Re-setting Z to zero when changine tool

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kentrout
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:27 pm

Re-setting Z to zero when changine tool

Post by kentrout »

Used AutoLeveller for the first time yesterday, worked like a charm. My mill has a vacuum clamp (vacuum cleaner source) that does a pretty good job of holding the board down flat, but, the results still weren't perfect. Now with AutoLeveller, it's perfect, thanks for your great work.

I'm using Mach3. I use Coppercam to make my boards, they include in one file all the routines to make one side of the board. The routines are ordered with the engrave first, then a mill function to remove large areas of copper with a 1mm end mill, then the drilling functions (usually 3 seperated drills), then the board outline cut function using a 2mm mill. The program stops at each of these tool changes. I typically move the mill to 0 X, 0 Y and 0 z to make sure that it is still in allignment (it sometimes is off on the x by .5mm or so). Then I move the Z up high enough to change the tool. The reset to Z to zero. After the tool change I start the program routine and it heads off to complete the next milling opperation.

I had been using the estop feature to re-set the Z to zero when changing tools. With AutoLeveller, the Z for the first tool is set by program, but, when I come to a tool change, it would be nice to be able to run a short AutoLeveller routine to set the Z to zero for the new tool.
daedelus
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Re: Re-setting Z to zero when changine tool

Post by daedelus »

Great to hear it worked well for you Ken :D

I have just (about an hour ago) released version 0.8.0 for Autoleveller members. Which covers the much requested 'probe-persistence' upgrade and will allow you to change tool and reset the Z from a single previous probe point.

I have tried to make it as easy as possible to use and have upgraded the guide http://www.autoleveller.co.uk/autoleveller-guide/

Have a look and let me know if you have any questions.
http://www.autoleveller.co.uk/. Software to probe and adjust a GCode file for PCB's or any probe-able surface.

http://www.autoleveller.co.uk/cnc-probe-guide/. A short guide to setting up the probe.

-James
kentrout
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:27 pm

Re: Re-setting Z to zero when changine tool

Post by kentrout »

Well how cool is that!

I'll look right away. Thanks for all your efforts. Donation on the way.

Regards,

Ken
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