Hi Guys,  me again.  I am getting down to the last couple of things on this whacky machine and I am not 100% sure how to deal with this, or what a good approach would be. Describing it here might even help because it sort of puts it all down... 1st I will Describe the element of the machine I am trying to setup.
It is a very long axis about 55ft or so, it is a Technics servo motor and drive based axis which operates a grabber/positioner. It will have a hard stop on one end which I am thinking of setting up as the home position. On the other end is where a large AL extrusion will be STAGED (clamped and held) so the grabber can grab the extrusion and pul it into position on the machine. The Grabber has a HS Limit switch designed to detect the beam when it is in the correct position in the grabber and the unit has a reflective sensor that leads the grabber unit to detect objects to verify that there is indeed an exrusiuon, or as a safety feature.... it's function and purpose is mostly theoretical at this time and i would be just as happy to not have to deal with it.  It could be used primarily as a safety device to stop the unit should it detect an object where there should not be one.
The operation of this axis is it would home itself to the hard stop, then when activated do a rpid move to a position close to the extrusion, then it would slowly move into position until the Limit switch detects the Extrusion in the clamp Then the clamp "grabs" the extrusion and the unit moves at a more sedate speed to the required position. My question, is how would you suggest I watch the Limit/detector circuit to control/position the axis correctly. Now heres the clincher.. I have two of these axis's (Mirror Images of each other). And While I am not a newbie at electronics, control and programming I am NOT an expert... any advice/suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks
Mike

Hey Mike,
   I would think you could set all of this in a couple of macros. Could add a couple of dros for each axis as far as posotioning I think. Would only need dros if it changed often, otherwise you could just put the code in the macros.

Brett

I am more concerned about the probing side of it. Initially I had it in my head that the system would watch the Reflective sensor to prevent collisions and then use the probing cycle (If that works on a grex) to actually grab the beam. The problem is I have two axis, so I need another Output to toggle the input from the probe from axis side to the other. I was just fishing to see if anyone else had a brilliant idea, mine all look tarnished to me
Mike

Hey Mike,
   Maybe I'm misunderstanding. It does happen. I don't understand why you are saying probing. You could use the reflective sensor as an input I think. Your macro would look for that input. I don't think probeing is working on the Grex. I have sent you a personal message.

Brett