[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.

Are you homing at the top of Z and moving to .5 below the home switch?

If so, that wouldn't work for me, as I have no Z Home Switch, and no repeatable Z reference point.

Unless I'm reading it wrong??

[Big-tex]

This script will not proceed if you are not in working coordinates and makes it more "idiot proof". I guess work is progress improving functionality and preventing crashes.


UPDATED TOOLCHANGE ZERO SETUP


Option Explicit 'Written by Big-Tex May 25 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(16) Then 'Checks for machine coordinates
Code "(Please change to working coordinates)" 'puts this message in the status bar
Else


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

Code "(Z-Plate Grounded Check connection and try again)" 'puts this message in the status bar
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-0.25")
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)" 'puts this message in the status bar
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-10")
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

End If

UPDATED INITIAL Z ZERO SETUP

Option Explicit 'Written by Big-Tex May 25 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(16)<>0 Then 'Checks for machine coordinates
code "(Please change to working coordinates)"
Else

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-0.25")
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-0.25")
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-10")
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-10")
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
End If

[Big-tex]

Are you homing at the top of Z and moving to .5 below the home switch?

If so, that wouldn't work for me, as I have no Z Home Switch, and no repeatable Z reference point.

Unless I'm reading it wrong??

You are correct.
This will work if you have Z home switch.
I have home switches on all 3 axis and works for me.

[Big-tex]

UPDATED TOOL CHANGE ZERO SETUP SCRIPT
Option Explicit 'Written by Big-Tex November 29 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(16)<>0 Then 'Checks for machine coordinates
code "(Please change to working coordinates)"
Else


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-0.25")
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

While IsMoving() 'wait for returing to tool change location
Wend
Code DoButton(0) 'Cycle Start

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-10")
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

While IsMoving() 'wait for returing to tool change location
Wend
Code DoButton(0) 'Cycle Start



End If

End If
End If

[Big-tex]

Installer version will be posted soon with list of fixed issues.

[Arbo]

I am liking the whole idea behind this z setter. Will make things run smoother for me.

Will have to fiddle with my CAM program to see how to set it up so it starts a 'tool change'. But that should be easy enough.

I wonder about the folks that had issues with the bit occasionally touching off then driving down into the plate. I had that issue with the routines I was using a while ago. Was that resolved in this code?

Greolt looked at my code recently and said it was an issue with the G90/G91 state, so he modified the code to get the current state at the start, then use G90 for probing, then at the end shift the state back to what it originally was. Just curious if perhaps the same thing happened to the other guys was caused due to the same thing.

[Big-tex]

Post the code here so others with same problems can benefit as well.
I will test it as well. What Cad/Cam do you use?

[Arbo]

Here is what I was running, the bold is the new parts to handle the 90/91 setting...


CurrentAbsInc = GetOemLED(48) 'Get the current G90/G91 state
CurrentFeed = GetOemDRO(818) 'Get the current feedrate to return to later
PlateOffset = GetUserDRO(1151) 'Get plate offset DRO
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 "F4" 'slow down feedrate to 4 ipm
Code "G4 P1" 'Pause 1 seconds to give time to position probe plate
ZNew = GetDro(2) - 2 'probe move to current z - 2 inches
Code "G90 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
Sleep 200 'Pause for Dro to update.
ZNew = PlateOffset + .25
Code "G0 Z" &ZNew 'put the Z retract height you want here
While IsMoving ()
Wend
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed)" 'puts this message in the status bar
End If
If CurrentAbsInc = 0 Then 'if G91 was in effect before then return to it
Code "G91"
End If
Code "F" &CurrentFeed 'Returns to prior feed rate
End If
Forward Message

[Big-tex]

thx

excellent input

I do appreciate people input ideas and improvements.

[Greolt]

Arbo forgot to highlight the most important part of the changes I suggested

Code "F4" 'slow down feedrate to 4 ipm
Code "G4 P1" 'Pause 1 seconds to give time to position probe plate
ZNew = GetDro(2) - 2 'probe move to current z - 2 inches
Code "G90 G31Z " &ZNew
While IsMoving() 'wait for probe move to finish
Wend

On the off chance the script was run when in a G91 state it would do unpredictable things. Not good.

