Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.

Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.

  1. #1
    Registered
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    9
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.

    Hi.

    My name is Ed and I'm new to CNC machining. I own a Sherline 5400 mill (and a long bed Sherline lathe) and have just converted them both to CNC. I have a DeepGrove1, 4 axis controller box with Gecko 540's and 270oz nema 23 motors. I'm running Mach 3 and Mill Wizard. I also have a Soigeneris SSENC-1 Ethernet SmoothStepper System as well.

    My question is this. Being new to CNC (translation: I know very little), I've
    heard that on these smaller mils/Lathes, that you don't need to put Homing Switches on then, but you can use Soft limits to setup your machine coordinates. Is that so? I have my mill's motors on, have gone through doing my "Motor Tuning, and now I'm ready to setup soft limits. Could someone familiar with a Sherline setup like mine, provide me with a little help completing mine? I've read the Mach 3 pdf, and watched a bunch of video's about it, but they don't relate to my setup. I'd really appreciate it.

    According to the Sherline Mill's site, my mill's travel spec's are as follow': • X axis Travel: 8.68" • Y axis Travel; 5.00" • Z axis Travel: 6.25

    Thank you.

    -Ed/emojo5


    Similar Threads:


  2. #2
    Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    347
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.

    from what little i know you can not have soft limits without homing limits enabled..otherwise machine has no idea where to set soft limits



  3. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    1516
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.

    Yes you can set soft limits without having any physical switches at all fitted.
    Pick a point where you want home to be and set soft limits according to that.
    The downside is if you have a crash or lost steps you have to re-locate where zero point was by hand (guesstimation).

    I have no home or limit switches myself at present. My soft limits warn me if my part will exceed the travel.
    I've had to reposition twice by guesswork so far.



  4. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    347
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Guess it all depends on your controller

    Grbl controller has to have homing switches to use soft limits



  5. #5
    Member CitizenOfDreams's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1267
    Downloads
    4
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.

    dazp1976 is correct, you can use soft limits in Mach3 without having home switches.

    The easiest way is to use the machine's physical limits as your homing points.



  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    347
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    How would you set soft limits in mach3.without homing?..would you have to manually set each time you open mach3?..or can it be done once and mach 3 remembers msch coord each time open and close mach3?

    I may try it...although soft limits dont prevent most reasons for crashes it can prevent minor booboos like operator error

    Last edited by Shelby5041; 08-13-2021 at 05:00 AM.


  7. #7
    Member CitizenOfDreams's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1267
    Downloads
    4
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.

    Quote Originally Posted by Shelby5041 View Post
    How would you set soft limits in mach3.without homing?..would you have to manually set each time you open mach3?..similar to homing sequence?
    The "Config - Homing/Limits" menu is pretty self-explanatory.

    "Reversed" - leave this unchecked. Not sure what exactly it does, but I have never used it.
    "Soft Max" - this is your maximum coordinate value, e.g. 8.68" for the X axis of the Sherline mill from the original post.
    "Soft Min" - minimum coordinate value, usually 0.
    "Slow Zone" - the distance from the soft limit where the machine will start slowing down during jogging.
    "Home Offset" - usually 0, unless your home switch is located somewhere in the middle of the axis.
    "Home Negative" - check if your home switch is located at the minimum coordinate. Uncheck if the home switch is at the maximum coordinate.
    "Auto Zero" - resets the machine coordinates when you do the homing. Leave it checked.
    "Speed %" - the speed during automatic homing.

    To home the machine manually, jog it to where you home switches would be and press the "Ref all home" button.

    If you don't have any home switches configured in Mach3, the "Ref all home" button will reset the machine coordinates without moving the axes.



  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    347
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Hi dream...i didnt see ur post until after i messed eith mach 3 ...but i think i figure it out...i move each axis to max neg travel...i then hit ref all home...then in soft limits i enter +7 for x ...+4 for y ...+6 for z...and put 0 in all - fields.

    And mske sure persistent DRO is checked in gen config.

    Now my mach coord soft limits are set and mach3 remembers every time i open n close mach3 ...i dont have to repeat this.

    I tested it and worked great and will be a good safety feature on my one romaxx cnc that uses v wheels and has no hard stops...this should prevent any user error and having gantry roll off the rail....which would not be a good thing

    Thank you for the awesome great info...



  9. #9
    Member CitizenOfDreams's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1267
    Downloads
    4
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.

    Quote Originally Posted by Shelby5041 View Post
    And mske sure persistent DRO is checked in gen config.

    Now my mach coord soft limits are set and mach3 remembers every time i open n close mach3 ...i dont have to repeat this.
    Keep in mind that an axis may inadvertently move while the machine is off.

    Also, every time you power down a stepper drive, the microstepping counter resets to 0. So your coordinates may shift as much as a full step after a power cycle. Not enough to matter for jogging safety, but enough to trash a part if you are counting on the machine to remember its position overnight.



  10. #10
    Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    347
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Thsnk you dreams n daz that great info..



  11. #11
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    1516
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.

    Quote Originally Posted by Shelby5041 View Post
    How would you set soft limits in mach3.without homing?..would you have to manually set each time you open mach3?..or can it be done once and mach 3 remembers msch coord each time open and close mach3?

    I may try it...although soft limits dont prevent most reasons for crashes it can prevent minor booboos like operator error
    Get the machine all set up to where you want home to be first off. Once you've done that:
    At the end of the days work.
    Before you shut it down run a simple gcode program so the machine goes to G28.
    This will move the machine to the position you have set up as your homing point.

    Next time you start it up the machine wil/should still be in the same position. Just ref home to light it all green and use it.

