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Author Topic: A couple setup problems - 3 axis engraver  (Read 5588 times)

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A couple setup problems - 3 axis engraver
« on: September 30, 2012, 03:52:33 PM »
Getting up to speed, learning how to set the home position versus limit switches, etc.
My machine consists of a 3 axis engraver table, table itself moves in Y direction, tool moves in X, and head moves up down in Z of course.
Stepper motor drives, with one limit switch at bottom left most tool position in y,one at leftmost position in x, and the z has a limit switch at top and bottom limits of travel.  Total 4 switches in series.
   
Question 1:  Not sure I am setting things up right...the z motor never references upwards properly to the switch and back off of it, like it should, it often goes up (correct direction) half an inch or so, stops as if the switch was made, then goes on to reference the x and y axes, which it ALWAYS does perfectly.   The Z limit switch port pins are all identical to the other limit switches, since they all share the same line. So that is correct.  What would cause the z not to go up to the switch and reference correctly?   All axes are set up properly for direction and speed and acceleration and distance calibration.  They all jog fine.

Question 2:  I have never seen the capability to limit manual jogging to stop on limit switch.  Mine just tries to plow through past the switches.  I Can't find a setting for that.   But I guess once I have figured out the procedure for machine limits versus soft limits versus offsets, the machine won't jog past the soft limits.   ....it's all a bit confusing really.

Any assistance would be most appreciated.

Offline Hood

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Re: A couple setup problems - 3 axis engraver
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2012, 04:10:37 PM »
1. sounds like a bouncing switch or electrical noise, you could try adding some Debounce Interval on General Config page, try 2000 and work down to as low as you can go if it helps.

2. Config menu then Homing and limits and you can set up soft limits is what you are after, just sounds like you either dont have them turned on or they are not configured correctly.
Hood
Re: A couple setup problems - 3 axis engraver
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2012, 04:37:46 PM »
Thanks for the input, you might be right on the switch bounce.
Well I was depending on the wrong manual. I studied the software config manual, but now I see the larger "Install, operation and config" manual discusses these topics more in depth, lemme go read some more.
I just need to understand the setup procedure and zeroing axes better.....it's quite confusing at first.  If I still can't figure it out, I will post again.  Thanks

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Re: A couple setup problems - 3 axis engraver
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2012, 04:51:27 PM »
What happens when you home is Mach sets machine coordinates. The user rarely uses or cares what machine coords are as they are really for Mach to know where it is. Normally what you do once homed is jog to where you want your parts zero position to be then zero the axis DROs. By doing that you have just set up a work offset.

There is more to it than that but that is the basic setup.
Hood

Offline Coils

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Re: A couple setup problems - 3 axis engraver
« Reply #4 on: October 01, 2012, 04:50:40 AM »
Watch the "homing & limits" video, a couple times, it helps me figure out a lot and I really don't know what I'm doing yet.  : )
Re: A couple setup problems - 3 axis engraver
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2012, 12:52:09 PM »
Ok I am past that learning curve, and have the machine coords versus work homing down pat.
But I am getting an intermittent problem with losing steps....for example when I jog, even though I have the speeds down to a reasonable level, in fact regardless how slow I run a particular axis, in one direction only I can hear it losing steps, verified by the VERIFY button in testing.  This happens to 2 separate axes, and only on one direction.   Any thoughts?

I have increased the dir and step times to 1 or 2, but it doesn't seem to  change anything.
 

Offline Hood

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Re: A couple setup problems - 3 axis engraver
« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2012, 01:51:26 PM »
Try changing the step pulse active state and see if that helps.
What Kernel are you running?
Hood
Re: A couple setup problems - 3 axis engraver
« Reply #7 on: October 05, 2012, 01:53:59 PM »
Hmm....when I go into motor tuning dialog and change the dir and step us values, they don't save.  Maybe that's my problem...they revert back to zero and one.  Am I doing something wrong?

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Re: A couple setup problems - 3 axis engraver
« Reply #8 on: October 05, 2012, 01:57:12 PM »
They should save, can you attach your xml and I will see what happens with it here.
Hood
Re: A couple setup problems - 3 axis engraver
« Reply #9 on: October 05, 2012, 02:22:37 PM »
Here is my xml file, thanks for looking.  For reference, all i need to do is click ok, in the motor tuning dialog, and when I go back into it, the dir and step values previously chosen should show up as they were save correct?
I know it sounds obvious, but it doesn't work that way here.
I will go and change the previous step and dir settings we discussed awhile.
Thanks