Z axis Jog while running

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legacytorch
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Z axis Jog while running

Post by legacytorch »

The acorn is being used to run a plasma, oxy/fuel cutting table. I want to be able to use the keyboard to control the z axis as a manual height control. The g code that I am running has no z axis input. Is there a way to allow manual z jogging while the program is running?
Black Forest
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Re: Z axis Jog while running

Post by Black Forest »

What are you using for THC on your table?
legacytorch
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Re: Z axis Jog while running

Post by legacytorch »

Only my eyes, and judgement. Fully manual control. A THC would be great long term but I'm not there yet. Currently I have a manual rack and pinion with a hand wheel to move the torch head so any kind of remote control would be an improvement.
cnckeith
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Re: Z axis Jog while running

Post by cnckeith »

Most plasma applications employ an off the shelf stand alone THC to handle the Torch Height Control. These are widely available on ebay and other locations.
https://www.ebay.com/i/263350698500?chn=ps
https://www.ebay.com/i/122812301023?chn=ps
https://www.ebay.com/i/253338014225?chn=ps

http://neuroncnc.com/products/professional
Need support? READ THIS POST first. http://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1043
All Acorn Documentation is located here: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=3397
Answers to common questions: viewforum.php?f=63
and here viewforum.php?f=61
Gear we use but don't sell. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... _gear.html
legacytorch
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2017 2:39 pm
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Re: Z axis Jog while running

Post by legacytorch »

That is really unfortunate that it can’t be done. At least I know where I stand. The THC may be a good option. Not really what I need with the oxy/fuel system because there is no arc voltage to give feedback. I will still research them though, a system may offer some form of remote manual control. I set the system up with an Xbox controller and it is working fantastic. I was really looking forward to using the controller to make height adjustments while the program was cutting. I guess really I’m no further behind than my old mach3 system that had no z control at all.

I don’t really know what is involved to add this feature and I am probably the first to ask for it with the centroid stuff being primarily for mills, but it would be really great if that would be possible to add.

Thanks for the help
legacytorch
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Re: Z axis Jog while running

Post by legacytorch »

Ok so I learned something new already....

I had not seriously looked into a THC because I assumed that they all ran baised on arc voltage. Apparently some use a capacitive sensor and work with both the flame and plasma systems.

Getting smarter all the time
Black Forest
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Re: Z axis Jog while running

Post by Black Forest »

Have a look at the Neuron THC. They have different units that will work with plasma and O/A.
http://neuroncnc.com/products/professional
cnckeith
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Re: Z axis Jog while running

Post by cnckeith »

We had a huddle on the various ways to move the Z axis while running a job (so a user can adjust a water jet or flame torch by 'eye balling' it) and it appears we can (with some effort) allow the MPG or even the Jog buttons on the VCP (which then means an xbox controller would work) to add or subtract steps to the Z axis while the job is running with Acorn and CNC12. (We are now back at working on Acorn USB MPG drivers) so its on the list of features to add for v4.12 release. We are looking for a good name for this new feature, suggestions are welcome!

and on a related note...I misspoke in a earlier post about "M0 jogging" M0 jogging does work with Acorn CNC12, i just tested it.
Need support? READ THIS POST first. http://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1043
All Acorn Documentation is located here: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=3397
Answers to common questions: viewforum.php?f=63
and here viewforum.php?f=61
Gear we use but don't sell. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... _gear.html
DICKEYBIRD
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Re: Z axis Jog while running

Post by DICKEYBIRD »

cnckeith wrote: Wed Jan 03, 2018 2:14 pm We are looking for a good name for this new feature, suggestions are welcome!
ZeeTweaker® or Z'Tweaker®. :D
Milton in Collierville, TN

"Accuracy is the sum total of your compensating mistakes."
frijoli
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Re: Z axis Jog while running

Post by frijoli »

cnckeith wrote: Wed Jan 03, 2018 2:14 pm We had a huddle on the various ways to move the Z axis while running a job (so a user can adjust a water jet or flame torch by 'eye balling' it) and it appears we can (with some effort) allow the MPG or even the Jog buttons on the VCP (which then means an xbox controller would work) to add or subtract steps to the Z axis while the job is running with Acorn and CNC12. (We are now back at working on Acorn USB MPG drivers) so its on the list of features to add for v4.12 release. We are looking for a good name for this new feature, suggestions are welcome!

and on a related note...I misspoke in a earlier post about "M0 jogging" M0 jogging does work with Acorn CNC12, i just tested it.
In the 3D printing world we call it "LIVE Z TUNING"
Clay
Clay
near Winston-Salem, NC
unofficial ACORN fb group https://www.facebook.com/groups/897054597120437/
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