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Author Topic: Mach4 second Probe does not work with G31.1  (Read 3452 times)

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Mach4 second Probe does not work with G31.1
« on: April 23, 2017, 12:08:13 PM »
G31.1 does not currently work in my hands even though the BOB and ESS have pins connected correctly and the probe lights up on the board and in diagnostics.
It looks like only a single probe controlled by G31 really works in Mach4 at this time.  Yes, it works great and I appreciate that.  But what happened to the concept of a second probe being implemented?

You can have a second probe which is recognized but the BOB.  Mach4 even sees it light up with contact on the Diagnostics screen but simply is not recognized (even though the board indicator lights up on contact) during a G31.1 move.

Why is it documented on page 20 in the Mach4 Mill Programming Guide if it does NOT work?  Even the #variables are not as advertised in the manual apparently.
The manual says #5071 and #5071 are for G31.1 (a second probe) x and y position values.  However, on another list by Scott Shafer dated 5/28/2015 those variables
are actually G31 machine positions..

Guess I will use a switch to go between the 2 probes.  Many hours wasted to figure that out...  Lots of discussions about probing frustrations that I could find on the forum but no definitive conclusions otherwise about success with a second probe let alone a 3rd or 4th probe.  Who knows the answer? 

Thanks
Re: Mach4 second Probe does not work with G31.1
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2017, 12:23:23 PM »
Are you sure your controller supports multiple probes? Not all do at this time.

Allan
Re: Mach4 second Probe does not work with G31.1
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2017, 01:01:25 PM »
Allan,

I am thinking that the ESS plugin is in control of probing and must not be capable of multiple probes at this time.  Is that what you mean by controller?

Thanks
Re: Mach4 second Probe does not work with G31.1
« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2017, 01:30:59 PM »
I am going to wire all my probes in parallel to the single port on the BOB.  Since all probing routines are being done separately, it should be safe.

I should be able to sneak back to the shop soon... >:D

That still leaves the #variable discrepancy unanswered.  I believe we are in control of these variables and if so, then I can just write the values to the variables as the data is generated?

Thanks
Keith
Re: Mach4 second Probe does not work with G31.1
« Reply #4 on: April 23, 2017, 02:31:50 PM »
Wiring probes in parallel works fine.  G31 on any probe in parallel works fine.  Problem solved... as long as the second probe is not contacted during the other probes work.
Re: Mach4 second Probe does not work with G31.1
« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2017, 02:42:56 PM »
Apparently ESS plugin only supports G31 - one probe.   Wiring to the same port works fine.
Re: Mach4 second Probe does not work with G31.1
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2017, 07:17:05 AM »
Yes, that's exactly what I mean.  The ESS is your controller. I have the same problem with my CS Labs controller. In my case, the probes are normally closed switches, so I'm thinking of using an opto-isolator to effectively wire them in series. I can't do that directly as each probe needs to be grounded for its illumination to work.

Allan
Re: Mach4 second Probe does not work with G31.1
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2017, 10:33:28 AM »
Thanks

Offline Graham Waterworth

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Re: Mach4 second Probe does not work with G31.1
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2017, 10:57:50 AM »
I just wired my probes through a relay and call an M code to select which one I am using.

Without engineers the world stops
Re: Mach4 second Probe does not work with G31.1
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2017, 11:25:04 AM »
Good idea!  Thanks!