[wjmcalpin]

How can I start the program then ask the user to jog to the approximate location of a pocket, corner, etc., and read that location into the program to perform the function, see the file here:

www.sunharborsales.com/probefunctions.txt

Do not use this program, it’s buggy and will break something. I’m not a CNC programmer.

This is a Fadal EMC with a CNC88 controller in format 1 with a Renshaw MP12 probe. I’d like to replace the “fetch approximate x, y, z” subroutines with a prompt to move the probe to the approximate xyz location using the jog handle and the xyz axis selector knob.

Is there a way to address the xy coordinates of the pendant screen to display text at specific locations?

Is there a way to prevent the code from echoing on the screen while the program runs so that only the PRINT statements are displayed?

Is there a downloadable (free) library somewhere that has reliable probe functions?

When using the probe to set offsets for the tools, it looks like the machine descends to z0 after a tool change and before applying the height offset then applies the height offset and ascends back to where you want it, if a tool is longer than the probe and you’ve set the current fixture z offset to the probe length, you can run into something. How to get the longer tools not to descend to z0 after a tool change?

The l9101 r+1. function does not always work in the z direction but does in the x an y but when you use x or y you have to specify both, you can do l9101 r+1. x+r9 f50. p1 for example, you have to use l9101 r+1. x+r9 y+r8 f50. p1 even if you are moving along a straight line for y, is that the required format?

Can someone post a short piece of code that will do a ½ inch deep 8-32, 10-32, 1/2-18 rigid tap? The machine is supposed to have that feature according to the paperwork with it.

If I can ask another favor please don’t use the cryptic format that is the standard for CNC programs where there are multiple commands on one line without any comments or spaces.

Thanks,
-Bill

[Shizzlemah]

you can use the macro variable AX AY AZ to call the current position (in the active WCS) of the tool. X & Y should always correspond with the display - Z , watch it, be sure you apply the H word first.

Pause the prog, have operator jog to the feature, then 'start' and ... um.. is it 2 or 3? I always screw that up. Maybe 3? position should NOT update after you press 3. OTOH, maybe it's 2. Anyway, one will completely screw you over.


Also, I have found L9101 R0+1. doesnt work too well in Z.. for XY moves it is best (repeatable & reliable) to specify both X & Y. Even if you dont know your Y (for example)

R9=AY
L9101 R0+1. X+2. Y+R9

L9101 is not really "fast" either. If you probe much you will want to handcode for high speed skip. For a Z probe:

G90 G0 Z2. (clear over the surface, surface is Z0)
G1 G31 Z-.1 F50 (stop once probe trips, or w/o contact travel to Z-0.1)
G91 G1 Z-.010 F5. (overdrive, shove the probe tip .010 into the surface)
G1 G31.1 F1. (g31.1 high speed skip, stop motion when probe release)


And now you've got your touch point with one contact, versus two in the L9101 R0+1 routine.

[wjmcalpin]

Thanks for your reply. Take a look at the L0100, L0200, and L0300 subroutines, L1600 uses the other three. The program ought to pause where they show up. Look at the PDF file, you start the program and enter an option from looking at a printout of the PDF stuck to the side of the mill. The problem is you have to already know the approximate xyz because it asks for them.

When you start it ought to go into jog, you move to the approximate location then punch a button to take you back out of jog into the program so it can pick up the xyz of the position you jogged to then do the rest.

Don't use it, it has a lot of bugs. The PDF shows H on the outside of the pocket for options 12-15 but it's on the inside, with most of the options you can break something if your workpiece is not thick enough and other things.

Is there a commercial program to do this on a Fadal EMC with CNC 88 and Renshaw MP12 probe?

www.sunharborsales.com/probefunctions.txt
www.sunharborsales.com/probefunctions.pdf

-Bill