Automatic Tool Length Sensor - Revision history

Admin: /* Vectric CAM software */ remove old directions

2019-01-22T14:36:19Z

‎Vectric CAM software: remove old directions

Admin: /* Vectric CAM software */ update link

2019-01-22T14:35:39Z

‎Vectric CAM software: update link

Admin: /* Usage */

2018-10-18T23:52:52Z

‎Usage

Admin: /* Code */

2018-10-18T13:53:10Z

‎Code

Admin at 04:25, 29 August 2018

2018-08-29T04:25:26Z

Admin: /* Retrofitting an Existing Machine */

2018-08-29T04:09:00Z

‎Retrofitting an Existing Machine

Admin: /* Step-by-step */

2018-08-01T12:55:18Z

‎Step-by-step

Admin at 01:34, 1 August 2018

2018-08-01T01:34:18Z

Admin: /* Step-by-step */ fixed link

2018-08-01T01:28:21Z

‎Step-by-step: fixed link

Admin at 00:22, 1 August 2018

2018-08-01T00:22:21Z

@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 === Vectric CAM software ===
-* [[Media:PROBOTIX_LinuxCNC_ATLaS_G64_Arc_Inch_TTS.zip]] - When the page loads, right click and choose "save page as"
+* [[Media:PROBOTIX_LinuxCNC_ATLaS_G64_Arc_Inch_TTS.zip]]
 * Then move that file into the PostP folder on your PC.

@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 === Vectric CAM software ===
-* [[Media:PROBOTIX_LinuxCNC_ATLaS_G64_Arc_Inch_TTS.pp]] - When the page loads, right click and choose "save page as"
+* [[Media:PROBOTIX_LinuxCNC_ATLaS_G64_Arc_Inch_TTS.zip]] - When the page loads, right click and choose "save page as"
 * Then move that file into the PostP folder on your PC.

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 To use the ATLaS, your CAM post-processor will need to be modified such that the tool change function is no longer g-code M6. The tool change function typically looks like this:
-:<code>M6 T1</code>
+:<code>T1 M6</code>
 The new tool change function will look like this:

@@ Line 79: / Line 79: @@
 o100 SUB
-(#1 tool number is passed from CALL)
+(#1 tool number as passed from CALL)
 #<_ATLAS_X> = -0.075                            (Absolute machine X position for tool sensor)
 #<_ATLAS_Y> = 3.5533                            (Absolute machine Y position for tool sensor)
 #<_MULTIPLIER> = 1                              (1 for INCH, 25.4 for MM)
 #<_Z_MIN> = 5                                   (maximum Z- probe search distance)
+#<_X_PARK> = REPLACE_X_PARK
-						(#5400 is current tool number)
-						(#1 must be passed as tool number)
 M5 M9						(turn off spindle and shop vac)
@@ Line 92: / Line 90: @@
 G53 G90 G0 Z0 					(retract z)
 o101 if [#1 NE #5400] 				(if tool number has changed)
-G53 G0 XREPLACE_X_PARK Y0			(drive out to front of machine)
+	G53 G0 X#<_X_PARK> Y0			(drive out to front of machine)
-T#1 M6 						(tool change prompt)
+	T#1 M6 					(tool change prompt)
 o101 endif
@@ Line 104: / Line 103: @@
 G91 X[2 * #<_MULTIPLIER>]			(move over 2 inches to right)
 G90						(jump back into absolute mode)
 </pre>

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:ATLaS_1.jpg|thumb|ATLaS Automatic Tool Length Sensor]]
 When using multiple tools on a CNC operation the Z-axis is always the goofy axis because, for instance, the lengths of the tools are all different and the distance the tool is inserted into the collet can vary widely - both intentionally and unintentionally. With conventional CNC routing each tool operation has to be done in a separate g-code file, with each tool needing to be touched-off in the Z-axis on each tool change.
-The new  Automatic Tool Length Sensor (ATLaS) radically optimizes the tool change process. With the tool length sensor, you will load the first tool, then the machine will capture the tool length with the sensor before you touch that tool off to the top of the part. This will establish the Z-axis origin and you will only have to touch off the top of the part this one time. On each tool change, the machine will shut off the spindle and drive out to the front of the machine to allow for easy tool change access. The machine will then drive over until it is above the tool sensor, will bounce off of that sensor, will then continue with the cutting process using the new compensated tool length offset.
+The new ATLaS radically optimizes the tool change process. With the tool length sensor, you will load the first tool, then the machine will capture the tool length with the sensor before you touch that tool off to the top of the part. This will establish the Z-axis origin and you will only have to touch off the top of the part this one time. On each tool change, the machine will shut off the spindle and drive out to the front of the machine to allow for easy tool change access. The machine will then drive over until it is above the tool sensor, will bounce off of that sensor, will then continue with the cutting process using the new compensated tool length offset.
 The tool sensor can measure tools up to 5/8" diameter. You can still use larger tools if you need, but you will not be able to use the ATLaS when you do as the sensor sits just below the surface of the spoil board. You can make use of that area of the table if you need, but again you will not be able to use the ATLaS.

