Mach 3 tool setter Big-tex version

Quote:

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maybe I should license the upstairs one too so I can avoid any problems in the future, how many computers can I have Mach on with 1 license.

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You can put it on as many as you want if they're not controlling a machine. If you use your machines for hobby use, you can use 1 license for as many machines as you have.

But if you're making money with your machines, you need 1 license for each machine.

As far as what doesn't work in demo mode, there are quite a few things. They used to be on the Wiki, but aren't there any more.

500 lines of code.
Run from here doesn't work.

No threading in Turn.

Can't remember any more.

Also, if you don't install the driver, there are some additional issues you may run into.

single license will work

Hi big-tex,
Thank you for such a nice Auto Tool functionality.. I am running Mach3 Lockdown Version R3.042.040.... My Z-axis is set as following:

When My Z-axis Moves up--->The DRO shows -ve value
When My Z-axis Goes down --->The DRO shows +ve value

I know it is against the standard practice but i have some special Gcode postprocessor files that generate Gcodes in this way... So i didn't change the the Active LOw setting in Mach3 as Actve High etc...

I will request you to kindly help me making the Big-Tex version of Auto Tool zero setter seeing the above scenario and in METRIC unit...
Your help in this regard is highly appreciated

Has anyone put the toolchange probe macro in their M6 End macro?

Doing that should alleviate the need to press the second button after a tool change. But I haven't tested it yet.

I'm working on a new screen, and I'm incorporating this into it. I need to add tool change position DRO's, so the machine will move to a user defined location to change the tool, then pushing Cycle Start should finish the change by probing for the length, then continuing on.

Doing some thinking (and testing) while typing this. Seems like I need the initial touch off button, but the second button just calls M6. This allows you to manually do a tool change after the initial touch off, but when running g-code, the tool change and length probe are handled automatically by Mach3.

I haven't really read this thread that closely, so someone correct me if I'm wrong.



Big Tex, seems like your installer did some undesirable things to my configuration. Last night, I ran your installer to check out how th macro's worked. This morning, when playing with the spindle rpm slider, I was getting PWM error messages. Seems your installer changed my spindle from step/dir to PWM, even though it was disabled?? It also seems to have enabled the Shuttle Pro plugin, as I got errors from that, since I don't have one?

Can you confirm these are from your installer? Or did something really strange happen here??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ger21

It also seems to have enabled the Shuttle Pro plugin, as I got errors from that, since I don't have one?

Can you confirm these are from your installer? Or did something really strange happen here??

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Hi Gerry,

I've seen this happen when installing other screen sets. I have no idea why but you're not alone here as I do not have the shuttle on my "design" PC, and it always seems to re-enable it when installing "some" screensets.

I just delete the shuttle plug-in and it goes away, but still not sure how it gets there again to begin with. It may be a default plug-in being installed with this (and certain other) screensets.

Dave
Dave

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Khalid

Hi big-tex,
Thank you for such a nice Auto Tool functionality.. I am running Mach3 Lockdown Version R3.042.040.... My Z-axis is set as following:

When My Z-axis Moves up--->The DRO shows -ve value
When My Z-axis Goes down --->The DRO shows +ve value

I will request you to kindly help me making the Big-Tex version of Auto Tool zero setter seeing the above scenario and in METRIC unit...
Your help in this regard is highly appreciated

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Khalid, it looks like you just need to probe in the other direction. You should be able to just change a few lines of code. Here's an example. These are in inches, you'd want to change the metric portions as well. There may be other changes need, but I don't have time to look through it thoroughly right now.

Rem Probe In the z direction

Code "F10" 'slow down feedrate to 10 ipm
ZNew = GetDro(2) - 6 'probe move to current z - 6 inches
Change to ZNew = GetDro(2) + 6

Code "G31Z" & ZNew
While IsMoving() 'wait for probe move to finish
Wend

ZNew = GetVar(2002) 'read the touch point
Code "G0 Z" & ZNew +.1 'move back to hit point in case there was overshoot +.1

Change to Code "G0 Z" & ZNew -.1


While IsMoving ()
Wend

Thanks Gerry, I will change the values and will show the outcome :)

Be aware that they need to be changed in several other places, and in both macros.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ger21

Has anyone put the toolchange probe macro in their M6 End macro?





