Limit switches hook-up.

Joey,

You really have all you need on the Xylotex board.

That board does not have a parallel port connector, so you would wire your switches directly to it. You can do the same thing with the xylotex. Basically, this board would provide the 5 volts you need and the pull up resistors if they are necessary, and that is it.

Are you using Mach? Both 2 and 3 will recognize inputs for both limit and home switches. There are screw down sockets on the xylotex board for all the parallel pin locations as well as the 5 volt power source (i think?)

Anyway, I don't use limit switches, but I have tried to use home switches, but have not been successful with them yet. I haven't had any time in quite a while. The reason for the trouble is the switches I have used. About the only switches that are accurate enough to be good home switches are optical switches. I have a few of them now, but I just haven't made the time to hook them up. The mechanical switches are just not consistent enough to properly locate the axis the same way every time.


You should go to the xylotex forum and you will find plenty of answers.



I hope that helps, but if you still have any questions, call me and I will help you with what I know.


Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
877-399-9901
 
Thanks Royce.
I might just set the soft limits and stick with them.
Mark the X axis and have a meter nearby to measure all woods.

I thought cnc was just plug and play.:eek:
Still doing it caveman style, writing g-codes manually.:eek:
But, got some shafts turned today.
Doing one as I type.
 
Believe me, I know what you mean!

Remember, limit switches are just crash preventers! They don't tell your system where the machine actually is.

Home switches are what the software will use to locate the various axis' when you tell it to home.

Congrats on turning the shafts! It's a good feeling! I should know, I have turned a few of them! :wink:


Royce Bunnell
 
Thnx Royce.
My humble cnc taperer has given me a lot of ideas for the next one.

I just end all programs with G28 to save me some headaches.
I think an indicator semi-permanently mounted would help .
I'm gonna mount one.
 
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Joey,

I don't use G28, if I don't have home switches. The "Home" is where the machine determines "Home" is when you use the "Homing" function. All I do is program the last move to go back to the starting point, and then use a G30 to end the routine and rewind. Then when i restart the program for the next piece, the machine is already in the right place.


On most of my machines, the the starting point is X=0 and Y=1. X represents the length of the cue shaft, and Y represents the Radius. So when Y is at 1, it is at a diameter of 2. On my 4 blade saw machine I run it back a little further, just to get those blades out of the way!


The first machine I plan on using home switches is a 2 spindle machine I built. The home switches will be optical sensors that are consistent to within one micron! That way I know that home will be home! All I need is the time!


Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
 
Thnx RB.
I do the same with YO. It's really .500 from final pass. I use G92 Y.010 if I want it .020 oversized and so.
I have a little backlash. I think I might do Y-.100 at the end of the run and dwell there for a second before going back to X0YO.
 
limit switches

Hey Joey, hows it been going? I might be able to help you (beginner to beginner!). I think if the approach speed and the limit switches are the correct ones, you should be able to use limit switches. I am running Mach 3 presently, and it appears to be running accuratly. Am I understanding that you have an open system now? If so, you would be wise to use some type of mechanical stop to verify your G28. If you do use a working home/limit switch, make sure it is an always on type, you might save yourself a huge headache later. Ron at K2 is an awsome resource that is right next to you if I can't help. Feel free to call if I can help, Kent. PM sent:thumbup:
 
KD Cues said:
Hey Joey, hows it been going? I might be able to help you (beginner to beginner!). I think if the approach speed and the limit switches are the correct ones, you should be able to use limit switches. I am running Mach 3 presently, and it appears to be running accuratly. Am I understanding that you have an open system now? If so, you would be wise to use some type of mechanical stop to verify your G28. If you do use a working home/limit switch, make sure it is an always on type, you might save yourself a huge headache later. Ron at K2 is an awsome resource that is right next to you if I can't help. Feel free to call if I can help, Kent. PM sent:thumbup:
Click to expand...
Thanks KD.
I just set my soft limits yesterday and am ok by that.
The minus X is what I'm worried about but the soft limits ( I still have caveman Mach2 ) is ok.
I don't use the Z axis right now.
As far as speed, the machine would top at F100 on me and I have not had use for anything over F30.
I talked to run about getting a mill and he said he's on it.:thumbup:
 
> I'm still really limited in my CNC experience,even more as far as G-code programming. To be honest,G28 SCARES me.

