Mach 3 tool setter Big-tex version

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Originally Posted by Odie9

I just switched over from emc2 to Mach3 and set it up with Bug Ted's modmig works great! The auto z function was actually the reason I made the switch. One question though. Is there a way to set it up so that I don't have to put a wire with an alligator clip on the bit? I assume could run a ground wire from my g540 box to the router but is there another way? I have a relay hooked up to turn on the router but that downs't tie the grounds together. Can I jut run a ground from my power supply to the ground that the router plugs into? The outlet the router plugs into is already plugged into the same outlet as the power supply. I thought that would make it work but it doesn't.

TIA
Odie9

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I was not sure how to wire things up on my G540, and read thru the manual several times. The 4 inputs available are listed as "general purpose" inputs. I was already using all 4 on mine (since installing my 4th axis). Each of the 4 were wired to homing switches for each axis. However, since the 4th axis rarely gets used, I decided to try and use that one for the probe circuit.

My thinking was, that I could simply run a wire from the limit switch I was using as the homing switch on the 4th axis, to my probe plate. (the pin assignment for the parallel port in this case, is pin 13). And then disable the 4th axis homing switch, and enable the probe. Touched the wire to the router bit, and observed the diagnositc screen in Mach3 to see the probe LED light up. So, this WORKS!

The trade-off (to be able to use the auto zero function utilizing the probe), is the loss of the 4th axis. And vice-versa (by simply disabling the probe, and enabling the 4th axis home switch in Mach3). AND disabling the M6 in the 2010 screen set! To be able to again use the 4th axis. This is all a temporary fix, until I can afford to purchase a 2nd parallel port (thereby increasing the number of available inputs) which could then be assigned Port 2 Pin 10, or whatever For connecting the probe circuit. In the words of Johnny 5: "NEED INPUT!"

HI everyone,

Excellent piece of program. I am new in Mach and have been playing around it now for 4 days. Installed blue screen probe and works almost perfect but some problems came up:

1. Z does not retract nor does not do the second touch to plate. On both macros - intial zero and tool change zero
2. when the program stops for for toolchange, the router stays where it is but i would like it to raise Z to safe hight and move to change tool location
3. What is this DRO - CALCULATED MATERIAL OFFSET is for? Should it be neg. number?

I am running in METRIC. Checking the button script behind initial tool zero and tool change zero, it has the metric already written in the code. And as i understand - the code turns to METRIC when it changed to metric on settings page, right?


thanks in advance
Taniel

Ok guys I have not been been around for while.
I will try to answer your questions time permitting as I am working on new and updated version of my screen set.

Currently testing. Youtube videos to come as well.

New version is tested and almost ready for release.
Below is video of installation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVX53...ature=youtu.be

TESTING UPDATE: currently running cycle of 1296 of tool changes with no problems

videos
Big Tex - YouTube

New videos uploaded to you tube.

Credit for creating original Blue screen goes to MrBean and SantiniUK.

I have added tool zeroing functionality etc.
New verision is about to be released.
I am hoping this weekend.

new videos are uploaded to youtube and new version 3.4 is officially released

Thank you all

Guys I can not support hardware g540 or smooth stepper but if you got it all working correctly, wired and configured it will work as designed. Yes I tested and works on smooth stepper. G540 can't help you with that.
Lets keep this thread alife so I know of possible future modifications/ upgrades.
As of now version 3.4 is out and prior versions may not be supported.
Thank you for all your help.

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Originally Posted by Big-tex

Guys I can not support hardware g540 or smooth stepper but if you got it all working correctly, wired and configured it will work as designed. Yes I tested and works on smooth stepper. G540 can't help you with that.
Lets keep this thread alife so I know of possible future modifications/ upgrades.
As of now version 3.4 is out and prior versions may not be supported.
Thank you for all your help.

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Hey Big Tex,

I got the screen set installed last night and everything seemed to be working fantastic (on a G540). It was doing initial setup and zero's just fine. I came back this morning and fired everything back up and now it is being crazy. It touches the movable plate, retracts, touches the plate again and then it drives DOWN into the plate instead of retracting. Am I doing something wrong?


edit: I suspect this might have something to do with not have a Z home switch installed?


Thanks,

Mikkel

Are you in Incremental mode? (G91)

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Originally Posted by ger21

Are you in Incremental mode? (G91)

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Ger I've just been reading through the thread and I think that may be the case. I did an aborted Y axis calibration at some point this morning and I think that may have stuck me in incremental. I saw a mod on page 2 of this thread that calls G90 (absolute?) before carrying out these Z level operations, is that the solution?

I don't know if it's the solution, but the macro should always check to see if it's Incremental mode, and if it is, change to Absolute before probing. It can then return to G91 when finished.

I haven't looked at or used these new macros, so I'm not sure if they do that or not.