Big Tex, seems like your installer did some undesirable things to my configuration. Last night, I ran your installer to check out how th macro's worked. This morning, when playing with the spindle rpm slider, I was getting PWM error messages. Seems your installer changed my spindle from step/dir to PWM, even though it was disabled?? It also seems to have enabled the Shuttle Pro plugin, as I got errors from that, since I don't have one?

Can you confirm these are from your installer? Or did something really strange happen here??

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ger21
Putting macro in m6start should work I have not tested it it that way since I do not have ATC.

If you could add command to bottom of script for tool zero to proceed with start after touch off you will have single button operation. Is that doable?
Cycle start Alt R shortcut dec. val 2131


Installer does not change anything, it only installs set and jpeg files for graphic portion of screen set.

Did some testing on my design PC.

Looks like I can have M6 start move to a position to manually change the tool, then put your second macro in the M6 end, which gets executed after hitting cycle start.

It's gonna take me a few weeks to get it setup to know for sure, but it sure seems like it should work fine, and save a step vs how you're doing it now.

What about inserting command to cycle start at the end of macro?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Big-tex

What about inserting command to cycle start at the end of macro?

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You have to stop the spindle to change tools, so you need to click a button to restart it.

If you set up General Config to "Stop Spindle, Wait for Cycle Start", then you only need to click Cycle Start after you change the tool.

This seems to be the best way to me. Almost fully automatic. It moves the machine to where you want to change the tool, stops while you change it, and, after you hit cycle start, it re-zero's, and starts cutting.

Its working fine for me Now :) Thanks Gerry and the Big-Tex.. This is for Metric Mode and special case of my Z-axis.. Please don't use unless your Z-axis Up and Down movement behave like my Z-axis......


Rem This is for my MDF Machine for Milling
Rem VBScript To probe In the z axis For G21 Only.. first Run the Gcode With G21 Then try Auto tool
Rem My X,Y & Zaxis dirlowActive= High (Green) And steplowActive=High (green)
Rem This Auto Tool Zero is For my inverted Z-axis Z-moves up= -ve , Zmoves down= +Ve


If GetOemLed (825) <> 0 Then 'Check to see if the probe is already grounded or faulty
Code "(Z-Plate is grounded, check connection and try again)" 'this goes in the status bar if aplicable
Else
Code "G4 P1" 'Pause 1 seconds to give time to position probe plate
PlateOffset = GetUserDRO(1151) 'Get plate offset DRO
CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818) 'Get the current feedrate to return to later
Code "F100" 'slow down feedrate to 4 ipm

Rem Probe in the z direction
ZNew = GetDro(2) + 50 'probe move to current z - 2 inches
Code "G31Z" &ZNew
While IsMoving() 'wait for probe move to finish
Wend

ZNew = GetVar(2002) 'read the touch point
Code "G0 Z" &ZNew 'move back to hit point incase there was overshoot
While IsMoving ()
Wend

If PlateOffset <> 0 Then
Call SetDro (2, -1*PlateOffset) 'set the Z axis DRO to plate thickness
Code "G4 P0.25" 'Pause for Dro to update.
ZNew = -1*PlateOffset - 5
Code "G0 Z" &ZNew 'put the Z retract height you want here
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed)" 'puts this message in the status bar
End If

Code "F" &CurrentFeed 'Returns to prior feed rate
End If

ger21

i want to retain functionality of cycle start and do not wish to change m6end

what will execute command to start cycle that can be added to bottom of script
code 2131
does not work

You're not changing cycle start at all. It still works normally.

What happens, is that when Mach3 sees an M6 T2, it runs the M6 start macro, then waits for you to hit cycle start. When you hit cycle start, it runs M6 end.
You set it up this way in general config.