On the Haas TL-1 at school,the "home" position is as far to the right end of the bed as the carriage can go,since the tailstock only retracts so far,and with the carriage drawn all the way back to the stops.

If someone mistakenly used G28 and the tailstock was engaged in the end of a part,the carriage is going to knock it right out of the part,or break something,or BOTH. The rapid motion on that machine is set to a limit of 800 IPM by default,I think. If it's not,the standard rapid speed is 2000 IPM according to the manual. Maybe it's just me being inexperienced,but that is freakishly fast. Tommy D.
 
Tommy-D said:
> I'm still really limited in my CNC experience,even more as far as G-code programming. To be honest,G28 SCARES me.

On the Haas TL-1 at school,the "home" position is as far to the right end of the bed as the carriage can go,since the tailstock only retracts so far,and with the carriage drawn all the way back to the stops.

If someone mistakenly used G28 and the tailstock was engaged in the end of a part,the carriage is going to knock it right out of the part,or break something,or BOTH. The rapid motion on that machine is set to a limit of 800 IPM by default,I think. If it's not,the standard rapid speed is 2000 IPM according to the manual. Maybe it's just me being inexperienced,but that is freakishly fast. Tommy D.
Click to expand...
There you go.
A good case of limit switch mounted on top of the tailstock .:eek:
Believe me I've thought of it.
 
Hi Joey, You probably don't want Y 0, as that is in the centerline of the cue.
Are you doing all this on a mill type set up? As x y are mill table positions, and z the quill. But in lathes, x 0 is CL of the lathe and z goes from the tailstock to the chuck.
To repeat back to the start , we use m30 on hardinge lathes. But just for a 1 off just go m02 to finish.
Well done on making your own shafts with the setup you have made.

Neil
 
conetip said:
Hi Joey, You probably don't want Y 0, as that is in the centerline of the cue.
Are you doing all this on a mill type set up? As x y are mill table positions, and z the quill. But in lathes, x 0 is CL of the lathe and z goes from the tailstock to the chuck.
To repeat back to the start , we use m30 on hardinge lathes. But just for a 1 off just go m02 to finish.
Well done on making your own shafts with the setup you have made.

Neil
Click to expand...
Doing this on a butt/shaft turner but using Mach 2 Mill.
The Y0 is 1 inch away from centerline.
X0 is at the tip of the dead center.
I start all runs with X-.150 Y-.150 ( inches ).
Edwin built me the machine and I anchored a turner from CH.
 
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Joey,

What conetip is saying is consistent with what we do. The controller does not matter.

For us, y=0 is the center line of the cue shaft. y=.25 would cut a diameter of .500". With this setup, I can write code rather easily because I always know that double the Y is my diameter. I have considered changing my step resoultion to half, and then the y would equal my diameter. But what we have been doing for years works well for us.

By ending all my programs with a:

G0 Xo Y1
M30

I end up going to my start position for the next run, then stop and rewind. This way I don't have to worry about where the machine will go as soon as I start the next program.

I hope that helps!


Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
 
RBC said:
Joey,

What conetip is saying is consistent with what we do. The controller does not matter.

For us, y=0 is the center line of the cue shaft. y=.25 would cut a diameter of .500". With this setup, I can write code rather easily because I always know that double the Y is my diameter. I have considered changing my step resoultion to half, and then the y would equal my diameter. But what we have been doing for years works well for us.

By ending all my programs with a:

G0 Xo Y1
M30

I end up going to my start position for the next run, then stop and rewind. This way I don't have to worry about where the machine will go as soon as I start the next program.

I hope that helps!


Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
Click to expand...
Got that. Thnx.
:)
That'd be easy to set too. Take a pass, measure the diam of the part divided by two will the dead point of Y.
 
RBC said:
Joey,

What conetip is saying is consistent with what we do. The controller does not matter.

For us, y=0 is the center line of the cue shaft. y=.25 would cut a diameter of .500". With this setup, I can write code rather easily because I always know that double the Y is my diameter. I have considered changing my step resoultion to half, and then the y would equal my diameter. But what we have been doing for years works well for us.

