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1

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / X axis G28 point is moving .75

« on: October 15, 2014, 05:41:54 PM »

Our machine has started to offset .75 the x axis every time a program finishes. Parts are to size and nothing weird going on during program. It seems to move just the x over to the right by .75 inches everytime a program finishes. Is there a macro or gcode that could have been activated unknowingly that could be causing just the x to move .75 every time to the right after a program completes?

Here is what we have tested and know to be true:

There are no changes from post processor output of same file from last month and today.
Ref All home and G28 as many times as you want and it will be exactly in the same spot.
Move all axis around machine then g28 and it will be in the exact same spot
Calibration for steps per inch have been redone and checked. It will move exactly how much you tell it to in the calibration set up.
If you run a program and run the same program again it will be offset .75 every program run that is processed. Only way to reset is to                        ref all home g28 then zero axis out.
Parts are to size and no oblong circles.
Y axis is not included in the offset movement.
New drives and encoders were installed without a difference.
Different gearhead was installed with the same outcome.
Rack and pinion have no issues.

2

General Mach Discussion / Tool Change won't work at start up unless gcode file is opened Please help.

« on: May 10, 2012, 09:59:09 PM »

Here is a current problem. Upon start up and setup procedures are done. Calling for a toolchange M6T2, and the machine doesn't move. Load a gcode file and reset the tools info for the changer and poof it now works for the rest of the day. Also hit a limit switch and back to square one it won't change unless a gcode file is opened.

I have reloaded mach3
I have debugg/viruses the computer
I have done a disk clean.

I have a usb smooth stepper
G320x drivers
and Keling servos with encoders

Is there a setting that I may have inadvertently checked or please help me with a fix.

3

General Mach Discussion / Tool offset not working after tool change

« on: May 08, 2012, 10:35:06 AM »

Once a tool change is called the machine correctly tool changes and registers which tool is in position. It even shows the offset of the tool in the tool information BOX, but doesn't reflect it in the dro until i turn the tool offset off then on or save the tool table.

Attached is the tool change program. Do I need to put in a tool height offset off then back on after tool is changed. It used to work properly but now it doesn't. Couldn't tell you what has changed as No setting changes have been altered or new programs installed prior to the error.

I have in the top right of my program run screen these active gcodes G0, G17,G40,G20,G94,G54,G43,G99, G64,G97
My G54 offset is already adjusted to proper settings and has not been altered.

If you do recommend putting in a tool offset off and then on please show an adjusted macro with changes in red.

'ToolChange Macro For Bed type tool changer 11/05 Brian
Sub Main()
OldTool = GetOEMDRO (1200) 'Tool In spindle DRO You must add this to your settings screen
x = GetToolChangeStart( 0 )
y = GetToolChangeStart( 1 )
z = GetToolChangeStart( 2 )
a = GetToolChangeStart( 3 )
b = GetToolChangeStart( 4 )
c = GetToolChangeStart( 5 )
tool = GetSelectedTool()
NewTool = tool
'Tool Changer Macro (Bed Type)
MaxToolNum = 6      'Max number off tools for the changer
ToolDown   = -6.0895 'Z Pos to Get or drop a tool
ToolUp     = 0.0    'Z Hieght to Rapid from tool to tool
If NewTool = OldTool Then
   Exit Sub
End If
While NewTool > MaxToolNum
NewTool = Question ("Enter New Tool Number up to " & MaxToolNum)
Wend
Code "G00 G53 Z" & ToolUp
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G00 G53 X0"
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G00 G53 Y9.25"
While IsMoving()
Wend
Call MovePos(OldTool)
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G53 Z" & ToolDown
Code "G4 P.75"
While IsMoving()
Wend
ActivateSignal(Output5) 'Turn On Draw bar to release the tool
Code "G4 P1.0"    'Wait for the tool to release
'SystemWaitFor (7) 'Wait for the tool Release Limit switch
Code "G53 Z" & ToolUp
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G53 Y9"
While IsMoving
Wend
Call MovePos(NewTool)
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G53 Z" & ToolDown
Code "G4 P.75"
While IsMoving()
Wend
DeActivateSignal(Output5) 'Turn Off Draw bar to Clamp the tool
Code "G4 P1.0"    'Wait for the tool to Clamp
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G53 Z" & ToolUp
Call SetUserDRO (1200,NewTool)
SetCurrentTool( NewTool )
Code "G53 Y9.25"
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G00 X" & x & " Y" & y 'Move back to where the tool change was prompted
End Sub

Sub MovePos(ByVal ToolNumber As Integer)

Select Case ToolNumber
       Case Is = 1
         Xpos = 9.9468       
         YPos = 4.0814         
       Case Is = 2
         Xpos = 14.4954
         YPos = 4.1001
       Case Is = 3
         Xpos = 18.9783
         YPos = 4.0795
       Case Is = 4
         Xpos = 23.4547
         YPos = 4.1055
       Case Is = 5
         Xpos = 27.9440
         YPos = 4.1055
       Case Is = 6
         Xpos = 32.4681
         YPos = 4.1084
       Case Is = 7
         Xpos = 16.00
         YPos = 4.00
       Case Is = 8
         Xpos = 18.00
         YPos = 4.00
End Select
       
       Code "G53 X" & XPos
       While IsMoving()
       Wend

       Code "G53 Y" & YPos
       While IsMoving()
       Wend

Code "G53 X" & XPos & " Y" & YPos
End Sub
Main           

4

General Mach Discussion / Auto tool measuring and offsets

« on: April 10, 2012, 10:51:00 AM »

I would like to set up a tool measuring system and offsets. This is a macro Brian posted that I liked.

