Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: leversole on March 12, 2016, 10:09:48 PM

Title: Z axis acting up
Post by: leversole on March 12, 2016, 10:09:48 PM

My first full day with the Gecko540 and Mach3...things were great until I loaded a file with a tool change...the Z touch macro works fine UNTIL the second tool change (not the first one at the beginning of the file)...after the second plate touch off on the Z, the Z axis moves up (away from the work) and cuts air...at this point I stop the cut and try and re touch off the Z, it runs up and crashes at the top...does it every time, it is repeatable, I cannot figure out what is wrong...I made a small file with a single line, then tool change, another single line, it screws up all of the time on the second tool change (and Z touch off)...I jacked with it for several hours, cannot find anything wrong...

I have attached my xml, the macro for touch off, and a simple file that screws up on the second tool change...

I hope someone can help!

Title: Re: Z axis acting up
Post by: leversole on March 13, 2016, 09:40:09 AM

Another "self inflicted wound"! I could write a manual on such things!!!

I thought this morning I would type in the Gcode line by line and try and figure out WTF (why!) the Z axis was too high wrong direction and cutting air) after a tool change...hmmmm...what's this?!? G43H4?!? What does this do? I am not familiar with G43? Tool length compensation?!? I have not matched my vcarve tool table with Mach3 yet, BUT, the tool it was choosing had a 1" length, the one I was coming from had a .25" length?!? Could it be this simple?!? YES IT CAN! Could not find in the configs where to turn compensation off, but I set all tool lengths to zero and VIOLA!! Everything is peachy again!

Hope this helps soemone!

Title: Re: Z axis acting up
Post by: ger21 on March 13, 2016, 10:40:09 AM

If you're using V-Carve Pro, and have no plans to use G43, then you should edit your post processor and remove the G43 commands.

Title: Re: Z axis acting up
Post by: leversole on March 13, 2016, 10:46:07 AM

Thanks for the input...while you are "on the phone", I searched the DRO and wiki...Is there a way to show the tool description? I see all of the DRO's for tool number, diameter, etc, unless I overlooked it, I cannot find a way to show the description...

Thanks as always!

Title: Re: Z axis acting up
Post by: ger21 on March 13, 2016, 11:35:19 AM

Use GetToolDesc() and write it to a label.

Title: Re: Z axis acting up
Post by: leversole on March 13, 2016, 11:39:17 AM

Thanks! I guess that was in the Vbasic wiki! Forgot to look in there!