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:09, 29 August 2018
Line 64:		Line 64:

	<div class="warningbox">'''IMPORTANT:''' If you choose to mount the sensor anywhere other than the location that we provided, then you will need to modify your <code>100.ngc</code> file manually as the location of the sensor is hard-coded in that file now.</div>		<div class="warningbox">'''IMPORTANT:''' If you choose to mount the sensor anywhere other than the location that we provided, then you will need to modify your <code>100.ngc</code> file manually as the location of the sensor is hard-coded in that file now.</div>
		+
		+	=== Configuration ===
		+	You will need to reconfigure LinuxCNC for your machine to make use of the tool sensor. Follow the configuration instructions here: [[LinuxCNC Configurator]]
		+	* The new configuration will place a Probe LED on the right hand panel of the screen. Depress the plunger on the probe and make sure the indicator responds before proceeding.

	== Code ==		== Code ==

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 # Activate the software by pressing the orange machine power button (or F2)
 # Home the machine by clicking {{AxisButton|Home All}} or [[File:tool_home.gif]]
-# Click the {{AxisButton|Measure 1st Tool}} button. (see [[Probotix Axis Interface]])
+# Click the {{AxisButton|Load 1st Tool}} or {{AxisButton|Measure 1st Tool}} button. (see [[Probotix Axis Interface]])
 #* This will bring the spindle out to the front of the machine and prompt you to load Tool #1
 #* You don't have to actually use Tool #1, you may have another tool you prefer to do your touch-offs with, if so then load that tool.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[image:ATLaS_1.jpg|thumb|ATLaS Automatic Tool Length Sensor]]
+[[File:ATLaS_1.jpg|thumb|ATLaS Automatic Tool Length Sensor]]
 When using multiple tools on a CNC operation the Z-axis is always the goofy axis because, for instance, the lengths of the tools are all different and the distance the tool is inserted into the collet can vary widely - both intentionally and unintentionally. With conventional CNC routing each tool operation has to be done in a separate g-code file, with each tool needing to be touched-off in the Z-axis on each tool change.
@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 # After you click continue, it will drive over and measure the length of the new tool and continue with the next cutting operation.
-NOTE: If you change your spindle/spindle mount, the Y position may be different and you may need to adjust the ATLaS position as noted [[#Not centered over ATLaS| below]].
+<div class="warningbox">'''IMPORTANT:''' If you change your spindle/spindle mount, the Y position may be different and you may need to adjust the ATLaS position as noted [[#Not centered over ATLaS| below]].</div>
 == Post Processors ==

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 When using multiple tools on a CNC operation the Z-axis is always the goofy axis because, for instance, the lengths of the tools are all different and the distance the tool is inserted into the collet can vary widely - both intentionally and unintentionally. With conventional CNC routing each tool operation has to be done in a separate g-code file, with each tool needing to be touched-off in the Z-axis on each tool change.
-The new  Automatic Tool Length Sensor (ATLaS) radically optimizes the tool change process. With the tool length sensor, you will load the first tool, then the machine will capture the tool length with the sensor before you touch that tool off to the top of the part. This will establish the z-axis origin and you will only have to touch off the top of the part this one time. On each tool change, the machine will shut off the spindle and drive out to the front of the machine to allow for easy tool change access. The machine will then drive over until it is above the tool sensor, will bounce off of that sensor, will then continue with the cutting process using the new compensated tool length offset.
+The new  Automatic Tool Length Sensor (ATLaS) radically optimizes the tool change process. With the tool length sensor, you will load the first tool, then the machine will capture the tool length with the sensor before you touch that tool off to the top of the part. This will establish the Z-axis origin and you will only have to touch off the top of the part this one time. On each tool change, the machine will shut off the spindle and drive out to the front of the machine to allow for easy tool change access. The machine will then drive over until it is above the tool sensor, will bounce off of that sensor, will then continue with the cutting process using the new compensated tool length offset.
 The tool sensor can measure tools up to 5/8" diameter. You can still use larger tools if you need, but you will not be able to use the ATLaS when you do as the sensor sits just below the surface of the spoil board. You can make use of that area of the table if you need, but again you will not be able to use the ATLaS.
@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 The <code>o100</code> subroutine handles loading of the G43 tool length compensation, so if the post processor is inserting G43s, they will need to be removed as well.
-We will post modified post processors here on the wiki as we compile them. Please contact us if you need help modifying a post processor.
+=== Step-by-step ===
 == Installation ==
@@ Line 23: / Line 58: @@
 The ATLaS will plug into the secondary parallel port connector on the back of the control PC. If your ATLaS was not factory installed you will need to [[LinuxCNC Configurator| re-configure]] your machine for its usage.
 == Code ==
@@ Line 67: / Line 108: @@
 # Edit the line <code>#<_ATLAS_Y></code> to equal the Y location you previously found.
 # Don't forget to save the <code>100.ngc</code> file for the change to take place.