    It's always worked for me so far (barr losing position at a stall on a job).
    I use this:

    (1. HOME SLOT)
    (T3 D=3. CR=0. - ZMIN=-17. - FLAT END MILL)
    G90 G94 G91.1 G40 G49 G17
    G21
    G90
    (SLOT3)
    G28
    M30



  12. #12
    Member mactec54's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    15362
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.

    Quote Originally Posted by Shelby5041 View Post
    from what little i know you can not have soft limits without homing limits enabled..otherwise machine has no idea where to set soft limits
    Really to make it work correct you need at least ( 1 ) micro switch or a proximity switch per axis or it can not work correctly, it's just a guess each time you set a home for the machine and that can be a problem every time you go to run your machine if you don't use the same place each time

    The ( 1 ) switch will work as a Home and a limit from this point you can then set your work area soft limits

    Mactec54


  13. #13
    Member mactec54's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    15362
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.

    Quote Originally Posted by dazp1976 View Post
    Get the machine all set up to where you want home to be first off. Once you've done that:
    At the end of the days work.
    Before you shut it down run a simple gcode program so the machine goes to G28.
    This will move the machine to the position you have set up as your homing point.

    Next time you start it up the machine wil/should still be in the same position. Just ref home to light it all green and use it.

    It's always worked for me so far (barr losing position at a stall on a job).
    I use this:

    (1. HOME SLOT)
    (T3 D=3. CR=0. - ZMIN=-17. - FLAT END MILL)
    G90 G94 G91.1 G40 G49 G17
    G21
    G90
    (SLOT3)
    G28
    M30
    Why would you use a program with nothing in it, all that is needed is to input a G28 If it has been setup to do something no more is needed

    Mactec54


  14. #14
    Member mactec54's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    15362
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.

    Quote Originally Posted by Shelby5041 View Post
    Hi dream...i didnt see ur post until after i messed eith mach 3 ...but i think i figure it out...i move each axis to max neg travel...i then hit ref all home...then in soft limits i enter +7 for x ...+4 for y ...+6 for z...and put 0 in all - fields.

    And mske sure persistent DRO is checked in gen config.

    Now my mach coord soft limits are set and mach3 remembers every time i open n close mach3 ...i dont have to repeat this.

    I tested it and worked great and will be a good safety feature on my one romaxx cnc that uses v wheels and has no hard stops...this should prevent any user error and having gantry roll off the rail....which would not be a good thing

    Thank you for the awesome great info...
    No It will never remember where Home is without a referance to home position on start up

    Mactec54


  15. #15
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    1516
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.

    Quote Originally Posted by mactec54 View Post
    Why would you use a program with nothing in it, all that is needed is to input a G28 If it has been setup to do something no more is needed

    Yeah. Actually I forgot I could just do a G28 in the MIDI.
    When I first started to newbie dabble in Mach I did it with the program, I didn't realise about the MIDI section for quite a while tbh.

    The fake program to G28 home it, just became a force of habit.
    You know what novices are like



  16. #16
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    1516
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.

    Quote Originally Posted by Shelby5041 View Post
    Hi dream...i didnt see ur post until after i messed eith mach 3 ...but i think i figure it out...i move each axis to max neg travel...i then hit ref all home...then in soft limits i enter +7 for x ...+4 for y ...+6 for z...and put 0 in all - fields.

    And mske sure persistent DRO is checked in gen config.
    Now my mach coord soft limits are set and mach3 remembers every time i open n close mach3 ...i dont have to repeat this.
    I tested it and worked great and will be a good safety feature on my one romaxx cnc that uses v wheels and has no hard stops...this should prevent any user error and having gantry roll off the rail....which would not be a good thing
    Thank you for the awesome great info...
    No it is NOT 'safe'. Just doable. User error, missed steps, jams, will screw it up, and need to manually find position again..
    If you don't SEND it 'home' at the end of the day and come in next morning and 'ref all home' that will now become your new home.
    You have to be careful.
    I said it can be done, didn't recommend it should be.

    Quote Originally Posted by mactec54 View Post
    No It will never remember where Home is without a referance to home position on start up
    This is why I say the machine should be sent home at the end of the day. It's dead easy to balls this up without having physical switches. It's more of a stop gap whilst building it.



  17. #17
    Member mactec54's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    15362
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.

    Quote Originally Posted by dazp1976 View Post
    No it is NOT 'safe'. Just doable. User error, missed steps, jams, will screw it up, and need to manually find position again..
    This is why I say the machine should be sent home at the end of the day. It's dead easy to balls this up without having physical switches. It's more of a stop gap whilst building it.
    He is not building this machine it is already built by a company, so he should be doing it correct right from the start, you don't want to crash these wimpy machines or he will damage the screws very easy

    Mactec54


  18. #18
    Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    347
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Hi..

    I have magnetic style limit switches 2 on x 2on y 1 on z but i hsvent gotten to wiring them up yet to mach3 bob

    The soft limits without switches does eork..i tested today...and mach3 remembers xyz home when i close and open mach3

    Note...i am hobby only...not serious user so dont need serious setup

    I agree soft limits does not prevent crashes due to lost steps but it does prevent user error mishsps like jogging key stroke booboos

    I do agree using soft limits without limit switches it may be good idea to home machine when done for day and then ref home at startup...for assurance.

    Thanks for everyones help.

    Last edited by Shelby5041; 08-13-2021 at 09:05 PM.


Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


About CNCzone.com

    We are the largest and most active discussion forum for manufacturing industry. The site is 100% free to join and use, so join today!

Follow us on


Our Brands

Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.

Sherline 5400 Mill, Mach 3 and soft limits.