Hi
In the initial set up phase
I am having trouble setting up my z probe, maybe.
When I try the test probe run my bit disappears into my waste board.
A snip of the settings dialogue - I have changed the plate thickness to 14.94mm, but not in this example.
I’m confused about what the other settings should be.
A few pointers would be awesome
Cheers
Guy
your red dot should turn green on contact if I remember right. I am sure it changes color from which to which is not sure but it will change. as for the other settings you have like retract hight is the hight the bit raises after contact and maximum probing distance is how far down the bit will move if it will not make contact before it stops trying.
If your red dot is not changing then that is the problem to correct first. make sure it is wired correct and all connections are complete.
Are you using the Z-probe that comes with the X-Carve? Are you using Easel? I set mine up last month and it has worked perfectly. Kenneth is correct that the red dot should turn green. If it does not, make sure that you are plugged in to the carriage, that the clip is on the collet and that the remaining wire is in the touch plate, If that is correct, it is likely in the wiring somewehre between the spindle mount and the X-Controller. During the machine set-up routine, the light will turn green (briefly) when you touch the touch plate to the collet when the clip is attached (I guess that this demonstrates that the machine recognizes the closed circuit). When setting up for a carve, the light should turn green when the touch plate contacts the bit. If it turned green in the first step but not the second, maybe there is a lack of connection between the bit and collet (not sure how this would happen). If it did not turn green in the first step, then it is likely a wiring issue. I do not remember exactly how I set up my X-Carve, but I recall that there were connections on the back of the X-Controller that are likely related to the Z-probe. Make sure that all of the wires are in the proper connectors and are secure. My bet is that this is the source of the problem.
I went back to look at the assembly instructions. Under “wiring” it mentions how to install the connector for the Z-probe, but in the “X-Controller” section, there is a picture of the limit switches wired to the controller, but no mention of attaching the Z-probe wires. This would be easy to overlook. I do not have my machine in front of me, but I am fairly sure I connected the Z-probe wire to the two terminals next to the limit switch connections.
Thanks for the replies guys
Everything is as it should be in terms of the probe cabling - no breaks, red to z probe at the X Controller, black to grnd.
In the event that the z probe was incorrectly wired, I swapped the black and red.
That was a mistake, the Y-motor- axis motors are now turning in opposing directions, which was the problem I was trying to sort out with my first post.
Yeesh!
Wonder whether I made the right choice here
Cheers
Guy
Hi Bob
The red probe wire was connected at the zprobe x-controller plug
The black wire was connected to the z-probe ground, as it should be.
The y steppers were running perfect
The thought was that the black and red wire may have been terminated incorrectly at the z probe plug at the X carriage.
I swapped red to gnd and black in the z probe ports at the x controller and the y steppers started working in opposition.
I agree I have some wiring problems.
Nice new multi-meter on board so I can test for continuity, when I get home tonight.
Cheers
Guy
Hey Phil thanks for your concern.
I have a healthy respect for electricity. I’ve been a building contractor for years. I swapped out a 20amp MCB on a board many years ago. Like a moron I grabbed my Phillips dive head that stayed in the MCB slot. That was exciting. 240 volts clears the head.
Since then I’ve been extremely careful of anything that has power going to it.
As mentioned to Bob I have a brand spanking new multi meter - will check all cables tonight.
Cheers
Guy
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I tested the z probe cabling, everything fine. The green button shows till I touch the plate and then it goes red. So will not waste anymore time on that.
The y motors were still running in opposition. Solved when I simply removed and then re-seated the red cable on the right y stepper. They worked fine.
I tried the homing sequence: Z fine, X fine, but Y is moving away from the Y limit switch.
Could someone have a look at my wiring and give me a few pointers?
Any help appreciated
Hi Phil
No, moves toward the front
Cheers
Guy
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Hi Bob
Yes in there at the moment.
All going well, all correct, except the incorrect Y direction when using the homing sequence
Cheers
Guy
Do you know how to access the grbl paramters? If so, post the $$ output here. (You can see them in the machine inspector)
I think these are the settings Larry
$0=10 (step pulse, usec)
$1=255 (step idle delay, msec)
$2=0 (step port invert mask:00000000)
$3=1 (dir port invert mask:00000001)
$4=0 (step enable invert, bool)
$5=0 (limit pins invert, bool)
$6=0 (probe pin invert, bool)
$10=115 (status report mask:01110011)
$11=0.020 (junction deviation, mm)
$12=0.002 (arc tolerance, mm)
$13=0 (report inches, bool)
$20=0 (soft limits, bool)
$21=0 (hard limits, bool)
$22=1 (homing cycle, bool)
$23=3 (homing dir invert mask:00000011)
$24=25.000 (homing feed, mm/min)
$25=750.000 (homing seek, mm/min)
$26=250 (homing debounce, msec)
$27=1.000 (homing pull-off, mm)
$30=1. (rpm max)
$31=0. (rpm min)
$100=40.000 (x, step/mm)
$101=40.000 (y, step/mm)
$102=188.976 (z, step/mm)
$110=8000.000 (x max rate, mm/min)
$111=8000.000 (y max rate, mm/min)
$112=500.000 (z max rate, mm/min)
$120=500.000 (x accel, mm/sec^2)
$121=500.000 (y accel, mm/sec^2)
$122=50.000 (z accel, mm/sec^2)
$130=790.000 (x max travel, mm)
$131=790.000 (y max travel, mm)
$132=100.000 (z max travel, mm)
$0=10 (step pulse, usec)
$1=255 (step idle delay, msec)
$2=0 (step port invert mask:00000000)
$3=1 (dir port invert mask:00000001)
$4=0 (step enable invert, bool)
$5=0 (limit pins invert, bool)
$6=0 (probe pin invert, bool)
$10=115 (status report mask:01110011)
$11=0.020 (junction deviation, mm)
$12=0.002 (arc tolerance, mm)
$13=0 (report inches, bool)
$20=0 (soft limits, bool)
$21=0 (hard limits, bool)
$22=1 (homing cycle, bool)
$23=3 (homing dir invert mask:00000011)
$24=25.000 (homing feed, mm/min)
$25=750.000 (homing seek, mm/min)
$26=250 (homing debounce, msec)
$27=1.000 (homing pull-off, mm)
$30=1. (rpm max)
$31=0. (rpm min)
$100=40.000 (x, step/mm)
$101=40.000 (y, step/mm)
$102=188.976 (z, step/mm)
$110=8000.000 (x max rate, mm/min)
$111=8000.000 (y max rate, mm/min)
$112=500.000 (z max rate, mm/min)
$120=500.000 (x accel, mm/sec^2)
$121=500.000 (y accel, mm/sec^2)
$122=50.000 (z accel, mm/sec^2)
$130=790.000 (x max travel, mm)
$131=790.000 (y max travel, mm)
$132=100.000 (z max travel, mm)
Sorry Larry more patience from you please
Do I highlight the line, paste into console, edit and hit enter?
Cheers
Guy
No worries.
I don’t know much about Easel, I don’t use it. In the machine inspector there should be a line for entering commands. If you can find that you would just enter the text string “$23=1” without the quote marks. Do the $$ output again to make sure that it took effect.
Thanks Larry that certainly did the trick and lowered the frustration levels.
What software do you use? I was looking at Fusion 360.
Thanks again
Cheers
Guy
A lot of people use Fusion 360, I don’t know much about it.
I use Vcarve Pro and I have Rhino 5 for 3D stuff.
Thanks for the help
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