Greg

[PoppaBear10]

Big-Tex,

What does this mean and what is it for?
Zplatetomaterial = GetUserDRO(1102) 'get calculated material offset
Does the user set this dro? I didn't see where you set it in your code.
just curios, I suspect I am missing something..... perhaps you would clairify?

also, I see you are flipping between G 90/91 type stuff, why dont you run the probing code
in G53? then flip back to the users G90 or 91 at the end of the probe, just curious.

Scott

[mcphill]

I am very interested in this piece of code. The latest version I can see was posted 12JUL2010 as version 3.1. Is there a new version, or is on imminent with the changes that have been recently discussed/posted in this thread?

Big-tex - are you accepting donations/payment for the work you have done? If it would help to get an new "current" revision, I would be happy to pay you some amount...

[ger21]

What does this mean and what is it for?
Zplatetomaterial = GetUserDRO(1102) 'get calculated material offset
Does the user set this dro? I didn't see where you set it in your code.

There are two different routines. The DRO gets set during the first one, and gets used for subsequent tool changes.

[PoppaBear10]

Hey Big-Tex, I redid your code to make it smaller, and easier for you to edit, added Greolts and Arbo's changes:

Sub Main() 'made it a sub, so you can return on "show stopper" errors

'UPDATED TOOL CHANGE ZERO SETUP SCRIPT
Option Explicit 'Written by Big-Tex November 29 2010
'MODIFIED: by Poppa Bear, added Greolt's and Arbo's changes 08Dec2010

Dim xjobcoord, yjobcoord, zjobcoord, xmachcoord, ymachcoord, zmachcoord
Dim ZNew, ZPlate, Zplatetomaterial,PlateOffset, ZMaterialmachcoord, Zplatejobcoord
Dim xprobeloc, yprobeloc,xtoprobe, ytoprobe
Dim FirstProbeDist, FirstRetractDist, SecProbeDist
Dim CurrentFeed
Dim CurrentAbsInc

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
CurrentFeed = = GetOemDro(818) 'get current feed rate
PlateOffset = GetUserDRO(1151) 'get plate offset DRO
Zplatetomaterial = GetUserDRO(1102) 'get calculated material offset from somewhere else?
CurrentAbsInc = GetOemLED(48) 'Get the current G90/G91 state


'//////// the block below will set all your reusable vars depending on Inch or mm.
'//////// this sets the vars so you only need ONE large block of probing code.

If GetOEMLED(801) Then 'ON = English Measure INCH
FirstProbeDist = -6.0 'first probe travel
FirstRetractDist = 0.1 'first probe retract travel
SecProbeDist = -0.25 'second probe travel
FirstProbeFeed = 12 'First Probe Feed Speed
SecondProbeFeed = 2 'Second Probe Feed Speed
Else 'OFF = Metric Measure MM
FirstProbeDist = -150.0 'first probe travel
FirstRetractDist = 3.0 'first probe retract travel
SecProbeDist = -6.0 'second probe travel
FirstProbeFeed = 300 'First Probe Feed Speed
SecondProbeFeed = 50 'Second Probe Feed Speed
End If

'//////// Error Condition checking code

If GetOemLED(16)<>0 Then 'Checks for machine coordinates
Code "(Please change to working coordinates)"
Exit Sub 'ERROR! exit the macro
End If

If GetOemLED(825)<>0 Then
Code "(Z-Plate Grounded Check connection and try again)"
Exit Sub 'ERROR! exit the macro
End If

'//////// Start Probing Code, Probe In -Z direction.
'//////// The vars will be Inch or Metric from above if/else statment

