Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: evanevery on December 16, 2020, 04:39:38 PM
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New user here... Just getting started with Mach3 but I've been running a bunch of CNC equipment and software for years in my hobby shop inc Laser (FSLaser), Waterjet (Wazer), Router/Plasma (Torchmate), and a handful of 3D printers. I've hardly used the 2x4 Torchmate router at all over the years. Largely due to its size and the work required to get it set up. So I picked up a 3018-MX3 so I had something more manageable to get comfortable with.
Anywho...
I've got to get my head around several issues but the lowest level issue I seem to be having is that I can not get the Machine Coordinates to zero out at all. I've researched the crap out of this, found a nice YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npd4Tmik4Is (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npd4Tmik4Is)), but it simply doesn't work! I'm running the latest version of the software, and it appears to be talking OK with my little 3018 (including the e-stops and zeroing the tool on the z-axis). Everything I see tells me I should be able to reset the Machine Coord's but I can't get it to work. Basically, as I understand it:
1. Zero the user coords
2. Switch to machine coords
3. Go to settings
4. "Reset Interp"
5. "Zero" X, Y, & Z under "Encoder Position"
6. Send the new X, Y, Z values (+0.0000) "To DRO"
7. Switching back to "Run Program" and nothing has changed. The Machine Coords are still as they were...
I've even tried changing the "Persistent DRO" settings in the config with no effect.
Am I missing something here?
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Once the Machine corrds are set via Refhome the axis then they are not changable by the user. You do not machine from machine coords. You machine from Work Coords. Work coords you can change Zero anytime you chose to do so. .
So why are you trying to change teh machine coord base ??
Just a thought , (;-) TP
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Yup, I get it. (Trust Me!) Your question is spot on... So, here goes... But only cause you asked! ;-)
As I dig deeper and deeper into understanding how to get my machine (and my process) working, I seem to encounter more fundamental issues...
When trying to "Ref Home" all the axis, the X and Y worked OK (hit the stops and then zero'ed) but the Z-Axis did not. I've had it hit the upper stop (and then emergency stop) or had it drive into the table (and manually emergency stop) depending on whether the machine coords for its current position were negative or positive when the "RefHome" operation began.
So, "digging deeper", I thought maybe I should just try and manually zero the machine coords. Its not a final solution to my issue (RefHome), but I figured it should be pretty straight forward, right? Nope...
I'm trying to get to the simplest possible operation which I can successfully perform (to ensure my config is good) and then work my way back out to a more automatic operation (RefHome).
1. I should be able to manually zero the machine coords, right?
2. Otherwise, should I start trying to figure out why my RefHome on the z-axis is not working? Its home movement seems to be determined whether the current machine coords are negative or positive. Obviously, I want it to go up, hit the stop, back out a little and then zero the coord... But even when it does move in the right direction, it recognizes the stop, but "emergency stops" the operation. (My homing/endstop config appears to be correct...)
What do you think? Thanks!
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No you should not be able to manually zero teh machine coords. As to the refhome Z not working I would assume there is something wrong with your setup OR your switches. Perhaps you are homing to fast and are blowing through teh switch. As to which direction it homes I beleive is settable in teh config side.
It could be a switch bounce problem and may need a capacitor to smooth out the signal or perhaps you need to add a bit of bebounce to the input. IF it is switch bounce the first bounce willl set the home trip but the scond bounce will trip it as a limit and stop the machine.
MANY MANY people use this process every day without problems so perhaps you need to get to teh root of teh problem and not try to circumvent the function.
Just a thought, (;-) TP
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Actually, I was trying to get to the root of the problem... ;-)
So, it sounds like I have TWO problems. ...and it sounds like manually zeroing the machine coords should be the easiest thing to diagnose since I don't expect it involves my machine or config in any way. That should simply be a Mach3 software function, right?
Any idea why that would not be working in my environment? I've run the process a million times as shown in the referenced video (inc many variations and departures), but the DRO simply does not update as expected...
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can you post some Pictures of your z-axis ref Limit Switch setup.
also a copy of your Profile XML would be helpful.
and at least, witch Motion Controller are you using?
witch led's on the diagnostic page are changing, if you press the z-axis ref Switch manually?
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My motion controller is the one embedded in the Genmitsu 3018-MX3. It is built specifically for Mach3 compatibility. It is USB based.
Not sure why any of that would prevent the Mach3 software from allowing me to manually zero the machine coords.
Again, my end stops are all functioning exactly as expected. ...and the diagnostics page reflect that as well...
...and now as I try to upload the attachments you requested, I'm getting the error "Sorry! There is already an attachment with the same filename as the one you tried to upload. Please rename the file and try again." I have two files "e-stop.jpg" and "Mach3Mill.xml" and it won't let me attache either of them - together or alone.
So now I guess I have THREE Problems to diagnose :-(
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Hi,
Not sure why any of that would prevent the Mach3 software from allowing me to manually zero the machine coords.
