ago about how to install version 3, and the installation procedure is still the same. The user manual describes the installation, configuration and the use, so if you follow my manual to the letter then you should have no problems. I tested the manual several times, but it is important that it is followed to the letter, otherwise the installation will fail and you have to start over. The Probe screen and the macros don't change any of your UCCNC parameters, so you don't have to worry about that, but it is generally a good practice to take backup before start, so I advise you to do that.

Watch this video for how to install:


https://youtu.be/1g45h-4DVtU

In the video comments you will see instructions on where to find out more about it.

The later version of UCCNC contains a probe feature, but personally I prefer my own since I think it is simpler to use and actually fits my needs better.

Good luck and enjoy.

JAZZCNC
30-06-2021, 10:07 PM
I don't see a download link to the files.?

the great waldo
30-06-2021, 10:28 PM
Hi Dean

Here's the link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jkz8lAx-H69ugspRS_sUoSQ56FR_xFwb/view?usp=sharing

It's on his blogspot.
Cheers
Andrew

A_Camera
02-07-2021, 04:59 PM
Just to inform those who are interested, a friend of mine installed this on his brand new machine, he followed the manual to the letter and got it working without any issues. He is not a computer expert and is new to UCCNC, he just used my manual. This was his first time, so unlike me, he installation was a very good test of my manual. I was not there, so I did not help or gave any other hints than "read and follow the manual and you should be fine." He did not call for help, but a half an hour after he received the files he sent me a text message with a short video and a happy face, saying that it worked fine. He uses UC100 on his machine, but the Probe screen and macros are not dependent on the hardware. Never the less, it is good to know that I did not mess up anything.

JAZZCNC
24-07-2021, 06:48 PM
A_Camera just want to say thank you for the Probe screen, I haven't used it yet as a probe screen but I have looked at the macro's and the structure of your coding.

I am new to UCCNC macro's and after 20+ years using Mach3 and not being a programmer it's good to see how a Pro goes about it and it really shows. I've looked at 1000's of macros over the years and very few have been so well commented as yours.

I did look for a donate button on your Blog but couldn't see one, if you have one please link to it as I think anyone who puts so much work into something and gives it away should get a little back so i would gladly donate.

Thank's..:thumsup:

Voicecoil
25-07-2021, 10:18 AM
Thanks for that A_Camera, I'll give it a try next week. I was doing a job last week where I had to probe some holes internally to find the centres and found the UCCNC probing not the most intuitive shall we say.

A_Camera
26-07-2021, 03:05 PM
A_Camera just want to say thank you for the Probe screen, I haven't used it yet as a probe screen but I have looked at the macro's and the structure of your coding.

I am new to UCCNC macro's and after 20+ years using Mach3 and not being a programmer it's good to see how a Pro goes about it and it really shows. I've looked at 1000's of macros over the years and very few have been so well commented as yours.

I did look for a donate button on your Blog but couldn't see one, if you have one please link to it as I think anyone who puts so much work into something and gives it away should get a little back so i would gladly donate.

Thank's..:thumsup:

Thank you very much for your kind words. I do have 40 years of work experience related to firmware, hardware, software development and everything around that area, but perhaps that's not the only reason for spending time on documenting and commenting. I think the main reason is that I always worked in safety critical environments, which requires testing and documentation, so I kind of matured and been brought up to understand that it is important. Very early in my career I realized that any idea of believing that "this code is so simple, any idiot understands it" is nonsense. Even I need help with my own code a few weeks after it's written... :whistle: so I have a habit of even commenting code which I only use once and never give away. Anyway, I appreciate your comments.

Regarding the donate possibilities, I had that for a few years but then decided to remove it because it gave me exactly zero. I know it is working for some people and organizations, but it did not work for me. Nevertheless, once again I added the Donate button.

Anyway, I hope you find my probe macros and screen useful, but be careful, test your own settings and all the functions before using an expensive probe. Even I make mistakes some times and occasionally crash into the table or the work piece, so care must be taken, especially with the more complex functions, like centre or corner finding. It is important that the configuration is done correctly.

A_Camera
26-07-2021, 03:11 PM
Thanks for that A_Camera, I'll give it a try next week. I was doing a job last week where I had to probe some holes internally to find the centres and found the UCCNC probing not the most intuitive shall we say.

Good luck. I hope you'll like it. Be careful, dry run first before use to make sure you understand how it is behaving and why. If you set it up wrong you may crash the probe and cause damage.

