4'x8' RouteBot

[RouteBot]

Since my gantry is out of square when homed to the Y2 proximity switch on the left side of the gantry, I decided to home to both Y1 and Y2 proximity switches. These proximity switches ride on each side of the gantry. The flags are mounted at each end of the Y travel.

When I set the Y and A to home to Y2 and Y1 proximity switches it goes home, stops then starts stripping gears on the A side.

Here are my settings:




Here is a pic of the switch in the riser:



I can't find an example of sensors between the flags. I checked the wiring and confirmed that the home switches are lighting up the correct home lights on the diagnostic screen.

[ger21]

The Home Off. setting should be the same for both the Y and A axis.
In General Config, make sure "Home Slave with Master is NOT checked.

[RouteBot]

The Home Off. setting should be the same for both the Y and A axis.
In General Config, make sure "Home Slave with Master is NOT checked.

Before you replied I put a home off of -0 and 0 for Y and A. It still moved off of the switch and stripped the gears. Why does it move off the switch if it's set to 0? You say that the home off needs to be the same. So I need to make A negative even though it's not reversed. So maybe home off of -0 for both??

I'm getting tired of stripping gears. Hopefully, it's just a direction issue. The "Home Slave with Master" is not checked and was that way by default.

[ger21]

Actually, I don't believe that the home offset is the problem. The way that Mach3 works, is it travels towards the switch, and stops when the switch is tripped. It then reverses, and moves until the switch opens. This is your home position. The Home Offset is the value that's written to the DRO, not the amount it moves off the switch.

Try changing the Home Negative of the A axis to match the Y axis. Even though it's reversed, it's still homing in the negative direction.
If that's not it, there are two more things.
One, you may need to modify your homing script to do a RefCombination().
And two, if your not using the parallel port, your motion controller may have some homing settings you need to look at. (I don't have time right now to go back through the thread to see what you're using.)

[RouteBot]

Actually, I don't believe that the home offset is the problem. The way that Mach3 works, is it travels towards the switch, and stops when the switch is tripped. It then reverses, and moves until the switch opens. This is your home position. The Home Offset is the value that's written to the DRO, not the amount it moves off the switch.

Try changing the Home Negative of the A axis to match the Y axis. Even though it's reversed, it's still homing in the negative direction.
If that's not it, there are two more things.
One, you may need to modify your homing script to do a RefCombination().
And two, if your not using the parallel port, your motion controller may have some homing settings you need to look at. (I don't have time right now to go back through the thread to see what you're using.)

I have the Warp 9 ESS.

[ger21]

I've never used one, so I'm not sure how it handles slaved homing.

[RouteBot]

Here is a video of the router homing.



I have the springs on the pinions backed off quite a bit to prevent damage. I setup the ESS. It worked better as the distances off of home seemed to be correct. However it still gets screws up.

[ger21]

The ESS handles the homing, so you might want to ask on their forum.
There are a ton of people that use them, so it must be in the settings somewhere.

[hacker7]

The Moment we've ALL been waiting for...................It to move!!!!!!!!!! Been sitting on the edge of our seats
waiting for this beauty to run. You'll get the kinks worked out. I don't have any of the equipment you have so I
can't help you there. I'm still with a parallel port and my trusty Gecko g540 setup.
You've built an AWESOME machine in every aspect !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MajorTendonitis]

Very impressive build! Great colour too

[ynnek]

Magnificent build.

[RouteBot]

I cut my first real project. As long as the feed rate was under 150 it did good. I think I know what the problem is now. The CV wizard is not set up. So when I speed up to 216 the corners get rounded. Here is the result on the Mach4 screen.



If anyone knows how to set up the CV wizard feeds, please let me know. I'm tired of going slow . . .

The cart went together better than expected. Everything fit together perfectly with no modifications. I used 1/2" Baltic Birch. It's exactly what I needed and works perfectly!









Here is a link to the project plans: Build Your Own CNC Workstation Cart | Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories

[ger21]

New CV tuning wizard

[LeeWay]

Great job on an excellent machine. It is commendable that you stuck with it.
I think that you made some wise design changes in the beginning too. A few unique design aspects too. The gear motors being tucked away is perhaps the coolest.
I look forward to seeing it earn its keep.

[RouteBot]

New CV tuning wizard

This looks like what I need!

However, I entered a max of 400 and angle of 89 and it was still too fast. Now if I change it to a slower feed, the table in the CV is stuck at the fast settings. How do I reset the CV table? I even entered all 0's and it goes back to a start of 400.

[ger21]

I didn't actually read through that thread before I posted the link. That probably wasn't what you wanted.
I think you're only option is to manually enter all the different feedrates. Try entering maybe 100 for the 85-95 degree range, and do some tests.
I think this is a ridiculous method of CV control, and is one of the many reasons I'm not using Mach4.

[hacker7]

Did you ever figure out your homing issue???????????

[ger21]

Not sure if this is the same, but I think this is what I had intended to post about the CV angles.
Erratic Feedrate When Cutting Spline Lines

[RouteBot]

Did you ever figure out your homing issue???????????

No, I gave up on it for now. I got tired of stripping gears!

[RouteBot]

I saw that. As soon as I have time I will play with the CV settings and see what happens.