z axis not working

[hoopy]

have installed a z axis probe for setting tool height on mach3 tested the connection under diagnostics and the digitise light flashes green to prove contact but when i hit auto tool zero nothing happens
this is the script i got from the internet
the only thing i adjusted was plate thickness to 1.57mm
REM Updated 30 Aug 2018
REM Auto Tool Zero Z- Metric 2 pass Version
REM Based On the BigTex script
REM (09 Feb 2018) Hint added To Material Thickness offset request box.
REM (20 Feb 2018) Request To touch the touch the touchoff plate To the bit To start probing added. Thanks To Glen Higgs For this addition.
REM (27 Jul 2018) Minor changes To Error Handling And Grammer correction
REM (30 Aug 2018) Feedrate override safety Reset And restore added.

PlateThickness = 19.86 'Enter Z-plate thickness here
DownStroke = -100 'Set the down stroke to find probe
DownFeedRate = 250 'Set the down FeedRate
RetractStroke = 10 'Set the retract Stroke
RetractFeedRate = 1000 'Set the retract FeedRate
SmallRetractStroke = 1 'Retract 1mm for a 2nd pass
SmallDownFeedRate = 25 'Set the slow down FeedRate for 2nd pass
SmallDownStroke = -(SmallRetractStroke *2) 'Set down stroke for 2nd pass as twice the retract distance.
CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818) 'Get the current feedrate to return to later
CurrentAbsInc = GetOemLED(48) 'Get the current G90/G91 state
CurrentGmode = GetOemDRO(819) 'Get the current G0/G1 state
CurrentFeedOverride = GetOEMDRO(821)'Get current Feedrate override setting

REM Request Material Thickness offset
Offset = InputBox("Enter Material Thickness offset Hint: To probe from the Spoilboard surface, enter the nominal thickness of the material. Enter '0' or leave blank if probing from the material surface", "Material Offset", "")

REM Touch plate To Cutter To Begin probe.
message "Briefly touch the plate to the bit to start probing for zero."
Touched_Flag = False
count = 40
seconds = 60
For i = 1 To 600
If GetOEMLed(825) <> 0 Then
Beep
Touched_Flag = True
Exit For
End If
count = count - 1
If count = 0 Then ' 1 second elapsed
count = 40
seconds = seconds -1
End If
Sleep 25
Next i
If Touched_Flag = False Then
message "The Auto Zero timed out, no touch detected"
Exit Sub
End If

REM 1st Pass at fast rate

sleep 2000 'give time to remove block from tool and position
REM Code "(Z axis 1st pass)" 'puts this message in the status bar
If GetOemLed (825)=0 Then 'Check to see if the probe is already grounded or faulty
DoOEMButton (1010) 'zero the Z axis so the probe move will start from here
Code "G4 P2" ' this delay gives me time to get from computer to hold probe in place
SetOEMDRO(821,100) 'Reset feedrate overide to 100% for safety
Code "G90 G31 Z" &DownStroke &" F" &DownFeedRate 'probing move
While IsMoving() 'wait while it happens
Wend
ZProbePos = GetVar(2002) 'get the exact point the probe was hit
If Abs(ZprobePos) <= Abs(DownStroke)-0.1 Then 'Check if the probe has been found
Code "G0 Z" &ZProbePos 'go back to that point, always a very small amount of overrun
While IsMoving ()
Wend
Call SetDro (2, 0) 'set the Z axis DRO to whatever is set as plate thickness less the offset value
Code "G4 P0.25" 'Pause for Dro to update.
Code "G1 Z" &SmallRetractStroke &" F" &RetractFeedRate 'retract
While IsMoving ()
Wend
REM Code "(Z axis 2nd pass)" 'puts this message in the status bar
Else
Rem Code "G0 Z0" 'retract to start pos
While IsMoving ()
Wend
Code "(Z-Plate not found, check connection or stroke and try again)" 'puts this message in the status bar
Code "F" &CurrentFeed 'Returns to prior feed rate
If CurrentAbsInc = 0 Then 'if G91 was in effect before then return to it
Code "G91"
End If
If CurrentGMode = 0 Then 'if G0 was in effect before then return to it
Code "G0"
End If
Exit Sub
End If
Else
Code "(Z-Plate is grounded, check connection and try again)" 'this goes in the status bar if aplicable
End If
Code "F" &CurrentFeed 'Returns to prior feed rate
If CurrentAbsInc = 0 Then 'if G91 was in effect before then return to it
Code "G91"
End If
If CurrentGMode = 0 Then 'if G0 was in effect before then return to it
Code "G0"
End If

