Limit switches

[crob09]

Hi,

Currently I am using a control board and breakout board assembly sold by SOC Robotics for one of my home built projects.
I have a couple of mechanical limit switches setup with no problems and I have been using the MK4 and MM160's for a while now with no problems.

My question is how do I connect other sensors and have them work with my CAM software Mach3?
Do I need another CAM software or do I need to write something for myself in VB.NET for a Phidgets IO board?

Thanks for any help.

[brtech]

What kind of sensors and what do you want to do with them?

The only issue that usually befuddles Mach 3/breakout board users is the limited number of inputs. The usual answer is to use multiple home/limit switches on one input. Unless you have a double X axis (4 axis, two drives on X), you can get away with as little as one input for all home/limit switches.

There is only a switch (binary) input on the basic breakout boards. The only inputs Mach deals with natively are the home/limits. Various add ons use different inputs, some of which (like modbus) can have values other than on/off.

[crob09]

Thanks that clears things up! I had no idea that I could connect a few limit swites up to the same pins on the board, I figured each axis needs it's own switch.
In the future I would like to expand on the machine and have it load raw product using gravity (maybe) and a few sensors to determin if the part is where it needs to be. Example would be a sensor to determin if the material is clear from the cutting area after that step has been finished and to make sure raw material has filled the finished parts location.
I was thinking two sensors should do the trick, next question is how do I program Mach3 for this? ....


Thanks!

Rob

Also just want to note that I will have a Forum setup soon, probably by Wed 11 2012 if anyone is interested.

[brtech]

Mach will home one axis at a time if you are sharing switches.

Since the only thing a limit switch does is turn off the system (E-Stop effectively), you can share them all. And sharing limit/home switches is simple.

If you have a double drive X, it's useful to have the A axis (2nd X drive) on a separate home from X, because then Mach will help you square the axis.

Sure, you can use this info on your site.

Have you seen the Electronic Home Switches Made Easy thread?

[crob09]

No I haven't looked at that thread but I will have to.

Thanks for all your help and for explaining things! I will post my findings.