reset home with G code

[gotswrv]

Hello all,
I'm a newbie to Mach 3 but have been very impressed. I am a toolmaker, and have some experience with CNC mills and lathes. So far Mach 3 has been awsome, love being able to tailor everything.

I recently started working on building a 4x4x3' hot wire machine and also purchased a 2x1'x4" router. Programming is being done with Featurecam and/or Mastercam as these are what we use at work. So far there is one thing I would like to do that I cannot figure out...

How can I make the machines reset home position after every run? I would like this to be done with a G-code command that I can just put into the post.

Thanks,
Sam

[Chip]

Hi, Sam

Put 

G00 Z0
G00 X0 Y0
M30

Before the M30 in your G-code files should do it.

Chip

[ger21]

G00 Z1 might be better.

However, if you want the machine to actually home to home switches, use G28.

[gotswrv]

Thanks Chip,
Maybe I wasn't very clear, I am not trying to return to current machine zeros. I would like to have it reset zero, or home the axis. Ahh, let me see, okay, "ref all home" is the button that I would like to be auto pressed by calling a code.
Pretty sure what you suggested is a G28, assuming home position being zeros.

I would like to know if there is a way to reference all homes at the end of a program automatically. If not already in Mach3, is it possible to create a macro thing? I don't know anything about macros, but if needed I'll learn. I can see myself calling on something like this even throughout a program just to keep everything honest.

Thanks again for the help!
Sam

[ger21]

G28 will home the machine, and if you add coordinates to the G28, it'll rapid to those coordinates before homing.

G28 X1 Y1

[Chip]

Hi, Sam

If I understand, Your code finishes X## Y## Z## and you want to Zero the DRO's at there current position with G-code or M-code. ?

The attached Macro, M2500.M1S will do this for you.

You need to put it in your Macro folder for the Profile your loaded at startup. Example: C:\Mach3Mill\Macros\Mach3Mill.

Add the M2500 in as below, In your G-code file.

N255  X2.0380  Y1.1590   
N260 G0  Z1.0000
M2500
M30
%

It can be changed as needed, It's just some DoOEMButton,s 1010, 1009, 1008, z,y,x, Same as Pushing the Zero X,Y,Z, Buttons.

Let Us Now, Chip

[gotswrv]

Okay now I'm getting confused. I thought G28 would send the machine to the taught home, usually 0,0,0 for me. I would like to teach the machine it's home by touching off the limits with the G/M-code, so that at a tool change or during a long run it can check up on itself, atleast after each run. I'm not at the machine right now, but I thought that is what "ref all home" was doing for me, now I cannot be sure. Am I all messed up here??? Also wondering if it is possible to do this in program or will it freak things out.

Maybe I can free up some time today at work and study up on macros and look at the one you provided. If not I'll get to it tonight.

Thanks again,
Sam

[Chip]

Hi, Sam

It's now a little clearer, Ref All Home will reset your Dro's to zero, I think a Macro to send to home position might work.

I'll think on it, Maybe someone will comment further.

Thanks, Chip 

[ger21]

Just read the manual's section on G28, it should explain it for you.

[gotswrv]

Section 5.6.1.4 right.?. I'm reading...
Reads (to me) that commanding a G28 will return the machine to the G28 location as defined in the "Motor Home/Softlimits" (5.6.1.1 in the manual).

I think Chip is following me now, sorry I cannot explain better.

thanks,
Sam