"Touch" module malfunctioning. I use the Makers Guide Triple Edge Finder to zero X, Y and Z axes working coordinates. The Triple Edge finder has a hole that centers over any of the 4 corners of a work piece. When I lower Z into the hole and execute the center finding function, the probe (in my case an end mill or steel dowel) moves in the usual sequence, i.e., -x, +x, -Y, and +Y. The probe starts out as it should; however, at one of 4 touches, it frequently faults. When a fault occurs, the probe touches and just stops and Mach4 goes into a disable state. What follows is a cut and paste of a history screen, which documents what happens. The fault occurs randomly and can occur at any one of the 4 touch points. The problem has also occurred when setting Z=0, but only 2 or 3 times.
X axis is performing a touch move.
ESS starting Probe 0
ESS: Successful Probe0 Strike. Probing finished.
X axis is performing a touch move.
ESS starting Probe 0
ESS: Successful Probe0 Strike. Probing finished.
Y axis is performing a touch move.
ESS starting Probe 0
ESS: Successful Probe0 Strike. Probing finished.
ERROR: No contact with probe
Note that history reports a touch (Strike) at -Y, but errors and reports no contact. In this case, the probe touched at -Y, stopped there and Mach4 when into disabled status.
Previously, I used Mach3 and the Big Tex Blue Screen, which had the same functionality. It worked fine. Never a problem. The problem showed up when I upgraded to Mach4. While the problem occurs often, it did not show up every time I run the center finding touch function. I sometimes have to run it 3 or 4 times until it runs correctly. Very annoying.
Can anyone help me with the fix.
Here is my system data: PDMX126 Bob, PMDX107 spindle control, ESS Smoothstepper. My computer is an HP laptop, 12 MB of ram, a fast processor and Windows 10. It is a dedicated to my CNC ops and is only connected to the internet for updates. When disconnected, I shut down all anti virus software. My CNC is a 4 x 4 gantry router running NEMA 34s on all axes. My spindle is properly grounded and has an incoming line filter. No noise related issues. More importantly, my VFD is rarely turned on when I am running the touch sequences, so it would not be adding any noise to the mix.
Thank you,
Gary