Cycle start should be DoOEMButton (1000)

I will test that see how I like it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ger21

You're not changing cycle start at all. It still works normally.

What happens, is that when Mach3 sees an M6 T2, it runs the M6 start macro, then waits for you to hit cycle start. When you hit cycle start, it runs M6 end.
You set it up this way in general config.

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I guess there is more than one way to skin the cat.

DoOEMButton (1000)

does not work, it appears as bug reported on mach 3 forum

ger21

I have came across problem with my scripts and calc retract
so I changed em to Code("G53G0Z-0.5") it is safer routine just in case something is in the way.
It was rare situation but I felt like it needed changing. I will change metric section as well and post new version for download installer version.

INITIAL ZERO SETUP
Option Explicit 'Written by Big-Tex November 28 2010
Dim xjobcoord
Dim yjobcoord
Dim xmachcoord
Dim ymachcoord
Dim zmachcoord
Dim xprobeloc
Dim yprobeloc
Dim xtoprobe
Dim ytoprobe
Dim PlateOffset
Dim CurrentFeed
Dim ZNew
Dim Zplate
Dim Zrestposition
Dim ZMaterialmachcoord
Dim ZPlatejobcoord
Dim Zplatetomaterial

xjobcoord = GetDRO(0) 'get current job coordinate for X
yjobcoord = GetDRO(1) 'get current job coordinate for Y

xmachcoord = GetOemDRO(83) 'get current machine coordinate for X
ymachcoord = GetOemDRO(84) 'get current machine coordinate for Y
zmachcoord = GetOemDRO(85) 'get current machine coordinate for Z

xprobeloc = GetUserDRO(1100) 'get X machine coordinate location of the touch plate
yprobeloc = GetUserDRO(1101) 'get Y machine coordinate location of the touch plate

xtoprobe = xprobeloc-xmachcoord+xjobcoord 'calculate the X move from the current location to the touch plate
ytoprobe = yprobeloc-ymachcoord+yjobcoord 'calculate the Y move from the current location to the touch plate

Rem VBScript To probe In the z axis
If GetOemLED(801) Then 'check if English Units
If GetOemLed (825) <> 0 Then 'check to see if the probe is already grounded or faulty
Code "(Z-Plate is grounded, check connection and try again)" 'this goes in the status bar if aplicable
Else
Code "G4 P1" 'pause 1 seconds to give time to position probe plate
PlateOffset = GetUserDRO(1151) 'get plate offset DRO
CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818) 'get the current feedrate to return to later

Rem Probe In the z direction

Code "F10" 'slow down feedrate to 10 ipm
ZNew = GetDro(2) - 6 'probe move to current z - 6 inches
Code "G31Z" &ZNew
While IsMoving() 'wait for probe move to finish
Wend

ZNew = GetVar(2002) 'read the touch point
Code "G0 Z" &ZNew +.1 'move back to hit point incase there was overshoot +.1
While IsMoving ()
Wend

Rem End add lines

Code "F2" 'slow down feedrate to 2 ipm
ZNew = GetDro(2) - .25 'probe move to current z - .25 inches
Code "G31Z" &ZNew
While IsMoving() 'wait for probe move to finish
Wend

ZNew = GetVar(2002) 'read the touch point
Code "G0 Z" &ZNew 'move back to hit point incase there was overshoot
While IsMoving ()
Wend

If PlateOffset <> 0 Then
Call SetDro (2, PlateOffset) 'set the Z axis DRO to plate thickness
Code "G4 P0.25" 'pause for Dro to update.
'ZNew = PlateOffset + 3.6315 'calc retract
'Code "G0 Z" &ZNew 'put the Z retract height you want here
Code("G53G0Z-0.5")
While IsMoving ()
Wend

End If

End If


Rem VBScript To probe In the z axis

If GetOemLed (825) <> 0 Then 'check to see if the probe is already grounded or faulty
Code "(Z-Plate is grounded, check connection and try again)" 'this goes in the status bar if aplicable
Else