To my knowledge the only way to 'zero' the machine coordinates is to reference (home) the machine. You can manipulate the
work coordinates at will but the machine coordinates are set relative to the home switches.....period. There is no way to set them at will.
Craig
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Not sure why any of that would prevent the Mach3 software from allowing me to manually zero the machine coords.
also again machine coords are zeroed by the reference sequence.
...and now as I try to upload the attachments you requested, I'm getting the error "Sorry! There is already an attachment with the same filename as the one you tried to upload. Please rename the file and try again." I have two files "e-stop.jpg" and "Mach3Mill.xml" and it won't let me attache either of them - together or alone.
do just what the errormessage tells you, rename the files. i.e. Mach3Mill.xml -> E_Mach3Mill.xml
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Yes, I already tried renaming the files as part of my initial posting (* -> *-Copy.xml/jpg). That didn't help...
I don't already have "files of the same name" in my posting... Is it possible that if ANYONE, ANYWHERE on this forum has EVER uploaded a file of the same name, this causes an issue? Could that actually be the issue? Am I just supposed to keep trying random file names until I find an unused one? If so, this seems pretty stupid...
I will try again (with some really obscure filenames) once I get out to my shop in a few minutes...
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Yes, I already tried renaming the files as part of my initial posting (* -> *-Copy.xml/jpg). That didn't help...
I don't already have "files of the same name" in my posting... Is it possible that if ANYONE, ANYWHERE on this forum has EVER uploaded a file of the same name, this causes an issue? Could that actually be the issue? Am I just supposed to keep trying random file names until I find an unused one? If so, this seems pretty stupid...
I will try again (with some really obscure filenames) once I get out to my shop in a few minutes...
Really stupid or not, that is just the way it is.
Take you file name and ad an a or a b or aa or aaa to the end of it, that will make it uique.
Tweakie.
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Sport you are NOT listening. We have already told you that you cannot reset teh Machine Zero manually in Mach3 or for that matter most other controllers as well.
Second YES you are correct you have to select a unique file name if you are going to post a file to this site. Most simply add their name to the filename "Test_File_Jackson.jpg" for example.
Just because you THINK your controller is fully compatible with Mach3 does not make it so. FEW fareast controllers are fully compatible with Mach3. Yes they lied to you.
Your problem sounds like a switch bounce problem. You probably could solve the issue by adding some debounce to the input side. THAT IS IF your controller allows one to debounce the inputs.
(;-) TP
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"Sport"? Really? Nice welcome to this forum...
Anyway here are the files renamed to something "unique"...
...and, yes, my controller appears to be working with Mach3. I expect this is more of a "personal issue"...
There are videos out there specifically showing how to manually zero the machine coordinates. (I linked to one in the OP). Apparently, its the video that's lying to me and not my controller...
As previously suggested, I put manual zero'ing aside (as I'm being told its not possible) and focused on the "Ref All" function. As machine coords seem mostly irrelevant for work, I wanted like my z-axis to zero "up" and not "down" so I can be sure to stay away from the spoilboard and any fasteners used to hold it to the work table. Setting the "Home Neg" on the Z-Axis seemed to resolve that. My spindle is no longer trying to dive into my spoilboard.
For anyone who is interested, I would like to say that it DOES appear that the little MX3 controller on the SainSmart/Genmitsu 3018-MX3 is working pretty well with Mach3. Now I need to get working pretty well with Mach3...
Thanks!
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Yes teh video is lying to you. There is something about the machine shown that you are not aware of. It has encoders linked to the table. Do you have table position encoders ??? Bet not.
NOW Zhome has nothing to do with Work zero. Also you are setting yourself up for some aggrevation by setting up your machine to run Z backwards to what is normal . Having teh machine to home at the bottom has nothing to do with driving the bit into the table that can still happen no matter where Zhome is.
Just from 50 years of experience Z home is best setup at teh top of stroke in Z (top). That is as high as you can make Z move. Also known as safeZ as you can not make teh tool go any higher for clearance purposes. Also note that the tool tip position is also dependant on how LONG the tool is. To call that into play simply program G53 X0 and teh spindle will go to SafeZ (Zhome).
But it is YOUR machine set it up as you please (;-) But please do not complain when things go south for you.
(;-) TP
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You'll note from my screen shots that I did not reverse the orientation of my z-axis. As mentioned in my prior email, I just changed it to home "up" (at the of of the stroke as you suggest). Changing the "Home Neg" on the Z-Axis (on the "homing/limits config screen) is what now makes it home "at the top of the stroke" (vs at the bottom of the stroke as was the default). It does not reverse the orientation of the z-axis. I am not running it backwards...
...but thanks Buddy! ;-)
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had a quick look to your Profile, Looks good so far.
try to increase Debounce Intervall in Config-> General Config
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Nice!
Thanks!