Yes, I agree, the UCCNC probe is not that intuitive, in my opinion, and for my needs, it is overcomplicated. When I released the first version there was nothing in UCCNC, but now there is one there also, which I think is good, but I wish it was more intuitive.

A_Camera
29-07-2021, 08:50 AM
Thank you Jazz. My phone buzzed just a minute before I went to bed last night... :beer: I appreciate your contribution and comments above.

Cube3
27-02-2022, 09:56 PM
Hi,
I am having some trouble with probing. I installed today everything looks fine after install instructions.
Do you have any information on the correct start position and axis travel sequence?

If I do an X plus probe. The probe travels with an X positive move (fast probe speed), stops, then fast probe for maybe further 2 millimetres then I think resets X DRO and then a slow move going negative. Fast move to positive 6mm

The z probe works fine.

Plate thk =0
Probe dia =2
Probing size =50
Fixture clear =5
Fast probing =150
Fine probing =50
Probing depth =-3

Controller AXBB, UCCNC 1.2113
Any help appreciated
Regards Simon

Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk

dazp1976
27-02-2022, 11:42 PM
Thank you Jazz. My phone buzzed just a minute before I went to bed last night... :beer: I appreciate your contribution and comments above.

All we need now is an ATC screen with image of a carousel, L, R + spin buttons, draw clamp I/O, and anything else that's needed or can be thought of. :wink:

JAZZCNC
28-02-2022, 08:53 PM
All we need now is an ATC screen with image of a carousel, L, R + spin buttons, draw clamp I/O, and anything else that's needed or can be thought of. :wink:

Why do you need that.? The amount of work involved is massive and the reality is when using the machine that none of this is seen or needed.
The tool offset screen tells you everything you need to know about the tool and on the main screen, all you need to see is the current tool number, tool offset, diameter offset, Next tool, and if using a carousel type the pocket that is lined up with the spindle.

A_Camera
01-03-2022, 10:35 AM
Hi,
I am having some trouble with probing. I installed today everything looks fine after install instructions.
Do you have any information on the correct start position and axis travel sequence?

If I do an X plus probe. The probe travels with an X positive move (fast probe speed), stops, then fast probe for maybe further 2 millimetres then I think resets X DRO and then a slow move going negative. Fast move to positive 6mm

The z probe works fine.

Plate thk =0
Probe dia =2
Probing size =50
Fixture clear =5
Fast probing =150
Fine probing =50
Probing depth =-3

Controller AXBB, UCCNC 1.2113
Any help appreciated
Regards Simon



Hi,

I am sorry, I can't test it with AXBB since I only have the UC300ETH, but I know people who are using it, so it works. Please list all your parameters and I can test it with my machine. For example, the X + probing uses Plate thickness, Probe diameter, Probing size, X and Y retract, Fast probing and the Fine probing parameters. I think that each parameter is clearly explained in the manual, but if something is unclear, I'll explain in different words if I can. Regarding the general principle, what should happen in your X plus probing case is the following.

When you push the X+ button the movement starts in X positive direction at Fast probing speed. When the tip touches the probed surface, it will retract using G0 command at your machines maximum speed to 5% of the the X Y retract position. This means that if your X Y retract is not set properly then the movement may not be enough for proper second probing. Even using too high Fast probing value may cause problems because your machine may not stop in time and may overshoot too much. Decrease the Fast probing speed, it may help. After the first probing and that reverse movement, the probe will slowly move again towards the X positive direction. The speed of that move is the same as given by the Fine probing value. Once that is done, the probe will retract to X and Y retract position. The movements you describe is not something I recognize and don't know what's causing it. Fast probing is done once, and after that one fine probing, unless Fine probing is set to zero, in which case probing is done only once at the Fast probing speed.

The default values are set for a rigid probing using a simple plate. Normally that works, but it is important that the parameters are tested, understood and configured properly, otherwise your tip may be broken, or driven into the material, or cause other damages.

When I test, I normally test in the air just to make sure that movements are safe and are made in the direction I expect to avoid accidents. I think that it is important because an accident can be expensive, especially if you are using a fancy expensive 3D probe. In fact, I have just recently bought a 3D probe, which is not the most expensive one, but expensive enough to care about it. I am also about to make and release a video about it, so perhaps I'll add a few clips with some examples also before I publish it.

Please note that I have not tested it with the latest version of UCCNC, only with 1.2111. I will also not test it until I find need for changing version. CNC Drive have once again made a huge design change in version 1.2113 and I have no time or interest in testing that version now.

