Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: ranger90 on August 07, 2014, 10:41:17 AM

Title: Z touch plate, using alternate input
Post by: ranger90 on August 07, 2014, 10:41:17 AM

Hello,

I've had to redo my machine, and my Mach setup. (Long Story)  I've updated to latest version on Mach3 (plus addons)

But I'm to the point where I want to set up my auto zero for my Z. Then I can do my first "air" test cuts.

I want to use the touch plate mechanism, but.. I also want to use an input other than the probe port.

I want to do digitizing with my machine as well... I want my touch plate and my digitizer probe to co-exist on my setup. But if my research is correct, one wants to be active low, and the other active high.  I don't want to go into setup-ports-and-pins, everytime I switch between activities. (cause I know I'll forget, and bugger something).

I've got the BOB wired, so I'm OK there.

I need an auto zero VB script that will use on of the generic input (say input 1) instead of the "Digitizing" input.

Thank-you in advance...

Title: Re: Z touch plate, using alternate input
Post by: ger21 on August 07, 2014, 11:37:51 AM

Use a Brain to trigger the Probe input.
For Example:

Setup the Probe as Input 1, and the Auto Zero as Input 2.
Create a brain to trigger the Probe input whenever Input1 or Input 2 are active.

Do not use the Probe input, or the Brain won't work correctly, from my experience.

Title: Re: Z touch plate, using alternate input
Post by: ranger90 on August 08, 2014, 08:56:37 AM

The Brain did the trick.. thank-you.

The Brain is pretty simple. The two inputs are Input 1 and Input 2.  Each has a "no operation" lobe. This passes the setting on.. The next lobe is a "OR" operation of the previous two lobes.  And then it terminates with setting the "Probe" signal. I then went into ports and pins config, and disabled the probe input. I might not need the "no operation" lobes, but it works, I'm not going to go back and futz with it.

It works a treat.

The cool part now, is once I start to digitizing, I can zero out the digitizing probe with the same auto zero routine. My metal touch place is 1/8" thick, by putting a piece of scrap between the object and the digitizer probe, I can zero it out.  That should save me  some digitizing time because the Z won't have to travel as far.


Thank-you again....

Title: Re: Z touch plate, using alternate input
Post by: RUCNC on January 11, 2017, 10:13:34 PM

hello there ranger and ger,
can you please take a screen shot of what the brain would look like. i am trying to do the exact same thing.

thanks much