By ending all my programs with a:

G0 Xo Y1
M30

I end up going to my start position for the next run, then stop and rewind. This way I don't have to worry about where the machine will go as soon as I start the next program.

I hope that helps!


Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
Click to expand...

Royce, just busting your chops. You will want to command as follows:

G0 y1.
G0 X0.
M30

I would guess this is the actual way you have programe your machine. Putting both x and y commands on the same line would cause a very small change in y over the entire travle of x. I actually preffer an M01 optional stop befor I move the y axis so that I can change to DRO on the fly to match my shaft diamter. This for me works better than using offsets. I by the way am using 1/2 steps for y. Mach3 has a loader that I use for a diffent setup. This works great if you are using the same machine for inlays as well.

By the way Royce, put a Kamui Medium soft tip on my OB-2. What a great combonation. I am almost getting too much english now. I am extremely happy with this new shaft. Thanks a bunch.


Joey, can you tell us why you have not moved up to Mach3 yet. I would guess you will know how to set up.

Jim.
 
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Royce, just busting your chops. You will want to command as follows:

G0 y1.
G0 X0.
M30

I would guess this is the actual way you have programe your machine. Putting both x and y commands on the same line would cause a very small change in y over the entire travle of x. I actually preffer an M01 optional stop befor I move the y axis so that I can change to DRO on the fly to match my shaft diamter. This for me works better than using offsets. I by the way am using 1/2 steps for y. Mach3 has a loader that I use for a diffent setup. This works great if you are using the same machine for inlays as well.
Greenies for that!
I take it you don't use G92 ( say G92 Y.010 to go .020 over )?
I do use G4 P2 at the end of a X and Y runs. Thinking the machine might need that pause.




Joey, can you tell us why you have not moved up to Mach3 yet. I would guess you will know how to set up.

Jim.
Click to expand...
Mach3 is coming.
 
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Joey,

Actually, I move the y out a little before I rapid back to x0 y1, but I do put them both in the same line.

I don't use any offsets. All my machine moves for multiple passes are all in the program code. Remember, I am not running these machines myself. I wrote the code so that the operator can put a part on the machine, start the program and let it finish, then unload the machine and start over. While this machine is running, he is loading and starting several other machines doing the same thing. I don't even have keyboards on my machines. I have a small rubber keypad that has the keys programed to what we need. We also use trackballs that are mounted to the machine so we don't have to mess with a mouse. The most recent machine I built cuts 2 parts at a time from one set of movements and is basically in a closet sized box on casters. All you hook up is a dust collector hose and a single 110 plug and you are ready to go.

I try to keep the commands and DRO changes to a minimum. You have to keep in mind that we make several thousand passes each day. Keeping human error out is the hardest thing.

I have different programs for each step of our process, so when we go to the next step, we just load the next program, run all the parts, and move on to the next step. Also, we don't do any inlay work, so our machines are, for the most part, just turning stations.


Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
 
RBC said:
Joey,

Actually, I move the y out a little before I rapid back to x0 y1, but I do put them both in the same line.

I don't use any offsets. All my machine moves for multiple passes are all in the program code. Remember, I am not running these machines myself. I wrote the code so that the operator can put a part on the machine, start the program and let it finish, then unload the machine and start over. While this machine is running, he is loading and starting several other machines doing the same thing. I don't even have keyboards on my machines. I have a small rubber keypad that has the keys programed to what we need. We also use trackballs that are mounted to the machine so we don't have to mess with a mouse. The most recent machine I built cuts 2 parts at a time from one set of movements and is basically in a closet sized box on casters. All you hook up is a dust collector hose and a single 110 plug and you are ready to go.

I try to keep the commands and DRO changes to a minimum. You have to keep in mind that we make several thousand passes each day. Keeping human error out is the hardest thing.

I have different programs for each step of our process, so when we go to the next step, we just load the next program, run all the parts, and move on to the next step. Also, we don't do any inlay work, so our machines are, for the most part, just turning stations.


Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
Click to expand...

Wow, I simulated the way you are programming. Cutting 10 shafts with a straight taper. The program actually ran 9 seconds faster. Any gues as to why that would happen? Is it due to the extra time it would take y to rapid back to safe zone? I don't think so. Just curious what you think Royce. There is a real explanation. Let me know what you think.

Jim.
 
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