Messages

311

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 , jogging with limits switch on makes the axis move very slow one way

« on: April 03, 2018, 06:59:12 AM »

Don't push the limit switch

That was sarcasm, but seriously, why push a limit and try to jog?

312

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 , jogging with limits switch on makes the axis move very slow one way

« on: April 03, 2018, 05:22:28 AM »

It should move at slow speed until the limit switch is released IIRC but I'm unsure if it will speed up gain until you release the jog and do it again.

313

General Mach Discussion / Re: Probing - what would i need?

« on: April 03, 2018, 05:18:46 AM »

Ah, good so I'm on the right track at least.

Something like this...
http://medw.co.uk/wiki/CNC+Probe

And this...
http://www.yrcnc.com/product/cnc-tool-touch-off-probe/

I have no idea here but these popped up on a search, are there any better (without going super-pro £££££) 

314

General Mach Discussion / Re: Probing - what would i need?

« on: April 03, 2018, 04:24:04 AM »

Sounds good, thanks, would be interesting to read them.

But do i need TWO systems here - a probe for surfaces AND a plate for tools?

And I think I am correct that I will need to drive the knee to a know position each time I do a probe or tool?

315

General Mach Discussion / Re: Probing - what would i need?

« on: April 03, 2018, 03:22:30 AM »

Yes that is what i need - only need to measure the tools once when loaded into rack or ATC - the tool table does the rest.

Also want to probe surfaces, XYZ etc

316

General Mach Discussion / Re: Probing - what would i need?

« on: April 03, 2018, 02:23:25 AM »

Yes but I'm not seeing the correlation between tool setting and probing yet, i'm probably just dense

I have tools mounted - they need measuring in the spindle by the system.
I have a probe mounted - it also needs measuring by the system.

Lets ignore my current height setter - its offline and we are heading to full CNC tool calibration here.

It looks like i need the probe for surfaces PLUS a touch plate for tools?

The machine must be in a known position re Z and C axes before setting tools or no relationship can exist surely?

Don't forget I have what is like a VMC but with the added complexity of being able to move not only the Z axis like a VMC but also the bed/knee unlike a VMC

317

General Mach Discussion / Re: Probing - what would i need?

« on: April 02, 2018, 01:34:49 PM »

I'm guessing that before probing a surface OR setting a tool height, I would have to drive the knee axis to a known, fixed position??

It would all make more sense then, I think

Currently my knee axis (C) DRO is zeroed at the time I press Z zero, I use this in my tool length offset calculations to position the knee each time.

318

General Mach Discussion / Re: Edit a wizard?

« on: April 02, 2018, 01:26:54 PM »

Thanks Gerry.

319

General Mach Discussion / Edit a wizard?

« on: April 02, 2018, 12:39:04 PM »

Can wizards be edited?

I see there is a .set file but also a .def one.

Are they editable like screens or secret voodoo and not to be touched

320

General Mach Discussion / Re: Probing - what would i need?

« on: April 02, 2018, 12:14:12 PM »

Thinking on....the bits are slowly falling into place possibly....

I need a fixed touch-plate somewhere on the bed (could be movable I guess but...) This would be connected to my probe input.

I know the height of this plate/block etc. lets say 25.00mmm for fun.

I would need a fixed (insulated) probe permanently mounted in a holder, it would have a ball-end of known diameter.


What I keep getting muddled over is where is the correlation from fixed probe to tool height??

Presently, I zero my height setter, place tool or probe, measure and enter the result in the two table - this works 100%

But what would i zero on the mill? Is G53 Z0 the reference?

If yes then I can see it all playing possibly:-

Place probe in spindle, probe until touch plate reached, read current machine DRO for Z and set that in the tool table after subtracting my 25mm offset.
Place tool in spindle, probe until triggered, store Z machine DRO, subtracting offset again.

Then i can probe the work and the lot should work I think??

BUT....

What happens when I break a tool and need a reset - the knee will have moved and now my Z ref is no longer correct

Confusion much