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Author Topic: Z Axis help  (Read 11564 times)

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Z Axis help
« on: March 05, 2009, 01:13:49 PM »
Hello, I have a plasma cutter and I would like to have the Z axis reference to a switch, which I now have and works, but I would like Z to retract to a position rather than just back off the switch. I have a floating head, and the people that are going to operate the machine I know will forget to raise the head before making moves. What is the best way to home Z, and then have it back up a certain amount after backing off the switch?

Thanks
Re: Z Axis help
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2009, 01:36:26 PM »
You could mount the switch at the Z full up position. Then when it is homed, it will be all the way up.
Or, you could change the Z home button script to make it go where ever you wish after homing.
RC
Re: Z Axis help
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2009, 01:46:57 PM »
I think I would rather change the Z home script. I have been looking for how to do that, but I haven't found it. Can someone get me started please?
Re: Z Axis help
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2009, 02:00:21 PM »
Click on OPERATOR/EDIT BUTTON SCRIPT, then cklick the flashing REF ALL button and add what I added.
make the Z value whatever you wish....short of a crash that is.
RC

EDIT: Assuming you are using the standard Mach Plasma .set. If not, post a copy of what is in your button.
« Last Edit: March 05, 2009, 02:17:59 PM by Overloaded »

Offline Hood

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Re: Z Axis help
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2009, 02:21:22 PM »
Or you could add a G28 position for the Z Axis (homing and limits page) and add
Code("G28")
At the bottom of the RefAll macro, if you do as RC has then best to  change to machine coords first by putting the following.

Code("G53")
Code("G0Z6")
While IsMoving
Sleep(10)
Wend
Code("G54")



Hood
Re: Z Axis help
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2009, 02:29:18 PM »
I am not using the standard plasma set, I'm using the thc1000C set from C andCNC. No ref all button, but I have a ref z button. I cants seem to pick it from the editor

Offline Hood

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Re: Z Axis help
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2009, 02:34:16 PM »
Ref Z button is not a VB button so you cant edit it. You could alter it so it was a VB button by going into Screen4 and opening your screenset and double clicking on that button and changing it to a VB button. Save then go back into Mach and  do as RC said to edit the button, then put
DoButton(24)
Code("G28")

in it and save and exit.
Next go to Config then Homing and limits and put the distance you want into the G28 box for the Z axis.
Hood
Re: Z Axis help
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2009, 02:38:24 PM »
OH Yeah...G28
MUCH better plan.
Thanks Hood,
RC
Re: Z Axis help
« Reply #8 on: March 05, 2009, 03:08:02 PM »
Great ideas everyone, I will give it a try. Wish me luck!
Re: Z Axis help
« Reply #9 on: March 05, 2009, 05:42:25 PM »
I tried, I had no luck. I'm sure I did something wrong. I'm not a VB'er.
I went into screen 4 and made the change. Then into MACH and wrote DoButton(24)
Code("G28") on the button in the editor. Changed to .2 in the g28 part of Z for homing/limits. It didn't move when I tried it. I guess I need a helping hand.