On the Mach site there is an screen set to Mach that allows
to set work cordinates and also do a Z zero at tool change. Go to http://www.machsupport.com/screens.php
and download screen set MachBlue by Big-Tex. This is an expansion of the
Mach Blue screen set that adds the abality to use a fixed touch off plate to
calculate the correct offset to zero the Z axis.
Here is the basic senero.
1. After power up the machine do a Referance All. This
sets machine coordinates.
2.
As some testers have expressed this is next best thing after tool changer.
i will take it from top as if you have clean Mach 3 install.
1. go to mach 3 website and download Blue screen for Mills and install it
2. unzip attachment and copy file "MachBlue-probing big tex ver2 INCH.set"
to Mach3 directory
3. copy content of sub folder "MachTestScreens" to mach3/bitmaps/MachTest
Sceens and replace existing
4. In Mach3 go to view load screens and select MachBlue-probing big tex ver2
INCH.set
5. follow instructions on video on first post.
Ernies touch probe still works if anyone wants to use it.
Recomedation is still is to set up M6Start in your profile setup fived plate
location.
This can be done in notepad just paste code end edit to your location. This
file is found in mach3/macros/"your profile"
Also I found that in General Config Distance mode must be set to Absolute.
M6Start Example:
Code("G53G0X46.25Y0.1Z-0.5")
While IsMoving()
Sleep 100
Wend
tool = GetSelectedTool()
SetCurrentTool( tool )
You are done!
Features:
-updated script in original touch off
-updated, fixed and cleaned up scripts behind initial Zero setup and Tool
change Zero setup
-changed graphic portion of screen and added laser zero functions since
routers do not need flood
-added hot keys Alt1 Alt2 Alt4 Alt5 etc as in original Mach3 screen set
-added hot keys Ctrl-Z for Initial Zero setup and Alt-Z for Tool Change Zero
setup
-added hot keys Ctrl-L for laser ON and Alt-L for Laser zero
Here is how laser zero works:
Connect laser to output of your choice on BOB and configure Mach3 in pots and
pins to correspond to given output.
I will also post tomorrow vendor for cheap but decent laser cross hair and pdf
of simple DIY schematic for voltage regulator as laser draws 3.5-5 V and some
breakout boards provide 12v. Also this will prevent to much power being drawn
and possibly destroying BOB. Laser zero will turn on laser, jog to desired
position where you would like setup XY point of origin for your working 0,0
point of orientation press laser zero. Machine retracts and moves to that
location turning laser off.
Just as I said I will add few things tomorrow if I got time such us cheap
setup for pendant grab file etc.