Ok, thanks Rob. I know I’m dreaming, but it would be nice if the user could select which way it operates. When I hit ‘Run’, I’d like it to run. Thanks again for the great upgrade!
Just ran a job which I plan(ned) on running a few times. Ran the first time with bitsetter enabled, it measured the endmill ran the program and ended at it’s G28 position. I then put the new part in and turned the bitsetter off so it wouldn’t measure every time. When it ran it the next time the first thing it did was max out the Z (HDZ), smash the limit switch and then run the 18 second program about 3 inches above the part which I let finish which it did by trying to home the machine again. It was not able to because the limit switch had the locating tab broken off and was pushed out of the way.
Is there something I’m missing about how it should operate (bitsetter/no bitsetter) and has this been an issue for anyone else?
From my understanding if you you plan to use or not use the bit setter you will always have to re-zero your Z whenever you enable or disable unless you still have the same bit installed and never took it out.
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well since I was running the same op 30 seconds later I never changed the bit and it never told me to zero
Also the Z limit switch is now damaged and no longer functions. The machine will not home. Tested with my Fluke.
Actually I think I know what the problem is, just don’t exactly know how to explain it.
The issue is that there is no reason to enabling and disabling the bitsetter if it doesn’t function normally either way. I don’t see the reason to continually measure the end mill if nothing has changed and I was under the impression that was the purpose of being able to enable and disable the bitsetter, especially when specifically pointing out that the location won’t be lose when disabling/enabling.
Honestly what it really boils down to and someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but if you know the job you’re going to be doing only requires one tool to do all toolpaths, disable the bit setter first and foremost. Only use the bit setter when you have multiple tools for one gcode file.
But are you using only 1 tool for whatever it is that you are cutting multiples of?
yes, nothing changed. 1 tool.
by the way if anyone is ever looking this is the limit switch.
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/omron-electronics-inc-emc-div/D2QWC003D/Z8551-ND/4947705
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I think your perception of how it’s supposed to work is not correct. It’s only purpose is for changing between more than 1 tool for a single gcode file. Like maybe the 1st operation calls for a 1/4" single flute endmill pocket cut, then the next is a 1/4" chamfer mill to break the edges.
It performs as followed:
- Insert tool # (?).
- X moves to bit setter location and lowers the Z axis to measure the first tool.
- Machine moves back to front center.
- Jog machine to your XYZ datum point and zero all your axis.
- Run your job.
- First toolpath finishes with the the 1/4" single flute endmill.
- Machine again comes front center and prompts you for a tool change to your 1/4" chamfer mill.
- Load the tool and click continue.
- Same as step #2 but instead it’s measuring the offset difference from the first tool.
- The machine should go back and continue the job.
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it was a single operation, that used 1 tool, took 18 seconds. Nothing changed.
If it’s a single operation disable the bit setter BEFORE hitting the “initialize machine” tab.
I think you’re missing something. I turned the machine on, connected, initialized, loaded my end mill and the bitsetter measured it. I zeroed the machine and loaded my code. I ran the program and it finished. I swapped the parts and went to settings and disabled the bitsetter so it wouldn’t measure the end mill AGAIN because that’s a waste of time since nothing changed. Ran it again and had issues.
Are you saying to continue as I wanted, I should have run it once, turned the machine off/on then went to settings disabled it then initialized the machine and then ran the program again?
Here is a video I took of the operation actually being completed. This is what I was going to run again, 3 more times.
once you disable the bitsetter, you should zero to the work item.
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The whole purpose of my post is to find out why? Nothing changed.
I’m gonna have to hook my computer up and recreate what happened to you. I know what happened. I just can’t explain it, but maybe I can take a video of it happening. @robgrz can probably explain, but I believe a change happens with Z height when you switch between using the bit setter and not using it. If you change it between jobs when doing a batch of the same parts something changes with the Z axis if I’m not mistaken. I noticed it myself which is why Rob said “make sure you rezero your Z axis when changing between bit setter enabled or disabled”.
@jmd_cnc It just hit me. I know what happened. The bit setter is literally no different from the touch probe. Think about it, they both plug into the same spot. The Carbide board doesn’t know the difference between which is the bit setter and which is the solid aluminum probe block. The only difference is that the bit setter has a spring loaded plunger to eliminate a crash as it rapids down fast and then follows up with a slow precision touch. Once it touches off and makes a circuit it automatically sets a Z-0 on the top of the bit setter. Once it does that your next order of operation is to manually set your XYZ zero location in relation to your material. Once you’ve established that it stores that new Z-0 location to your material so that any of the next tools you install (different tools) it will automatically go to the bit setter, measure the new tools length in relation to the previous tools length so that it can continue the job where you zeroed off on your material surface. So when you disable the bit setter, it’s thinking Z-0 is the top of the bit setter when depressed.
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Actually I think they refer to it as a G54. The bit setter is your Z-0, but your material XYZ-0 is your G54. Can’t remember what it’s called. WCS (work coordinate system) I believe. You can zero Z a foot away from the work, but the WCS (G54) is in a whole different location.