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Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Auto Leveling - "Gcode Ripper" for Mach4
« on: July 07, 2017, 11:52:01 AM »
I do want to add that for me in Pre Probe I add (G55 G43 H99) So workoffset for the part and Tool Offset for my Probe. And in Post Probe I use G0 Z8 so i can remove my Probe. The software writes in the M0 stop so no need to write that in the boxes. If using a tool changer that houses the probe then nothing would be needed.
I hope that Mach4 will eventually include this scripting in future releases within its probing features. To level stock or even level parts on second operations for things like engraving had been tedious in the past. I spent at lest 10 to 20 minutes leveling every part before engraving. Now i just set the machine up in the morning and engrave part after part without leveling a single part in my fixture. I tested this software by putting a part in the vise 8" wide having a .250 rise from one end to the other with gcode meant to be machine flat and the engraving came out as if the part was 100% level. Scorch and James Hawthorne truly did make some great software. Both of them are open source and the code is open to modify, extract, and manipulate freely. I only helped with the Mach4 scripting and testing as neither had Mach4 and this community did need this software. I think once people start using it they will understand just how powerful it is. The difference between Gcode ripper and AE is Gcode ripper uses an external file Via the M40 macro to store data and AE preforms the math calculations on the fly. Both in my opinion are great. Although im still working on getting AE to function properly within Mach4 it too seems to have its benefits. Each software has its pros and cons. For those running slower machines with less ram Gcode ripper is a better fit. Those running faster machines with more ram and faster video cards benefit from AE more.
I do encourage people to give these both a try specially machining unlevel parts like PCB's or Engraving. Whether the part is not level from laziness or just difficult these should help. Also those using routers to engrave this should be a gold mine.
I hope that Mach4 will eventually include this scripting in future releases within its probing features. To level stock or even level parts on second operations for things like engraving had been tedious in the past. I spent at lest 10 to 20 minutes leveling every part before engraving. Now i just set the machine up in the morning and engrave part after part without leveling a single part in my fixture. I tested this software by putting a part in the vise 8" wide having a .250 rise from one end to the other with gcode meant to be machine flat and the engraving came out as if the part was 100% level. Scorch and James Hawthorne truly did make some great software. Both of them are open source and the code is open to modify, extract, and manipulate freely. I only helped with the Mach4 scripting and testing as neither had Mach4 and this community did need this software. I think once people start using it they will understand just how powerful it is. The difference between Gcode ripper and AE is Gcode ripper uses an external file Via the M40 macro to store data and AE preforms the math calculations on the fly. Both in my opinion are great. Although im still working on getting AE to function properly within Mach4 it too seems to have its benefits. Each software has its pros and cons. For those running slower machines with less ram Gcode ripper is a better fit. Those running faster machines with more ram and faster video cards benefit from AE more.
I do encourage people to give these both a try specially machining unlevel parts like PCB's or Engraving. Whether the part is not level from laziness or just difficult these should help. Also those using routers to engrave this should be a gold mine.