A_Camera
01-03-2022, 10:39 AM
All we need now is an ATC screen with image of a carousel, L, R + spin buttons, draw clamp I/O, and anything else that's needed or can be thought of. :wink:

Good luck, it's your turn to do it. I will never have an ATC on my machine since I have no need for it, nor is my machine big enough for that. If I ever change or add anything, it will be for my DIY lathe, but currently no real plans for that.

Cube3
01-03-2022, 05:41 PM
Thank you for the explanation. Here is a quick video of the travel

https://youtube.com/shorts/GckmmolOtvo?feature=share

Hopefully you can see the settings. I tried quite a few settings with no change in travel directions

I am now going to install 1.2111 and try that.

Regards Simon https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220301/c42819d8ba440b2de97065343474a8d1.jpg

Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk

A_Camera
01-03-2022, 07:35 PM
Thank you for the explanation. Here is a quick video of the travel

https://youtube.com/shorts/GckmmolOtvo?feature=share

Hopefully you can see the settings. I tried quite a few settings with no change in travel directions

I am now going to install 1.2111 and try that.

Regards Simon https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220301/c42819d8ba440b2de97065343474a8d1.jpg

Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk

No, I can't see your settings, but I can see that your machine, or probe, seems to be faulty, because you are probing very slow, but the machine just keeps going and bending your probe. Something is definitely seriously wrong, or configured the wrong way. Please read my manual once again, and if you want me to do do a quick test, please LIST the parameters as a text. I hope you don't expect me to capture that information, take notes and so on... AND help you also. I really don't have time, unless YOU make some efforts.

BTW, just like I said before, DON'T run the probing against any hard surface, unless you KNOW 100% that everything is fine. This way you are going to break something, and I am not responsible for that damage. Run your tests in the air, touching your finger, not a hard surface, until you know it's working as you would expect.

Cube3
01-03-2022, 08:10 PM
I don't want to be a pain for you, I understand that you haven't signed up for never ending support. I am sorry about the image quality of the settings, the upload failed at the other two resolution settings.

I am probing slowly so I can see what's going on. I am probing against a small steel block resting on a foam block. If it goes wrong it either moves the block or plunges into foam.

Later tonight I will try 1.2111

Now that you've told me about the desired axis travel I know what to look for. I can hopefully trouble shoot from here. The curiosity is that the Z height probing works fine.

Thank you

Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk

A_Camera
01-03-2022, 08:50 PM
Tonight I made a quick video showing the X+ direction probing, and also finding the center of a hole. If your machine does not behave like this then something is wrong with your configuration, the probe or your connections.


https://youtu.be/0ierl0PXnSc

Watch this video for how your probing should look like.

Cube3
01-03-2022, 11:33 PM
Hello,

So good news, bad news. I loaded the probing screen and macros to 1.2111 The install went fine but the odd behaviour is the same as 1.2113. It looks like my issue is not UCCNC Version related.
Settings used in the following video.
PT 0
PD 2
PS 10
FC 8
XY R 20
FP 100
FnP 20
PDp - 3

Units mm

The probe is on Pin 2 Port 2 Active high
Diag Page shows
I2 on. Led off in i/o function monitor
Trigger probe and
I2 off Led on in i/o function monitor
Nothing shown in Status monitor

The video shows 3 probe routines one after the other. Z height, X plus, and X Center.

https://youtube.com/shorts/qKcTbbINDEE?feature=share

I suppose I should start to break the issue down, check the UCCNC set up, probe settings, then try some simple probe moves!

Can anyone suggest a check for the probe wiring and UCCNC Settings?

Simon

Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk

A_Camera
02-03-2022, 07:56 AM
Hello,

So good news, bad news. I loaded the probing screen and macros to 1.2111 The install went fine but the odd behaviour is the same as 1.2113. It looks like my issue is not UCCNC Version related.
Settings used in the following video.
PT 0
PD 2
PS 10
FC 8
XY R 20
FP 100
FnP 20
PDp - 3

Units mm

The probe is on Pin 2 Port 2 Active high
Diag Page shows
I2 on. Led off in i/o function monitor
Trigger probe and
I2 off Led on in i/o function monitor
Nothing shown in Status monitor

The video shows 3 probe routines one after the other. Z height, X plus, and X Center.

https://youtube.com/shorts/qKcTbbINDEE?feature=share

I suppose I should start to break the issue down, check the UCCNC set up, probe settings, then try some simple probe moves!

Can anyone suggest a check for the probe wiring and UCCNC Settings?

