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Auto tool zero - touch probe - please help
« on: September 27, 2008, 02:34:02 AM »
Hi,

I have tired to manually find the zero point, when I change the tool on the spindle of my CNC Mill.

What I need is: when MACH3 stops and say CHANGE THE TOOL, I will put the new tool, but insted to continue the work, I want MACH3 to go to specific position over tool touch probe, then to lower slowly and when the tool touches the probe, to set Z=0, than to go back and continue the job.

Can some one help me please with this MACRO?

Any ideas of how the touch probe must be made, will also be appresiated! :-)

Thanks guys!

Offline ger21

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Re: Auto tool zero - touch probe - please help
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2008, 09:18:17 AM »
Here's a pretty thorough explanation.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36099
Gerry

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Offline jimpinder

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Re: Auto tool zero - touch probe - please help
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2008, 01:45:02 PM »
The probe function on Mach 3 is fairly straight forward.

The tool is earthed, and when the function is called, the Z axis moves down until the tool contacts a pad, (connected to the "probe" input) and then it stops.

Tool change facility, and the system for writing scripts to control it is subject of a video - see "scripting" . This shows you how to write your own script to make the tool do what you want when you call a tool change.

What you clearly need is to write a script that moves the tool to a position for you to change it, then wait til you change, then move to the pad and drop the tool to get a reading, then change the DRO to a set figure, and move back to where you were.

It sounds a lot, but when you get into it , it is relatively simple. The problem is that everybody 's tool change is different so it is a problem to write one to suit all.

Not me driving the engine - I'm better looking.
Re: Auto tool zero - touch probe - please help
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2008, 07:43:51 PM »
For myself, I built a touch probe for my tool setter. It is in a fixed position beside the table. My macro ask Mach3 to go to that specific position and automatically measure the tool height. If I need 4 tools to do my job, I measure them all before beginning the work. When Mach3 ask for a tool change, I simply manually change the tool and hit cycle start. Tool number in the program must match the ones you have in the tool offset table in Mach3. Work great for me.

Jeff
Re: Auto tool zero - touch probe - please help
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2008, 03:40:43 AM »
Here's a pretty thorough explanation.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36099

That really helps a lot. I ran that script, and it works, exept I need MACH3 to WAIT for me to change the tool until I hit button ALT-S to go on. I am into trouble making MACH3 to WAIT. Not sure exactly how.

Thanks.
Re: Auto tool zero - touch probe - please help
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2008, 04:21:42 AM »
Normally, if your program include a tool change, Mach3 will stop and the led beside tool change in the program Run screen will be yellow flashing. It will be on until you hit Cycle Start to continue your program.

Your program must include a M6 T(number of the tool)
« Last Edit: September 28, 2008, 04:23:16 AM by ostie01 »
Re: Auto tool zero - touch probe - please help
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2008, 11:34:59 AM »
Here's a pretty thorough explanation.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36099

Go to Config->General Config.   Near the top-left is a box labelled "Tool Change".  Check "Stop Spindle, Wait For Cycle Start".



That really helps a lot. I ran that script, and it works, exept I need MACH3 to WAIT for me to change the tool until I hit button ALT-S to go on. I am into trouble making MACH3 to WAIT. Not sure exactly how.

Thanks.
Regards,
Ray L.
Re: Auto tool zero - touch probe - please help
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2008, 12:36:21 PM »
Yes, i know that, but MACH3 will wait After the macro has executed, which is not correct, because I need the program to wait Before make the measurement of the tool heigh, so wait cycle must be included in the body of the script.
I have tried something like this:

while DoOemButton(1000)=1
wend

Where 1000 is OEM code for start button (ALT-S), but unfortunatelly this doesn't work!




Normally, if your program include a tool change, Mach3 will stop and the led beside tool change in the program Run screen will be yellow flashing. It will be on until you hit Cycle Start to continue your program.

Your program must include a M6 T(number of the tool)

Offline ger21

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Re: Auto tool zero - touch probe - please help
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2008, 01:46:10 PM »
Why not change tools FIRST, then call the auto zero macro?
Gerry

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Offline josh

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Re: Auto tool zero - touch probe - please help
« Reply #9 on: October 03, 2008, 11:39:40 PM »
I dont know if this might be of any help but what I do so set my tools is I just use one tool as my tool setter that tool will always touch the work piece and of that tool I set  my other tools I just add some drill stops that way when my program says tool change all I do is tell it to go to a certain height take that tool of then just put the next tool in and press start and it works fine.
« Last Edit: October 04, 2008, 06:52:48 AM by Overloaded »