Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: enytned1 on September 25, 2006, 07:10:01 PM

Title: Setting Home and limits
Post by: enytned1 on September 25, 2006, 07:10:01 PM
Hello,
I have been using my router with only limits setup.  I'm trying to setup so that Mach3 will use one of the limit switches on each axis as a home switch.  I have two limit switches on each axis. For X-axis, I setup in series the + and - limits as one. the same goes for the Y and Z axis.  I have a rotary axis without any limits.  When I home the X-axis the head moves towards the limit/home and it hits the limit. Then it keeps trying to move farther hitting the physical end of the machine.  I have tried to change the debounce from 0 to 500, 1500, 2000 but it does not change anything.  In the Diagnostic page when I touch one of the limits it lights the LIMITOV LED.  What am I going wrong?  Any help would be appreciated.


The signal inputs I setup as follows:
X++       Pin#11
X--         Pin#11
X home  Pin#11
Y++       Pin#12
Y--         Pin#12
Y home  Pin#12
Z++       Pin#13
Z--         Pin#13
Z home  Pin#13

Title: Re: Setting Home and limits
Post by: allanjs on September 26, 2006, 03:00:27 AM
enytned1,

I'm not sure how this is suppose to work but have you checked the enable fields
in the ports & pins input signals for your switches. You may also want to try to
change the active low to active high or visa-versa. Also in the config state, I would
think the Home Sw Safety box should be checked.
Maybe this will help.

Al
Title: Re: Setting Home and limits
Post by: Brian Barker on September 26, 2006, 06:52:54 AM
That should work... could you post your XML so we can have a look at your settings?
Title: Re: Setting Home and limits
Post by: enytned1 on September 26, 2006, 08:19:54 AM
I will post the XML file when I get home from work.  The limits switches work fine, when the heads move to far and hit the limit it always stops on all the limit switches. 
Title: Re: Setting Home and limits
Post by: enytned1 on September 26, 2006, 08:34:47 AM
I don't remember if I checked the config/state Home Sw Safety box.  I was not even aware that this box had to be checked.  From reading about this check box I think it is very important when setting the limits and home as the same.  Thank you for the suggestion.
Title: Re: Setting Home and limits
Post by: enytned1 on September 26, 2006, 06:18:06 PM
Here is my XML file, Mill options settings and Initial State Settings.
Title: Re: Setting Home and limits
Post by: enytned1 on September 26, 2006, 06:19:03 PM
Here is the Initial State settings and Mill options.
Title: Re: Setting Home and limits
Post by: Chip on September 26, 2006, 08:34:43 PM
Hi, Enytned1

Downloaded your XML, In your Mach3 folder you'll find a file called LastErrors.txt it has your error for last run it shows as follows.

Tue - 19:05:02 ---Program Startup
Tue - 19:05:12 ---Softlimits Max < Min--------------This is probily causing your problem.

After I changed settings, Changed, Z max to 6.00, Z min 0.00, Checked the Home neg for X, Y in Config HomeLinits.

Tue - 19:17:59 ---Program Startup
Tue - 19:18:05 ---

If your axis X, Y, Z,  move backward's, check the Reversed  in HomeLimitsr for them.

Not nowing how you have your machine set up.

Most Machine's are set - up with  Home, Spindle Up Z+, the left front edge of table X-, Y-, under spindle, X being left to right and Y forward  and aft.

Hear is a XML file to try.

Hope this Help's Chip

Title: Re: Setting Home and limits
Post by: enytned1 on September 26, 2006, 10:06:39 PM
The machine I have is an old Techno isel Model27 gantry system 3 router.  Manufactured in 1997 from what I was told when I bought it and it was not working when I picked it up.  It has 6 limit switches 2 on each axis connected in series.  The machine did not come with techno control software or the cards.  I am actually glad it does not have the original software because it gave me a chance to install this great software from Mach and actually have a greater understanding of the industry.  I not sure but Techno must use one of the limits as a home on each axis.  What should be the step by step procedure in setting up one limit on each axis as a home for this king of router?

Link below is what I have only 10 older:
http://www.techno-isel.com/CNC_Routers/CNCRouter_B2.htm
Title: Re: Setting Home and limits
Post by: Chip on September 26, 2006, 10:25:40 PM
Hi, Enytned1

You probably still need to fix the error,
Tue - 19:05:02 ---Program Startup
Tue - 19:05:12 ---Softlimits Max < Min--------------This is probity causing your problem.

In Config, Ports Pins, Input Signals, set X Home, Enable, Port 1 Pin # 10 or 15 ...... you don't have enough pins for all Axis's with out adding another Parrell port.

It will work if you set it up properly the way it is now.

Thank's Chip
Title: Re: Setting Home and limits
Post by: Chip on September 26, 2006, 11:24:13 PM
Hi, Enytned1

If You put all 6 Limit switches in series you can use 1 Pin for all including Home when Mach is setup rite.

I have a Dayton Router 4 X 8 gantry, all switche's on one pin.

Thank's Chip
Title: Re: Setting Home and limits
Post by: enytned1 on September 26, 2006, 11:49:35 PM
I downloaded the updated file that you said would work.  I just slammed into the physical end of my axes.  What ever you did it certainly did not help.  I can't continue like this.  I was doing some testing in the diagnosis page and when I press the ref Y button, as the y is moving towards the front i press the limit switch but the axis continues moving toward the switch.  But when I'm just jogging to each limit switch it stops as it should on all axis and directions.  May be I will try connecting them all together in series.  I'm going to bed.
Title: Re: Setting Home and limits
Post by: Chip on September 27, 2006, 01:26:29 AM
Hi, Enytned1

There is one thing that can cause this. You probably have the pins setup wrong, With limit's, mach is looking for any limit to trip, in Homing it

is looking at the Axis that is homing, X pin 11, Y pin 12, Z pin 13.

Changing the switches to All in Series will fix Above Just make sure you change all the Config, Ports and Pins, Input Signals, to the proper Pin #.

I didn't change any of your feeds or speeds set the Axis's in mid Pos set the Feed Rate to 1, click on F Window, it will lite up type in 1 hit enter.

This will set feed to 1 inch feed rate. You can simulate the switch manually.

The spacebar, feed hold, stop, reset, all will stop it if it gets out of hand.

I sent you an off list Message give me a call if any Questions.

Thank's Chip

 
Title: Re: Setting Home and limits
Post by: Brian Barker on September 27, 2006, 07:10:50 AM
Sorry I was up to my ears in code that I was working on :)

Could you set up all the home inputs on one pin all the limits on the other? Also when you are testing set your home speed to like 2% and that will give you time to stop the machine.

Hope that helps
Brian
Title: Re: Setting Home and limits
Post by: enytned1 on October 04, 2006, 10:56:49 PM
I reconnected all the limit switches to run of one input in series.  Then I configured all the home switches on the same pin as the limits.  I then adjusted the direction for home and every thing is working the way I wanted.  I have all limits and home inputs using one pin, which leaves all the other input pins free for other functions.  Thanks again to everyone for your suggestions.   
Title: Re: Setting Home and limits
Post by: Chip on October 04, 2006, 11:42:55 PM
Hi, Enytned1

< And every thing is working the way I wanted. >

Ok, get back to cut-------ing, WooooHoooooooooo

Chip