After upgrading to Closed Loop Stepper Motors (unnecessarily painful, but eventually successful), have run two jobs with same issue when using AZT: after the XYZ probe process, the display shows “0” for X and Z, as expected, but shows “-0.01” for Y. Had no issues running multiple toolpaths at a Y Zero of “ - 0.01”, but I expected a plain “0.00”
I’ll be following this discussion closely, as I’m expecting my CLSM kit in March.
Hope you have looked at the thread on the CLSM upgrade - some good practical information.
No idea if the AZT issue is related.
@Retiree Does it do this regardless of the probe method? I recall that, in a previous version of gSender, if a bit diameter was selected, the axes were off.
Also, unless the AZT is different in this respect from the standard plate that I have, Z should not be at 0 at the end of the function. Z will be recorded, but the bit should have risen up after the probe was complete. If it is not doing that, I believe you may have a separate issue.
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@Retiree As @gwilki said, after the zeroing routine, z0 is recorded but the spindle then moves up by 15mm. But even then, that doesn’t correspond to the -0.01" you’re seeing. Can you clarify what you are observing ?
@Chucky_ott The -0.01 is the Y axis.
Homing prior to each job. Have run 2 jobs with same situation.
First AZT probe is XYZ with a 1/8" roughing bit. Both times X and Z showing “0”, but Y showing at “-0.01”. Z position is physically at the surface of the material. Subsequent bits (1/8" and 1/4" diameter, ball nose, tapered ball nose and straight) at Z only for AZT and result was 15 mm displayed for the Z and it physically looked like 15mm above the surface. Program handled both situations, but, why is Z outcome different for XYZ vs just Z for AZT probe. It works, but? Still have the “-0.01” visual for the Y. Not able to confirm physical actual at this scale. All cuts returned to a Y of “-0.01” at the end of the cut.
@Retiree I may not be explaining myself well.
If, after the XYZ probe, Z is showing 0, there would be a problem. However, since you have explained that the bit is at the surface of the material, it must mean that, after the probe is finished, you removed the AZTP and you clicked on “go to Z0”. Otherwise, if you hit go to Z0, the bit would hit the plate, or if you simply removed the plate, Z would not be showing 0.
As to the discrepancy with Y, I am still wondering if this happens in both auto mode and when you enter the diameter of the bit.
What does the firmware report as positions when you type ? in the console?
If you then press Go To Y0 and repeat the ? in the console what does the firmware report.
It might just be a rounding issue from the firmware. Do you have $13 (report inches) enabled?
@glwilki. My AZT (2 yrs old?) does not work the way you indicate. For XYZ, the probe sensing area is about 1” (+X, +Y) from the corner of the wood, and on completion of the probe sequence up/down, back/forth, the bit is raised, automatically moved to the corner of the wood through the slot on the AZT, Z drops down and the display is X and Z “0”, but Y display is “-0.01”. I do not enter “go to Z0”. Z probing uses the back side of the AZT, and, on completion of the probe sequence, the bit goes to 15mm and the display shows this. The difference makes sense given the design of the AZT, however, it would be extremely useful if Sienci would explain/document.
@KGN. Will get back to you when I have some time to run a test.
@Retiree Tks, B. I learn something new every day. As you know, I don’t have limit switches, I don’t have the AZT and I don’t have the closed-loop stepper package on my LM Mk1, so I try to ensure that my replies reflect that.
@KGN. New Job today. Used AZT to set XYZ “0”. Display: X and Y “0”, Z “1.0”. Redid the AZT probe process and same result. Visually clear that Z not at surface of the wood. Pic of firmware attached (queried twice). Ran the first toolpath with no problem and returned to XY “0” on the display. Used AZT for Z zero for next cutters and each time the display is XY “0” and Z “15”. Seems to be cutting fine, but the inconsistency in the display last time and this time is bizarre.
Would it be better to take this into a tech support issue rather than this forum? Let me know.
@Retiree I’ll leave it to Kevin to try to address the “why”, but please satisfy my curiousity. After each Z probe with the AZT, when you move the plate and hit “go to Z0”, is the bit on the surface of the material?
@gwilki - perhaps we can persuade you to upgrade a couple features…LOL? Re AZT - for Z probe only, it does its thing, then spindle goes up and the display shows 15mm, and best I can estimate it is 15mm above surface of the wood. I never hit “go to Zero”. When I go to start job, the Z works as planned, so I assume the S/W compensates for the AZT Z probe setting.
As I have indicated previously, the XYZ probe sequence does not provide same display outcome for Z. Still cuts as it should, but confusing to say the least.
@Retiree I’m a bit confused with what you are observing and relaying back. Once the auto zero routine has been completed, it sets the xyz zeros and then moves up by some amount (15mm I think). Once that is done, if you press the Z0 Go To button at the top right, the bottom of your bit should be at the top of the material. If it’s not, then there is an obvious problem.
Are you zeroing at a corner? How thick is your material? If it’s less than 4mm, then the touch plate will not sit flat on the material and the z0 will be off. 4mm is the thickness of the lip that is used to reference the corner.
Also, in gSender, under the Probe section, is the auto zero thickness set to 5mm ?
@Retiree I know that you are kidding, B. I have absolutely no interest in the AZT. It is a remarkable piece of engineering for sure. However, since more often than not, I set XY0 in the centre of my material, more often than not I only use my plain jane touchplate to set Z0 only. On those occasions where I do set XY0 on a corner, I have no issue ensuring that the bit size that I tell gSender I am using is really the bit size that I am using.
I only asked you what happens when you hit “go to Z0” to determine if, notwithstanding what the readout is after using the AZT, Z0 is really where is should be. If it were me, and if it is where it should be, I would not be bothered with the readout when the probing function was complete.
Will try to explain and respond to the Q’s. 3/4”-1” thick wood. Outcomes of XYZ probe and just Z probe are different re Z visually and observably, though as indicated, seems to cut just fine. I usually set my zero at left bottom corner. I go through XYZ probe with AZT for first bit and usually it goes to a display of “0” for XYZ, and as far as I can observe, the bit is on the corner and on the surface (previous couple experiences are anomalies, hence the concern). I do NOT hit “go to zero”. After cutting and return to XY “0”, I install the next bit (different Z, of course) and probe Z only with AZT (XY is already set). The display and visual are 15mm for Z. This has been consistent with every Z probe I have done. I only hit “go to XY zero” if I have moved the bit onto a flat part of the job surface to get the AZT to sit flat for the Z probe. Yes, the AZT is set at 5mm. I am impressed with the engineering of the AZT, but the documentation leaves much to be desired (I am trying to be kind…).
After you probe XYZ, the spindle moves to X0Y0Y1. So 1mm higher than the material surface. If you turn the touch plate over and then probe only Z, X and Y stay the same but Z moves to 15.
This is normal behaviour and I think what you are getting. Just because it moves up to Z1 after probing XYZ or Z15 after just probing Z, it doesn’t mean that your Z zero is 1mm or 15mm off the surface. The spindle just moved to those locations in order to clear the touch plate for you to remove it.