Simon

Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk

It is clear that something is seriously wrong with your installation. I can't immediately see anything wrong with your parameters, but I will try the same parameters tonight and try the same settings. Anyway, I think you should STOP using my probe screen until you figured out the problem, which I am pretty sure is hardware, wiring, or UCCNC configuration related. You MUST follow my advice and use your fingers to verify the functions and the probe you are using. I don't know what sort of probe it is, how it is installed / wired, and how it supposed to be installed / wired. I can't see anything in that video, other than just like I said before, your machine is not stopping when the probe is pushed against the surface. Maybe it is because the contact indicating the touch needs more force, and maybe because those blocks are pushed away, along the direction of the move, the touching force is not activating it. When you probe the Z, the problem is gone because the block you are probing can't be pushed into the table. But once again, verify the function using your fingers to prevent damage.

Another thing, X and Y retract parameter MUST be smaller than the gap between those blocks. In your video it looks like the gap is smaller than 20 mm, i.e. move the blocks and make sure the distance between them is larger than 20 mm.

Also, you must verify that the probe is wired right and that the input is triggered when you wiggle the tip of the probe in ANY direction. You can do that without any movement, just touch the tip and check the input using UCCNC diagnostic screen. I am more and more suspecting that your probe is the cause of the problem, but that's just a gut feeling. I think it needs a LOT of horizontal force to trip it, a lot more than you think. Verify this with your finger tip, What sort of probe is that? Who made it and how does the internal design looks like? How is the trigger mechanism working? What is it based on? Do you have a link to that?

Edit:

OK, I have now tested with your parameters and it works just fine for me. Tested Z Tool Height, X center and X+ probing, no problems at all.

m.i.k.e
02-03-2022, 06:17 PM
I may be wrong but when the probe first touches the block it sounds as though it pauses for a fraction of a second and then carries on in the same direction instead of reversing.

Cube3
02-03-2022, 08:50 PM
I have measured the force on my probe and the normally closed circuit opens at 25 grams.
I was going to do a few G31 commands in MDI to see what happened but decided to check out the UCCNC probing page just as a check of my set up. I am not a huge fan of it because I find it too easy to probe the wrong axis. Anyway the video belows shows its single axis probing cycle acts as expected.

https://youtube.com/shorts/JtA8sqNOW3o?feature=share

It would have been nice to use your, far less confusing screen but for some reasons the stars are not lining up for me. Thanks for your help and patience.

Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk

A_Camera
02-03-2022, 09:51 PM
Ok. Whatever it is, it is not my macros, that's for sure. You draw the wrong conclusion. Far too many people manage to use it, and you are the first who fails. On the other hand, you did not answered my questions or made any effort in finding the real cause of the problem. For my own part, this was just waste of time. I hate unfinished work, but understand that you don't care.

A_Camera
02-03-2022, 10:09 PM
I may be wrong but when the probe first touches the block it sounds as though it pauses for a fraction of a second and then carries on in the same direction instead of reversing.

Yes, and that can only happen if there are wiring issues or if the axis got stuck for a fraction of a second and then continues. There is simply no way that that's caused by my probe macros, especially since I tested on mine with identical parameters. Obviously he made some changes, now his probe is higher up, not dragging the wires, and the probing distance is different... and so on. UCCNC uses G31 to probe and the movement stops automatically by UCCNC when the input is triggered. Same as my macros in that aspect.

Cube3
02-03-2022, 10:19 PM
Well I didn't expect you to take that attitude. I think I was polite and understood its not really your problem to fix my set up.
I showed you what I saw, tried to explain the travel I was seeing. May be I should have been a little clearer in my descriptions.
My probe is not flaky and as far as I can tell from the diagnostics page it's fine and accurate enough.
I swap between your probing screen UCCNC's, UCCNC works fine and yours doesn't. Unless you have something constructive to add I think we should leave this as unsolved.
Regards
Simon


Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk

A_Camera
03-03-2022, 07:02 AM
Well I didn't expect you to take that attitude. I think I was polite and understood its not really your problem to fix my set up.
I showed you what I saw, tried to explain the travel I was seeing. May be I should have been a little clearer in my descriptions.
My probe is not flaky and as far as I can tell from the diagnostics page it's fine and accurate enough.
I swap between your probing screen UCCNC's, UCCNC works fine and yours doesn't. Unless you have something constructive to add I think we should leave this as unsolved.
Regards
Simon


Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk

I should have realized earlier that you were not interested in helping to find the cause of the problem just to find a quick fix. So of course, after spending several hours trying to give you support and solve YOUR problems, I am a bit frustrated.