Rem Probe In the z direction
Code "G4 P0.25" 'pause for Dro to update.
Zrestposition = GetDro(2) 'get the job cooridnate of the Z axis after setting Z
ZMaterialmachcoord = GetOemDRO(85)-ZNew 'get current machine coordinate for Z & calc the top of the material for use later
Code "G4 P1" 'pause for Dro to update
Code "G0X" &xtoprobe &"Y" &Ytoprobe 'rapid to the location of the plate

Rem Start Add lines To speed this up

Code "F10" 'slow down feedrate to 10 ipm
ZPlate = GetDro(2) - 6 'probe move to current z - 6 inches
Code "G31Z" &ZPlate
While IsMoving() 'wait for probe move to finish
Wend

ZPlate = GetVar(2002) 'read the touch point
Code "G0 Z" &ZPlate +.1 'move back to hit point incase there was overshoot+.1
While IsMoving ()
Wend

Rem End add lines

Code "F2" 'slow down feedrate to 2 ipm
ZPlate = GetDro(2) - .25 'probe move to current z - .25 inches
Code "G31Z" &ZPlate
While IsMoving() 'wait for probe move to finish
Wend

ZPlate = GetVar(2002) 'read the touch point
Code "G1 Z" &ZPlate 'move back to hit point incase there was overshoot
While IsMoving ()
Wend

Zplatetomaterial = GetDRO(2) 'record the current coordinate of the bottom of the tool and plate
Call SetUserDRO(1102,Zplatetomaterial) 'this sets a user DRO to the value of the top of material to top of plate
Code "G4 P0.25" 'pause for Dro to update.

'ZNew = PlateOffset + 3.6315 'calc retract
'Code "G0 Z" &ZNew 'put the Z retract height you want here
Code("G53G0Z-0.5")
While IsMoving () 'wait for probe move to finish retracting
Wend

Code "G0X" & xjobcoord & "Y" & yjobcoord'returns to the previus X Y job location
While IsMoving()
Wend

Code "F" &CurrentFeed 'returns to prior feed rate
Code "G4 P0.25" 'pause for Dro to update
Code "(Material Offset is Now Calculated in English Units)"'puts this message in the status bar

End If
Else 'this portion of script is for Metric Native Units
If GetOemLed (825) <> 0 Then 'check to see if the probe is already grounded or faulty
Code "(Z-Plate is grounded, check connection and try again)" 'this goes in the status bar if aplicable
Else
Code "G4 P1" 'pause 1 seconds to give time to position probe plate
PlateOffset = GetUserDRO(1151) 'get plate offset DRO
CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818) 'get the current feedrate to return to later

Rem Probe In the z direction

Code "F300" 'slow down feedrate to 300 mmpm
ZNew = GetDro(2) - 150 'probe move to current z - 150 mm
Code "G31Z" &ZNew
While IsMoving() 'wait for probe move to finish
Wend

ZNew = GetVar(2002) 'read the touch point
Code "G0 Z" &ZNew + 3 'move back to hit point incase there was overshoot + 3
While IsMoving ()
Wend

Rem End add lines

Code "F50" 'slow down feedrate to 50 mmpm
ZNew = GetDro(2) - 6 'probe move to current z - 6 mm
Code "G31Z" &ZNew
While IsMoving() 'wait for probe move to finish
Wend

ZNew = GetVar(2002) 'read the touch point
Code "G0 Z" &ZNew 'move back to hit point incase there was overshoot
While IsMoving ()
Wend

If PlateOffset <> 0 Then
Call SetDro (2, PlateOffset) 'set the Z axis DRO to plate thickness
Code "G4 P0.25" 'pause for Dro to update.
'ZNew = PlateOffset + 50 'calc retract
'Code "G0 Z" &ZNew 'put the Z retract height you want here
Code("G53G0Z-20")
While IsMoving ()
Wend

