Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => Mach SDK plugin questions and answers. => Topic started by: Chieffy on October 12, 2013, 07:06:00 PM

Title: Problems with probe set up and use
Post by: Chieffy on October 12, 2013, 07:06:00 PM
New and finally frustrated. I am sure I am missing something simple.

Here goes I installed the probe that came with my unit:

 went to Config  Port and Pins  Input selected auto and it found it 1  13

Next I went into Config Config pugins looking for Probing 3d-digitising-Fenerty-Barker-Version-2.00.046. It wasn't there!

I than checked my Mach3 version number and it was R3.043.022

I was using older version  installed it sometime ago than got sick and never got to set up or use either Mach3 or CNC

So I did what everyone always suggests I update my version to the newest online R3.043.066

Well I didn't realize it but I had to reconfig my Mach3.  Well after getting everything to work as it should . I again reactivated my probe and looked for Probing 3d-digitising-Fenerty-Barker-Version-2.00.046. Still not present.

Still didn't give up I knew I had seen it somewhere so I checked my downstairs computer where I had downloaded and not registered the software and there it was same version as mine had been but with pugin?

I than went into Mach3 folder and Plugins found prog dll application put it on my thumb drive went upstairs and copied it into the plugin file up there

Yes when I went to Config plugins it was there I checked it and it now says Probe right beside Help.

I than go and click on probe a secondary screen comes up under x and y i enter the size of my item(assuming that is what it wants as it has to find center)

I turn off Machine cord and zero x and y axis
I than lower z until it is close to the highest point of material slow jog right down
I go to Diagnostic screen and slowly lower z until the green light comes on under digitization. I do this couple times and zero it just as it makes contact

I than raise tip so probe is not active

my setting in dialog box are:y x axis size of item     3x4 (All inches)
                                          Max grid Incr             tried at 1 default but now .25
                                         Probe depth               .125 deepest part of item
                                         Probe clear                 .05
                                         Probe rate                  60 default don't know what it is?  
                                         diam                          0 read doesn't matter  
                                        z for stuck probe         1.05

I than hit start , move probe shows active, and than finally yes

Probe moves to center stops say seq not complete. I hit reset and it moves does it again and again never completes

When I try inside diameter absolutely nothing happens

Somebody please help!!

Thank

Henry



Figured I had it cased

 
Title: Re: Problems with probe set up and use
Post by: BR549 on October 12, 2013, 08:54:13 PM
That plugin does not work with later versions of Mach3.

If you are lucky you may get it to work with an earlier version.

(;-) TP

Title: Re: Problems with probe set up and use
Post by: Chieffy on October 13, 2013, 02:04:14 AM
Thanks!
Should have posted earlier but tried working through it.

Found a Wizard by A.F. but it appears to only probe in one plane or am I missing something.

I got it to load asked me file name to save to. Thought it was saving gcode of probing  but when I went to run it I got a bad line one message and nothing.

Whats going on, gotta win a little before bedtime,lol

Can anybody recommend a software or plugin for probing. I have an old belt buckle that I want to probe and than copy so I need to be able to probe 3 dimensions(?)

What is involved in my plan? Can I just probe and use probe results to machine or am I over simplifying the process.

Please advice :o
C

Title:
Post by: sebba on October 13, 2013, 03:45:24 AM
For simple probing operations you can use the Blueprobing screenset by BigTex
For advanced probing I recommend (and use) the MSM screenset provided by Calypso Ventures

Sent from my Vodafone 975 using Tapatalk now Free (http://'http://tapatalk.com/m?id=10')
Title: Re: Problems with probe set up and use
Post by: ger21 on October 13, 2013, 08:41:46 AM

Found a Wizard by A.F. but it appears to only probe in one plane or am I missing something.


You're missing something. This is the correct wizard to use, and the only one available as far as I know. It uses what's called a "bed of nails" approach, moving in a grid pattern and probing at each point in the grid. You define the grid density and maximum depth in the wizard.

Quote

I got it to load asked me file name to save to. Thought it was saving gcode of probing  but when I went to run it I got a bad line one message and nothing.


The resulting file from the wizard is just a list of point. You need to convert those points into a 3D model, and create g-code from a 3D CAM program.

Art wrote a program called Machcloud to convert the points to an .stl file, but I can't seem to find a link to it on the website right now.
Title: Re: Problems with probe set up and use
Post by: Ya-Nvr-No on October 13, 2013, 08:49:04 AM
I believe I found it, close to the bottom of the first page of Arts Thread

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,4948.0.html
Title: Re: Problems with probe set up and use
Post by: Chieffy on October 13, 2013, 01:06:16 PM
Well almost there thanks to all for your help!!