REM 2nd pass at slow rate

DoOEMButton (1010) 'zero the Z axis so the probe move will start from here
Code "G4 P1" ' this delay gives me time to get from computer to hold probe in place
Code "G90 G31 Z" &SmallDownStroke &" F" &SmallDownFeedRate 'probing move
While IsMoving() 'wait while it happens
Wend
ZProbePos = GetVar(2002) 'get the exact point the probe was hit
If Abs(ZprobePos) <= Abs(SmallDownStroke)-0.1 Then 'Check if the probe has been found
Code "G0 Z" &ZProbePos 'go back to that point, always a very small amount of overrun
While IsMoving ()
Wend
Call SetDro (2, PlateThickness - offset) 'set the Z axis DRO to whatever is set as plate thickness less the offset value
Code "G4 P0.25" 'Pause for Dro to update.
Code "G1 Z" &RetractStroke + PlateThickness &" F" &RetractFeedRate 'retract
While IsMoving ()
Wend
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed)" 'puts this message in the status bar
Else
Code "G0 Z0" 'retract to start pos
While IsMoving ()
Wend
Code "(Z-Plate not found, check connection and try again)" 'puts this message in the status bar
End If
Code "F" &CurrentFeed 'Returns to prior feed rate
SetOEMDRO(821,CurrentFeedOverride) 'Return feedrate override to previous value
If CurrentAbsInc = 0 Then 'if G91 was in effect before then return to it
Code "G91"
End If
If CurrentGMode = 0 Then 'if G0 was in effect before then return to it
Code "G0"
End If
Exit Sub

[Neale]

How have you connected the macro code to the button? Did you edit the button definition?

[hoopy]

As new to this don't no what you mean im using mach3 did adjust input pins to for usb to port 1 and pin1 clicked on the tool button and entered script and saved it
thank you for reply

[phill05]

hoopy this is what I posted a few weeks ago.

In Mach 3 go to Operator down to edit button script click it then go to Auto tool Zero that should be flashing click on it and a Hidden script comes up copy what is in there and save.

This is the code that was running my machine and my friends using a tool touch off plate, you will need to paste into the macro but put your own numbers in then save and shut down.

To save any embarrassment put your touch plate on a block of wood say 50mm high touch off then move the block of wood to one side and "go to Zero" move block back under to check if it okay you might have to make some small adjustments to the figures.

Hope it helps copy the below Phill

'VB Code Start
'-------------------
CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818)
DoSpinStop()

ZMove = 100.00 'Total lenght of Probe to move before Stop or no Contact Made.
ZOffset = 8.60 ' Plate Hight
ZSal = ZOffset + 20.00 '+ Free Hight, Will possition the Proble 20 MM over the Material.

StopZmove = 0
If GetOemLed (825)=0 Then
DoOEMButton (1010)
Code "G4 P2.5"
Code "G31 Z-"& ZMove & "F200"
While IsMoving()
Sleep(200)
Wend
Probepos = GetVar(2002)
If Probepos = - ZMove Then
responce = MsgBox ("**ERROR** " , 4 , "Probe **ERROR**" )
Code "G0 Z10"
StopZmove = 1
Code "F" &CurrentFeed
End If
If StopZmove = 0 Then
Code "G0 Z" & Probepos
While IsMoving ()
Sleep (200)
Wend
Call SetDro (2, ZOffset)
Code "G4 P1"
Code "G0 Z" & ZSal
Code "(Z zeroed)"
Code "F" &CurrentFeed
End If
Else
Code "(Check Ground Probe)"
End If
Exit Sub
'-------------------
'VB Code Stop

[Neale]

Wot he said!