End If

End If


Rem VBScript To probe In the z axis

If GetOemLed (825) <> 0 Then 'check to see if the probe is already grounded or faulty
Code "(Z-Plate is grounded, check connection and try again)" 'this goes in the status bar if aplicable
Else

Rem Probe In the z direction
Code "G4 P0.25" 'pause for Dro to update.
Zrestposition = GetDro(2) 'get the job cooridnate of the Z axis after setting Z
ZMaterialmachcoord = GetOemDRO(85)-ZNew 'get current machine coordinate for Z & calc the top of the material for use later
Code "G4 P1" 'pause for Dro to update
Code "G0X" &xtoprobe &"Y" &Ytoprobe 'rapid to the location of the plate

Rem Start Add lines To speed this up

Code "F300" 'slow down feedrate to 300 mmpm
ZPlate = GetDro(2) - 150 'probe move to current z - 150 mm
Code "G31Z" &ZPlate
While IsMoving() 'wait for probe move to finish
Wend

ZPlate = GetVar(2002) 'read the touch point
Code "G0 Z" &ZPlate + 3 'move back to hit point incase there was overshoot+3
While IsMoving ()
Wend

Rem End add lines

Code "F50" 'slow down feedrate to 50 mmpm
ZPlate = GetDro(2) - 6 'probe move to current z - 6 mm
Code "G31Z" &ZPlate
While IsMoving() 'wait for probe move to finish
Wend

ZPlate = GetVar(2002) 'read the touch point
Code "G1 Z" &ZPlate 'move back to hit point incase there was overshoot
While IsMoving ()
Wend

Zplatetomaterial = GetDRO(2) 'record the current coordinate of the bottom of the tool and plate
Call SetUserDRO(1102,Zplatetomaterial) 'this sets a user DRO to the value of the top of material to top of plate
Code "G4 P0.25" 'Pause for Dro to update.
'ZNew = PlateOffset + 50 'calc retract
'Code "G0 Z" &ZNew 'put the Z retract height you want here
Code("G53G0Z-20")
While IsMoving () 'wait for probe move to finish retracting
Wend

Code "G0X" & xjobcoord & "Y" & yjobcoord'returns to the previus X Y job location
While IsMoving()
Wend

Code "F" &CurrentFeed 'returns to prior feed rate
Code "G4 P0.25" 'pause for Dro to update
Code "(Material Offset is Now Calculated in Metric Units)"'puts this message in the status bar
Code "F200"
Sleep 100


End If
End If


TOOL CHANGE ZERO SETUP

Option Explicit 'Written by Big-Tex November 28 2010
Dim xjobcoord
Dim yjobcoord
Dim zjobcoord
Dim xmachcoord
Dim ymachcoord
Dim zmachcoord
Dim xprobeloc
Dim yprobeloc
Dim CurrentFeed
Dim ZNew
Dim ZPlate
Dim Zplatetomaterial
Dim PlateOffset
Dim ZMaterialmachcoord
Dim Zplatejobcoord
Dim xtoprobe
Dim ytoprobe

xjobcoord = GetDRO(0) 'get current job coordinate for X
yjobcoord = GetDRO(1) 'get current job coordinate for Y
zjobcoord = GetDRO(2) 'get current job coordinate for Z

xmachcoord = GetOemDRO(83) 'get current machine coordinate for X
ymachcoord = GetOemDRO(84) 'get current machine coordinate for y
zmachcoord = GetOemDRO(85) 'get current machine coordinate for z

xprobeloc = GetUserDRO(1100) 'get x machine coord of fixed plate
yprobeloc = GetUserDRO(1101) 'get y machine coord of fixed plate

xtoprobe = xprobeloc-xmachcoord+xjobcoord 'calc x move to fixed probe
ytoprobe = yprobeloc-ymachcoord+yjobcoord 'calc y move to fixed probe