Looked at MS screens and downloaded to try, just little afraid ,New Windows. Will have to overcome,lol

Found cloud thanks

Now I just doing  probe of wrench the only prob so far is it shuts down.

Get  error: probe ignore activated at call for prob. 

Assume probe sticking?? Each time I hit reset, toggle probe, hit reset again ,than start and it

runs again for a while.

Any fixes probe new a good quality

Thanks for all your help,  really really appreciated
C
Title: Re: Problems with probe set up and use
Post by: Chieffy on October 13, 2013, 03:50:44 PM
Well looks like I need more help:

I ran wizard and probed small wrench had no issues ran fine. I had saved file as trtragain.txt as somebody mentions you had to type in.txt.

Found file it had txt extension. Open machcloud and opened file all aI got was 2 lines no shape nothing what is going on?

What am I doing wrong

Thanks in advance for your help

C

Ps when I get error message is there anyway of continuing without a space in probing. Tried start from line and typing in line or leaving as is and hitting next line start. Neither work for me!!
Title: Re: Problems with probe set up and use
Post by: ger21 on October 13, 2013, 05:55:22 PM
After you open it in Mach Cloud, click on Mesh > Create Delauney Set. Then you should see a mesh. The go to File > Save as .stl
Title: Re: Problems with probe set up and use
Post by: Chieffy on October 14, 2013, 12:14:49 AM
Once again thanks for your replies:

I still get error: probe ignore activated at call for prob.  I increased distance z travels up between points and it made a difference getting fewer stops , erros, or is that just a coincidence?

Please find attached pic of Mach3 finished probe image and image I finally got on Machcloud.

Does this look right?  I would have thought only points hit would be used to create mesh but it appears complete area was used!

Also Machcloud keeps crashing , is there a newer version.  I am still using winXp Mach3 seems to like it better than 7

I now also saved it as a .stl and yes, here goes now what do I do with it, sure you knew this question was coming ,lol

I feel totally lost, new experience

thanks to you and all other trying to help.

I may be slow but once I get it I got it

C


Title: Re: Problems with probe set up and use
Post by: ger21 on October 14, 2013, 06:37:21 AM
Sounds like your probe is sticking.

Yes, it records all the points, whether it hits something or not.

No, there is no new version of Mach Cloud.

You need a CAM program that can accept .stl files and create g-code. I use MeshCAM.
Title: Re: Problems with probe set up and use
Post by: Chieffy on October 14, 2013, 11:32:57 PM
Hello again Gerry:

Thanks for your help. I downloaded the trial version of the program you suggested. It appears to be very simple may have to bite the bullet and invested in it. I bought Dolphin Cad/Cam, super program for design, but I don't thing it works on probed items. I just emailed Rodney at Dolphin he is  great at replying and if it doesn't work I think I will look at MeshCam, unless you have another program  for me to look at.

I am getting really overwhelmed at what I need to do tin order to probe an item. It would be so nice if there was a software that took you from probing to duplication in one action,lol

As a first time cnc user there appears to be so much to learn Mach3, cad/cam and now cloud, Meshlab and finally Meshcam.

I am open to any suggestion that would make this process easier. Getting to old to learn,lol

Thanks again

C

Title: Re: Problems with probe set up and use
Post by: ger21 on October 15, 2013, 08:29:21 AM
The easiest way to make it simpler is to throw lots of money at it. A good laser scanner with their proprietary software will give much faster and better results, but expect to spend a few thousand dollars.

If you want to duplicate objects with a probe, it's probably going to take a lot of trial and error to get what you want. Depending on what you're trying to duplicate, you may find it easier to model the object in a CAD program. Results will be much more accurate.
Title: Re: Problems with probe set up and use
Post by: Chieffy on October 15, 2013, 02:33:32 PM
Thanks again:

Up most night got image to look pretty good than tried generating code on trail version of  Meshcam and I had no luck. I keep getting error message:-Unknown word where unary operation could beLine 0 .

So new at this all I could thing of doing was deleting line one via edit/notepad in Mach3 but still no luck.

I am almost at the point of giving up on probing for a while.

Have never experienced not grasping a notion or process but I think I have discovered my first experience at it

Thanks for all your help

C
Title: Re: Problems with probe set up and use
Post by: ger21 on October 15, 2013, 03:36:09 PM
Sounds like you may be using an incorrect post in MeshCAM. The error is when you load the g-code in mach3, right?
Title: Re: Problems with probe set up and use
Post by: Chieffy on October 15, 2013, 04:15:28 PM
Thanks for your patients!!!

Yes exactly! Just realized what you meant  and can I be any dumber I saved as *.m instead of Mach3. cn .

Well it now runs a while before stopping so it must be another operator error. I will revisit all my entries and make sure they are correct.

Sorry to waste your time on something so simple as this. Makes good point for stopping when tired or frustrated.

C