Here is what I would like to do. Tool 1 or No tool in spindle will be the reference (Zeroed at table top), then I would like to measure the other tools and set the offsets automatically. I would like there to be a regular probe speed for first touch then a slow speed for second touch and use the second touch position. Then save tool offsets for each tool number.

If I could set up a macro for all six tools. And a macro to do current tool only.

Please chime in if there is a better way, but I do have hall effect sensor limit switches for homing and even the tool measure so accuracy and repeatability are not an issue, and don't really need to measure during tool changes.

So having a macro to measure tool in use, is basically used for if a tool is changed you can just measure and reset offset for the one tool. The macro for all six, I would like to have for say beginning of the week to recheck all tools.

Any input is appreciated.

  Thanks,

David


Xpos = GetDRO(0) 'Get the X and Y position
Ypos = GetDRO(1)
Code "G53 G00 Z-.1" 'Move the tool all the way up
Code "G53 G00 X3.5 Y6.00" 'Move to the probe position
While IsMoving()
Wend
Zpos = GetDRO(2)'Get the Zpos
Code "G31 Z" & Zpos - 5 & " F30" 'Probe down 5 Units
While IsMoving()
Wend
Zpos = GetVar(2002) 'Get the Position that the Porbe hit at
Code "G00 Z" & Zpos' Move to the point where the probe hit
While Ismoving()
Wend
Call SetDRO(2,0.000) 'Set the Z to 0.00
Code"G53 G00 Z-.1" 'Pick the tool up to the home switch
Code"G00 X" & Xpos & "Y" & Ypos 'Move to the point where the tool change started

5

General Mach Discussion / servo and drivers

« on: March 27, 2012, 10:28:26 PM »

What servo/driver combo would you recommend for good resolution and speed. I have only dealt in the past with gecko and keling. So using yaskawa or mitsubishi etc. is a change. Is there better benefits with these systems.

6

General Mach Discussion / Easiest way to have Gcode file close after completed.

« on: March 19, 2012, 11:39:22 AM »

We do a lot of pen tracing, and we have found that when my cnc operator gets interrupted and doesn't remember to close the pen file and load the cut file we mess pieces up. SO is there a way I can have the gcode file automatically close after it is run ( I do realize the easy thing is to get in the habit of load programs correctly, but it is a mistake that can be easily done and cost money) . I was thinking this may entail putting a macro at the end of the program in the post processor. I don't have a clue how to do this yet so a copy/paste instruction and help would be great.

7

General Mach Discussion / Would like to add in a certain path for toolchange to run. Need Help

« on: March 15, 2012, 12:12:44 PM »

I would like for the machine, once the tool-change is initiated, to take a certain path ( z to 0.0 then x to 0.0 and y to 0.0) then move along y 0.0 to the tools x position, then proceed with the normal tool change. Once tool is released, the it would go back to z 0.0 and then move to y 0.0 and move along y 0 to the new tools position and proceed with tool change.

From what it looks like the tool change macro from the tutorial moves over other tools. I don't have the clearance necessary to do that so hence I need the machine to back off to y 0.0 and select the x for the new tool then move in directly so as not to hit another tool.

Any help would be appreciated.

8

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 and a server

« on: October 03, 2011, 02:32:07 PM »

Are there any issues with running mach3 on a computer run by a server.

9

General Mach Discussion / Maintenance Statistics

« on: August 27, 2011, 12:14:03 PM »

Is there any way that extra options can be added in maintenance statistics to keep track of tool usage. For example for however many tools you have information stored for, it would show the same statistics but for each tool used (adding avg feed rate as well). Maybe allowing individual reset just for each tool to show replacement and still have a separate master for total machine usage stats. It would be really nice to take this further and have customizeable settings as well.

The reason I would like this is for futher statistics of costs involved with orders. How long a particular bit lasts, how long my vacuum table top lasts etc. Maybe having a print button or archive dates so you can keep track of long term usage (To further diagnose if it maybe an operator caused problem or machine issue)

Any help would be appreciated

10

General Mach Discussion / Switching from wincnc to mach3

« on: May 03, 2011, 01:24:09 PM »

Just checking to see how hard it would be to reuse a wincnc controller for mach3. I would appreciate any input.

David