Code "G0 X" & xtoprobe & " Y" & ytoprobe 'move to fixed plate location
Code "F" & FirstProbeFeed 'slow down feedrate to 12 ipm, or 300 mmpm
Zplate = (GetDro(2) - FirstProbeDist) 'probe move to z - 6", or 150mm
Code "G90 G31Z" & Zplate 'FIRST Probe Operation!
While IsMoving()
Wend
Zplate = GetVar(2002) 'read the touch point
Code "G1 Z" & (Zplate + FirstRetractDist) 'retract above hit point +0.1" or +3mm
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "F" & SecondProbeFeed 'slow down feedrate to 2 ipm, or 50 mmpm
Zplate = (GetDro(2)- SecProbeDist) 'probe move to current z - 0.25", or -6.0mm
Code "G90 G31Z" & Zplate 'SECOND Probe Operation!
While IsMoving()
Wend
Call SetDRO(2,Zplatetomaterial) 'this sets Z DRO to calculated material offset
Sleep(250) 'pause for Dro to update.
'ZNew = PlateOffset + 2.6315 'calc retract
'Code "G0 Z" &ZNew 'put the Z retract height you want here
Code("G53 G0 Z") & SecProbeDist
While IsMoving () 'wait for probe move to finish retracting
Wend
Code "G0 X" & xjobcoord & "Y" & yjobcoord 'returns to the previous X Y job location
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "F" & CurrentFeed 'returns to prior feed rate

If GetOEMLED(801) Then 'ON = English Measure INCH
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed in English Units)" 'puts this message in the status bar
Else 'OFF = Metric Measure MM
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed in Metric Units)" 'puts this message in the status bar
End If

If CurrentAbsInc = 0 Then 'if G91 was in effect before then return to it
Code "G91"
End If

Code DoButton(0) 'Cycle Start

End Sub

[mcphill]

Alternatively, can someone post some "baby steps" for my to explain how to get this working right in it's most current version? I can likely figure it out on my own if need be, but a cheat-sheet to get me started would be greatly appreciated...

[ger21]

If you run the last installer Big Tex posted, it should work right out of the box. The updated code may not be needed, and in some cases may not work, depending on your configuration.

If you watch the video, it shows how it works.
First, you need to auto zero plates. One moveable one, and one in a permanent fixed position on your machine.

First step is to place the loose plate on your workpiece, and jog over it. There's a DRO on the Mach Blue screen for the plate thickness. Enter the thickness into the DRO.

There are two other DRO's for the X and Y location of the fixed plate. Enter those as well.

First, you run the initial Auto Zero routine.

This moves to the plate, and sets Z= 0 to the top of your workpiece. Then, it moves to the fixed plate, measures the difference between that plate and Z-0, and writes it to another DRO on the screen.

Now you can start cutting. When you get to a tool change, you stop and change the tool.

Then, you run the other Auto zero routine, which goes to the fixed plate and touches it. It then uses the pre calculated offset to set the Z= 0 to the top of your workpiece. Then you press cycle start and continue cutting with the new tool. For more tool changes, just run the second macro again.

[ger21]

Scott, there are a few bugs in the code you posted. Don't have time to go through it thoroughly, but real quick.

Option Explicit gives an error

Two ==
CurrentFeed = = GetOemDro(818) 'get current feed rate

Should be 6, not -6. This makes it probe up.
FirstProbeDist = -6.0 'first probe travel

[PoppaBear10]

Yes the double equals is a coping mistake, when I was coping and moving aorund code blocks....... the minus six, in looking at his code the first probe is z down move, so I put the minus since his first probe move was a downward probe.

The typos are only copy errors, and if the probing numbers are the wrong direction they can easily be edited at the top block of code.....

The purpose was to make his code more efficient and smaller, thus easier to edit/change.
Option Explicit........ I never use option explicit, since it does cause bugs, just comment it out if you want...... I just put it there cause he had it there.

scott

[ger21]

Not complaining, just pointing out that it didn't work.

It's greatly appreciated, as it really is much cleaner and simpler.

The -6 doesn't work because he's subtracting 6in to get the probe depth.