By default, Mach3 provides the button but doesn't have the code behind it. This is usually machine-dependent so there isn't a guaranteed one-size-fits-all piece of code. I suspect that most of the samples that you find on the net are variations are developments of the original and often get tweaked to suit individual requirements.

Phill05 has given you the method of linking the code to the button; your code looks fine but has a few additional checks in it and either would work.

[hoopy]

Hi all tried that when pressing auto tool zero comes back saying (scripter compille error in) Where you have ZOffset = 8.60 ' Plate Hight in put in 1.57

[Neale]

Can you double-check exactly what you put in? You could also try it as it stands (with the 8.60). Things to watch are comma not fullstop/decimal point, letter o not digit 0, letter I not digit 1, extra space in there somewhere it shouldn't be. I only say this because I'm pretty sure I've made all these errors over the years! A mis-type is sometimes difficult to spot.

A useful trick when testing - put your height plate on a block of foam. This gives you the time to react and hit the e-stop if it all goes pear-shaped! For the same reason, for testing, I often use a bit of flat-ended rod (or even a tool in the collet the wrong way round) so you are more likely to stall the machine than drive a tool through the bed. Again, I am ashamed to say I speak from experience...

[hoopy]

here is code a put in
VB Code Start
'-------------------
CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818)
DoSpinStop()

ZMove = 100.00 'Total lenght of Probe to move before Stop or no Contact Made.
ZOffset = 1.57 ' Plate Hight
ZSal = ZOffset + 20.00 '+ Free Hight, Will possition the Proble 20 MM over the Material.

StopZmove = 0
If GetOemLed (825)=0 Then
DoOEMButton (1010)
Code "G4 P2.5"
Code "G31 Z-"& ZMove & "F200"
While IsMoving()
Sleep(200)
Wend
Probepos = GetVar(2002)
If Probepos = - ZMove Then
responce = MsgBox ("**ERROR** " , 4 , "Probe **ERROR**" )
Code "G0 Z10"
StopZmove = 1
Code "F" &CurrentFeed
End If
If StopZmove = 0 Then
Code "G0 Z" & Probepos
While IsMoving ()
Sleep (200)
Wend
Call SetDro (2, ZOffset)
Code "G4 P1"
Code "G0 Z" & ZSal
Code "(Z zeroed)"
Code "F" &CurrentFeed
End If
Else
Code "(Check Ground Probe)"
End If
Exit Sub
'-------------------
'VB Code Stop

[hoopy]

Should digitize be perminatly be on as stated before should it be port3 for usb and on break out board using in 1 pin
as light only goes out when i get contacts to touch then flashes

[phill05]

Not sure what probe you are using but you need to go to "Config" "ports&pins" "input signals" scroll down to "probe" put green tick in you then need Port1 Pin 10 to 13 or15 your choice find pin no on board connect probe wires and test, you might have to go back in and select "active Low".

Then proceed to putting code into hidden scrip macro as I stated above and it should be working and as Neale says make sure no typos or commas in wrong place.

Just re read your last post, Not sure about your last comment "as stated before should it be port3 for usb and on break out board using in 1 pin" don't know where usb comes into this as you should be connecting to B out B.

Phill

[hoopy]

Hi Phill thanks for getting back to me only have pins 1-430617
have put 24v to 24v wire also -V to dcm dcm to one connection for probe attached plate to In1
on configure ports and pin set port to No3 and pin to No1 set active low as well
Kevin

[phill05]

You got me now I don't know that board the only thing I do know is in Mach Probe it states you can only use pins 10,11,12,13, and 15, maybe some one with more knowledge of this usb board will come in to help.

I think you will find Mach 3 will not work very well on usb it seems to be better run on the older Parallel Port boards.

Phill