IH limits....

[pete from TN]

Just wondering if you guys seem to have the optical limit switches for the Z axis mounted at the top of the column or the bottom of the column pointing up? I am trying to get my limits installed on my RF45 and it seems like the Z axis might be less prone to getting swarf and coolant inside it if it is at the top of the column as opposed to the base of it but then the actuator block needs to be near the bottom of the Z slide to allow enough travel for max Z. Any ideas and pics would be appreciated...peace

[HimyKabibble]

Originally Posted by pete from TN Just wondering if you guys seem to have the optical limit switches for the Z axis mounted at the top of the column or the bottom of the column pointing up? I am trying to get my limits installed on my RF45 and it seems like the Z axis might be less prone to getting swarf and coolant inside it if it is at the top of the column as opposed to the base of it but then the actuator block needs to be near the bottom of the Z slide to allow enough travel for max Z. Any ideas and pics would be appreciated...peace

Pete,

I believe Bob Warfield has pictures posted on his website (www.cnccookbook.com) of how he mounted his.

Regards,
Ray L.

[Runner4404spd]

i have my limit switches higher on the column and the trigger mounted low. in reality the low limit switch won't do much and the upper is used for homing. the low limit, won't take any effect because chances are good the tool will crash into the table before hitting the limit anyway.

[pete from TN]

Actually I have been all over the IH build pics at Bobs site and was looking for other options. I looked at IH's website and it seems they put theirs at the top of the column in the pics there and it seemed more out of the way of swarf and coolant that way so this is what I came up with.....hope this is okay....sorry for the dark pics....

I still need to tap the hole in the side of the one I had to make for the hose barb and install the guts... interesting design...

The switches are real nice and I suppose they will be accurate this way I hope. If nothing else they should keep me from crashing and ruining another gecko...haha peace

[TOTALLYRC]

Originally Posted by pete from TN Actually I have been all over the IH build pics at Bobs site and was looking for other options. I looked at IH's website and it seems they put theirs at the top of the column in the pics there and it seemed more out of the way of swarf and coolant that way so this is what I came up with.....hope this is okay....sorry for the dark pics.... I still need to tap the hole in the side of the one I had to make for the hose barb and install the guts... interesting design... The switches are real nice and I suppose they will be accurate this way I hope. If nothing else they should keep me from crashing and ruining another gecko...haha peace

The society for the prevention of cruelty to Geckos (SPCG) requires that you cease and desist in your desicration of the sacred Gecko drive.
Your indescriminate drive killing and cavalier attitude toward such activities will not be tolerated.
G320s are now on the endeangered species list with the advent of a new breed of drive(g320x).

We at the SPCG do not use an X lightly but in this case it is appropriate.

The cause for the eventual demise of the G320 is unknown but apparently Mariss and the gang were having great difficulty getting the G320s to mate in captivity any longer and were able to breed a better stronger drive after years of painstaking reasearch.
We at the SPCG of course do not in any way downplay the valuable contributions the G320 has made over the years.


You are hearby sentenced to learing how to run your machine and proper use of limit switches.
Attempts at getting around this decree by swapping out drives will be punninshed by the forced application of parametric programing and the use of VB script.
Future comunication will be done by black helicopter and will not be pretty.

Mike

[pete from TN]

man do I hear that.... and it all started when I thought gee I could build my own cnc machine and make a fortune!!! haha

That is some funny stuff right there man....

Just wondering how most of you guys have your limits configured. Do you put all your limits on one pin for home and one for limit or do you have individual pins designated? peace

[Bubba]

As I use limitsashome, I have three pins dedicated. One for each axis.
During the appropriate function, the controller only knows it is looking for either a limit or a home switch and acts appropriately.

[HimyKabibble]

Originally Posted by Bubba As I use limitsashome, I have three pins dedicated. One for each axis. During the appropriate function, the controller only knows it is looking for either a limit or a home switch and acts appropriately.

Which is why you *can* connect all the home switches to a single input - Mach only drives one axis at a time when homing, so only one switch at a time *can* "phone home" while Mach is homing.

Regards,
Ray L.

[Bubba]

Not everyone uses Mach!

[HimyKabibble]

Originally Posted by Bubba Not everyone uses Mach!

No, but Pete does, and he's the one that asked the question....

Regards,
Ray L.

[pete from TN]

I asked over on the RF45 registry about this but since you responded here, I tried to order those optical sensors and they said they were a non stock item and you gotta special order in 100 quantity for 4.00 a piece. Got any idea where I can get a suitable replacement? peace

Art, and ray, I appreciate your responses, I was just looking for alternative reponses as I already know your answers. Thanks tho.... There is always more than one way to do something...peace

[HimyKabibble]

Originally Posted by pete from TN I asked over on the RF45 registry about this but since you responded here, I tried to order those optical sensors and they said they were a non stock item and you gotta special order in 100 quantity for 4.00 a piece. Got any idea where I can get a suitable replacement? peace Art, and ray, I appreciate your responses, I was just looking for alternative reponses as I already know your answers. Thanks tho.... There is always more than one way to do something...peace

Pete,

Mouser claims to have then in stock for $3 each:

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...2OKIPe6bBi0%3d

Regards,
Ray L.