Rem Move To fixed In Plate location

If GetOemLed(801) Then 'check if Native Units are English
If GetOemLED(825)<>0 Then

code "(Z-Plate Grounded Check connection and try again)"
Else

Rem Probe In Z direction

Code "G4 P0.25" 'pause for Dro to update.
CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818) 'get the current feedrate to return to later
PlateOffset = GetUserDRO(1151) 'get plate offset DRO
Code "G0X" &xtoprobe &"Y"& ytoprobe 'move to fixed plate location

Rem Start Add lines To speed up

Code "F12" 'slow down feedrate to 10 ipm
Zplate = GetDro(2)-6 'probe move to current z - 6 inches
Code "G31Z" &Zplate
While IsMoving()
Wend

Zplate = GetVar(2002) 'read the touch point
Code "G1 Z" &Zplate+.1 'move back to hit point incase there was overshoot +.1 inches
While IsMoving()
Wend

Rem End of add lines

Code "F2" 'slow down feedrate to 2 ipm
Zplate = GetDro(2)-.25 'probe move to current z - .25 inches
Code "G31Z" &Zplate
While IsMoving()
Wend

Zplatetomaterial = GetUserDRO(1102) 'get calculated material offset
Code "G4 P0.25" 'pause for Dro to update.
Call SetDRO(2,Zplatetomaterial) 'this sets Z DRO to calculated material offset
Code "G4 P0.25" 'pause for Dro to update.

'ZNew = PlateOffset + 2.6315 'calc retract
'Code "G0 Z" &ZNew 'put the Z retract height you want here
Code("G53G0Z-0.5")
While IsMoving () 'wait for probe move to finish retracting
Wend

Code "G0X" & xjobcoord &"Y" & yjobcoord 'returns to the previous X Y job location
While IsMoving()
Wend

Code "F350" '&CurrentFeed 'returns to prior feed rate
Code "G4 P0.25" 'pause for Dro to update.
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed in English Units)" 'puts this message in the status bar


End If
Else 'this portion of script is for Metric Native Units
If GetOemLED(825)<>0 Then
code "(Z-Plate Grounded Check connection and try again)"
Else

Rem Probe In Z direction

Code "G4 P0.25" 'pause for Dro to update.
CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818) 'get the current feedrate to return to later
PlateOffset = GetUserDRO(1151) 'get plate offset DRO
Code "G0X" &xtoprobe &"Y"& ytoprobe 'move to fixed plate location

Rem Start Add lines To speed up

Code "F300" 'slow down feedrate to 300 mmpm
Zplate = GetDro(2)- 150 'probe move to current z - 150 mm
Code "G31Z" &Zplate
While IsMoving()
Wend

Zplate = GetVar(2002) 'read the touch point
Code "G1 Z" &Zplate+ 3 'move back to hit point incase there was overshoot + 3 mm
While IsMoving()
Wend

Rem End of add lines

Code "F50" 'slow down feedrate to 50 mmpm
Zplate = GetDro(2)- 6 'probe move to current z - 6 mm
Code "G31Z" &Zplate
While IsMoving()
Wend

Zplatetomaterial = GetUserDRO(1102) 'get calculated material offset
Code "G4 P0.25" 'pause for Dro to update.
Call SetDRO(2,Zplatetomaterial) 'this sets Z DRO to calculated material offset
Code "G4 P0.25" 'pause for Dro to update.

'ZNew = PlateOffset + 50 'calc retract
'Code "G0 Z" &ZNew 'put the Z retract height you want here
Code("G53G0Z-20")
While IsMoving () 'wait for probe move to finish retracting
Wend

Code "G0X" & xjobcoord &"Y" & yjobcoord 'returns to the previous X Y job location
While IsMoving()
Wend

Code "F" &CurrentFeed 'returns to prior feed rate
Code "G4 P0.25" 'pause for Dro to update.
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed in Metric Units)" 'puts this message in the status bar
Code "F300"
Sleep 100


End If

End If


I have left original code so you can see where code was changed. You must remember that this code only operates correctly if you are NOT in machine coordinates.
Gerry I hope that helps.