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13-03-2014 #1
Click, click, durr
http://www.homemetalshopclub.org/new...ation_1202.pdfLast edited by cropwell; 13-03-2014 at 11:25 AM. Reason: more info
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The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to cropwell For This Useful Post:
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13-03-2014 #2
For 3D work these probes are great and inverting the signal is easy enough but just for every day use for setting Z height etc then it becomes a pain swapping out the probe.
Like I say it depends on what your wanting to do and how you use your machine.
For instance routers tend not have tool holders that can be set off the machine so can't use tool offsets. In this case the simple touch plate is great because you fit the tool and probe with the tool for each tool change. You can also use the tool for finding edges etc by putting plate between if non conductive material.
Mill's on the other hand tend to work with holders and can use tool offset's so after initial setting of material height the touch plate isn't so important. It can still be used for edge finding etc same as above.
So IME I find the plate much more useful than the 3D probe. It is possible to permantly fit and offset the 3D probe but would need careful setup and offsets applied thru scripts etc so not exactly simple.
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17-03-2014 #3
Hi Guys,
I am back again in need of a bit more help on a zero out tool come edge finder.Thanks very much for the help already. Here is a pic of a male connector I wantto use it is 6 pin male, I have the female in my control box wired up.
I was thinking of using a banana plug as suggested, I hope that would allow meto switch between tools physically and when using mach 3.
I am stuck on what spec wire to use and is single core suitable?
Also can some help me write a macro or point me in the right direction? I wouldnot now where to start. I am still trying to learn the G code! I have got mymill going well I am cautiously cutting squares in a piece of Perspex.
I look forward to seeing what you guys can help me with as I know you give goodadvice.
Many thanks
Suesi
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17-03-2014 #4
Don't use single core, it'll fracture eventually. Depending on how many cores you need, any lightweight signal cable/hookup wire will suffice, 7/0.2 or 16/0.2 (strands/cross-section in mm^2), or bit of overkill, some spare CY.
Last edited by irving2008; 17-03-2014 at 08:07 PM.
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17-03-2014 #5
The wire I use (simply because I had it spare) is a grounding wire from an anti-static wrist strap. It has a banana plug pre-moulded on it and is the extra-flex type with a very flexible silicone rubber sheath. If you make a tool height setting block, let me know and I will send you the Mach3 Macro and some instructions on how to adapt it for your own needs. I did not write the macro, just furtled it a bit. I might just post it on the forum, but don't hold your breath, I've never been so busy since I retired.
.
BTW, you need to check that the tool in the spindle connects through to ground on the BOB, otherwise you will need to put a croc clip on it with a connection to the BOB ground.
.
Cheers,
Rob
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17-03-2014 #6
Hi irving2008,
Many thanks for the reply I have goggled CY cable so OK there thanks. The thingis how do I determine how many core I need. I am sorry if I misunderstandmatters but do you mean don’t use a single core cable for strength reasons,perhaps I still use just one cable core for the circuit?
Many thanks
Kind regards
Suesi
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17-03-2014 #7
If you only need one connection you need use only 1 core of a multicore like CY. The confusion comes from the loose use of the word 'core'. Technically 'single core' means 1 wire, stranded or solid. if its solid its 1 strand, so you can have multi-cored solid cable (phone cable being a good example) which is fine for static use.
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17-03-2014 #8
Hi irving, thank you for your msg. I think I see what you mean about stranded and single core. I just need to find out how many conections I need to make in the male plug.
Many thanks
Suesi
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18-03-2014 #9
If I understand what you're proposing you only need 1 connection so you need only wire up one core of a multi-core cable, however I'd do at least 2 for resilience. In this situation I'd use a cable that fits the cable restraints in the connector for mechanical stability. I only suggested CY if you had some left over from wiring up steppers or vfd, I wouldn't buy it specifically for this.
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18-03-2014 #10
Hi,
Have a look at these files.
Copy the code below into your clipboard.
Graphic 1 is the Offsets screen where you put in the plate height, in my case 23.97mm
On the main screen as shown in graphic 2 it shows the drop down 'Operator' and from that list select 'Edit Button Script'
Various buttons on the screen will flash, Click on 'Auto Tool Zero'
a window will open and whatever is in it select it all and paste over it with the clipboard contents from step 1. This is shown below. File, Save and Close the Script window.
'Tool Zero Setting Macro
' Change the following three lines to suit your machine
PlateThickness = GetOEMDRO(1001) ' Thickness of touch plate - leave this line, it is the value in the gage block height
RetractClearance = 10 ' Clearance above touch plate to retract to
ProbeFeed = 20 ' Feedrate to use for probing
' Define some constants
ZDRO = 2 ' Z Axis DRO
AbsoluteModeLED = 48 ' Absolute Coordinate Mode LED
IncrementalModeLED = 49 ' Incremental Coordinate Mode LED
FeedrateDRO = 818 ' OEM code for feedrate DRO
ProbeLED = 825 ' OEM code for probe input LED
ZTouchDRO = 2002 ' OEM code for DRO that holds Z touch position
' Do nothing if probe is already grounded
If GetOemLed(ProbeLED) = 0 Then
' Wait a few seconds for user to get touchplate in place
Code "G4 P2"
' Save current feedrate
CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(FeedrateDRO)
' Save current coordinate mode
AbsMode = GetOemLED(AbsoluteModeLED)
' Set absolute coordinate mode
Code "G90"
' Zero Z DRO
Call SetDro (ZDRO, 0.0000)
' Pause for DRO to update
Code "G4 P0.5"
' Do the touch move
Code "G31 Z-20 F" & ProbeFeed
' Wait for it to complete
While IsMoving()
Wend
' Delay a bit for
Code "G4 P0.25"
' Get the Z position where probe input triggered
ZProbePos = GetVar(ZTouchDRO)
' Go back to touch position (G31 backs off after touch)
Code "G0 Z" & ZProbePos
' Wait for it to complete
While IsMoving ()
Wend
' Set Z DRO to touch plate thickness
Call SetDro (ZDRO, PlateThickness)
' Pause for DRO to update
'Code "G4 P0.5"
' Retract Z to SafeZ, if enabled, else to RetractClearance above plate
If(IsSafeZ() = 1) Then
SafeZ = GetSafeZ
If SafeZ > PlateThickness Then
GotoSafeZ()
End If
Else
RetractHeight = PlateThickness + RetractClearance
Code "G0 Z" & RetractHeight
End If
' Tell user we're done
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed)"
' Reset feedrate to original value
Code "F" & CurrentFeed
' Reset coordinate mode to original value
If AbsMode = 0 Then
Code "G91"
End If
Else
Code "(Z-Plate is grounded, check connection and try again)"
End If
Exit Sub
.............
I have assumed a certain level of knowledge of Mach3 and Windows.
Remember you have the emergency stop if you think it is going wrong when you test.
Best regards,
Rob Townshend
I still remember what it was like when I was first learning Mach3 and CNC
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