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Author Topic: Set tool height zero - Z axis retracts wrong way  (Read 6306 times)

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Set tool height zero - Z axis retracts wrong way
« on: January 28, 2017, 12:15:53 PM »
Hi
Does anyone in this great forum, have any experience with the phenomena, where the Z-axis during a "set tool height zero" using a probe, on the retract motion, continues to go down (negative) towards the probe/table, BUT, the Z- axis DRO counts up (positive) on the Mach3 screen?

After the motion, set to 30mm. in the macro, it stops and the DRO for the Z-axis counts correct again (UP counts positive, DOWN count negative) But the retraction of the Z-axis vent the wrong way.

Hope for your help  ;)
Thanks Brian
« Last Edit: January 28, 2017, 12:20:52 PM by Culturebeast »

Offline ger21

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Re: Set tool height zero - Z axis retracts wrong way
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2017, 06:50:45 PM »
Need to see your macro.
Gerry

2010 Screenset
http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html
Re: Set tool height zero - Z axis retracts wrong way
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2017, 08:08:25 AM »
Hi
I have made some macro modifications since yesterday, thanks to an instruction video from "gurubrew" youtube  /watch?v=G4DeVa8rzA0 Good instruction!

There is progress in the way, that the Z-axis does not retract as much in the wrong way as before. I'll explain.. The Z-axis still (sometimes) moves down towards the probe/table even though the tool activates the probe, (just a few millimeters), before the Z-axis retracts.
But the machine does'nt do it every time, and it does'nt seem to be systematic.  ???
It most often seems like the machine "notice" the activation of the probe, but then contiues a few millimeters before retracting, instead of retracting imideatly.
The probe works
Hope it makes some kind of sence  :)
Well here's the macro:

CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818) 'Get the current feedrate to return to later     
CurrentAbsInc = GetOemLED (48) 'Get the current G90/G91 state
CurrentGmode = GetOemDRO (819) 'Get the current G0/G1 state

If GetOemLed (825)=0 Then 'Check to see if the probe is already grounded or faulty
DoOEMButton (1010) 'zero the Z axis so the probe move will start from here
Code "G4 P5" ' this delay gives me time to get from computer to hold probe in place
Code "G90 G31Z-30. F100" 'probing move, can set the feed rate here as well as how far to move
While IsMoving () 'wait while it happens
Wend
ZProbePos = GetVar(2002) 'get the axact point the probe was hit
Code "G0 Z" &ZProbePos 'go back to that point, always a very small amount of overrun
While IsMoving ()
Wend
Call SetDro (2, 32.20) 'change 32.20 to your plate thickness and then adjust for final accuracy
sleep 200 'Pause DRO to update
Code "G1 Z40. F400" 'put the Z retract height you want here
While IsMoving() 'wait while it happens
Wend
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed)" 'puts this message in the status bar
Code "F" &CurrentFeed 'Returns to prior feedrate
Else
Code "(Z-Plate is grounded, check connection and try again)" 'this goes in the status bar if aplicable
End If

Offline ger21

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Re: Set tool height zero - Z axis retracts wrong way
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2017, 08:27:04 AM »
What version of Mach3 are you using? If using 3.043.066, then try 3.043.062.

Are you using the parallel port, or a motion controller?
Gerry

2010 Screenset
http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html
Re: Set tool height zero - Z axis retracts wrong way
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2017, 12:50:07 PM »
Have to check up on the mach3 version, but the machine has a Break out Board connected via UC100 usb adapter.

Offline ger21

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Re: Set tool height zero - Z axis retracts wrong way
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2017, 12:50:58 PM »
My guess is that it's an issue with the Mach3 version.
Make sure you have the latest UC100 plugin as well.
Gerry

2010 Screenset
http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html
Re: Set tool height zero - Z axis retracts wrong way
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2017, 11:22:51 AM »
Thank you!! Definitely worth a try :-) I'll check it out and get back to you.

Again,- thank you!

Brian
Re: Set tool height zero - Z axis retracts wrong way
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2017, 09:45:40 AM »
I am very happy!
It seemed to be a UC100 update that was needed. Perfect!

Thanks Gerry

Brian
Re: Set tool height zero - Z axis retracts wrong way
« Reply #8 on: November 08, 2017, 03:54:29 PM »
@Culturebeast Where did you find the update for the UC100?
Re: Set tool height zero - Z axis retracts wrong way
« Reply #9 on: November 08, 2017, 03:55:35 PM »
I used the latest update from CNCdrive and i am still having this proplem