[PoppaBear10]

ok, here it is again, I fixed the ==, and changed the - value first probe, and second probe to positive numbers since his, math formula makes it a negative.
also commented out the "Option Explicit", since I did not data type the Dim vars...... so, it runs now..... sorry about the inconvienance.

here it is:

Sub Main() 'made it a sub, so you can return on "show stopper" errors

'UPDATED TOOL CHANGE ZERO SETUP SCRIPT
'Option Explicit
'Written by Big-Tex November 29 2010
'Modified by Poppa Bear, added Greolt's and Arbo's changes 08Dec2010

Dim xjobcoord, yjobcoord, zjobcoord, xmachcoord, ymachcoord, zmachcoord
Dim ZNew, ZPlate, Zplatetomaterial,PlateOffset, ZMaterialmachcoord, Zplatejobcoord
Dim xprobeloc, yprobeloc,xtoprobe, ytoprobe
Dim FirstProbeDist, FirstRetractDist, SecProbeDist
Dim CurrentFeed
Dim CurrentAbsInc

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
CurrentFeed = GetOemDro(818) 'get current feed rate
PlateOffset = GetUserDRO(1151) 'get plate offset DRO
Zplatetomaterial = GetUserDRO(1102) 'get calculated material offset from somewhere else?
CurrentAbsInc = GetOemLED(48) 'Get the current G90/G91 state


'//////// the block below will set all your reusable vars depending on Inch or mm.
'//////// this sets the vars so you only need ONE large block of probing code.

If GetOEMLED(801) Then 'ON = English Measure INCH
FirstProbeDist = 6.0 'first probe travel
FirstRetractDist = 0.1 'first probe retract travel
SecProbeDist = 0.25 'second probe travel
FirstProbeFeed = 12 'First Probe Feed Speed
SecondProbeFeed = 2 'Second Probe Feed Speed
Else 'OFF = Metric Measure MM
FirstProbeDist = 150.0 'first probe travel
FirstRetractDist = 3.0 'first probe retract travel
SecProbeDist = 6.0 'second probe travel
FirstProbeFeed = 300 'First Probe Feed Speed
SecondProbeFeed = 50 'Second Probe Feed Speed
End If

'//////// Error Condition checking code

If GetOemLED(16)<>0 Then 'Checks for machine coordinates
Code "(Please change to working coordinates)"
Exit Sub 'ERROR! exit the macro
End If

If GetOemLED(825)<>0 Then
Code "(Z-Plate Grounded Check connection and try again)"
Exit Sub 'ERROR! exit the macro
End If

'//////// Start Probing Code, Probe In -Z direction.
'//////// The vars will be Inch or Metric from above if/else statment

Code "G0 X" & xtoprobe & " Y" & ytoprobe 'move to fixed plate location
Code "F" & FirstProbeFeed 'slow down feedrate to 12 ipm, or 300 mmpm
Zplate = (GetDro(2) - FirstProbeDist) 'probe move to z - 6", or 150mm
Code "G90 G31Z" & Zplate 'FIRST Probe Operation!
While IsMoving()
Wend
Zplate = GetVar(2002) 'read the touch point
Code "G1 Z" & (Zplate + FirstRetractDist) 'retract above hit point +0.1" or +3mm
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "F" & SecondProbeFeed 'slow down feedrate to 2 ipm, or 50 mmpm
Zplate = (GetDro(2)- SecProbeDist) 'probe move to current z - 0.25", or -6.0mm
Code "G90 G31Z" & Zplate 'SECOND Probe Operation!
While IsMoving()
Wend
Call SetDRO(2,Zplatetomaterial) 'this sets Z DRO to calculated material offset
Sleep(250) 'pause for Dro to update.
'ZNew = PlateOffset + 2.6315 'calc retract
'Code "G0 Z" &ZNew 'put the Z retract height you want here
Code "G53 G0 Z" & SecProbeDist
While IsMoving () 'wait for probe move to finish retracting
Wend
Code "G0 X" & xjobcoord & "Y" & yjobcoord 'returns to the previous X Y job location
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "F" & CurrentFeed 'returns to prior feed rate

If GetOEMLED(801) Then 'ON = English Measure INCH
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed in English Units)" 'puts this message in the status bar
Else 'OFF = Metric Measure MM
Code "(Z axis is now zeroed in Metric Units)" 'puts this message in the status bar
End If

If CurrentAbsInc = 0 Then 'if G91 was in effect before then return to it
Code "G91"
End If

Code DoButton(0) 'Cycle Start

End Sub