How to connect a TouchProbe and a ToolSetter at the same time

[Fredsan]

Hi Muzzer,

Check the report file I attached to my previous post.

In the zip file, all parameter settings are in the file cncm.prm.xml. I know this is not the latest report, but at this moment I am not at home so I have no access to the PC to create a new report. The only change I made is in parameter 11: I changed it from 50005 to -7.

I can upload a new report file tomorrow if necessary.

I run the software in Metric mode, so be carefull with copying speed settings. I have put all settings very slow until I finished all testing etc.

I use seperate inputs for the touch plate and the probe. I do not (yet) use probe detect. The touch plate is permanent mounted and connected. The probe is currently also permanent connected

[Muzzer]

Hi Keith (and thanks, Fredsan)

I've spent several hours looking at this now, testing all the possible permutations and combinations of the relevant parameters. I think the situation is now fairly clear, having proved each setup to exhaustion and beyond.

The problem arises with the probe detect function, which I think explains how Fred hasn't seen an issue. If you have the tool touch probe (TT) hard wired, you don't need to do a probe detect on it. In my case, I have a pluggable TT probe, so I want to detect if it's present before sending the tool towards it(!!).

The problem seems to be that if the probe detect input is triggered by connecting the TT probe, the tool length search function doesn't work correctly - it gets confused and thinks the tool signal is active even though it isn't. The result is that the quill retracts, which isn't very helpful. It's not a matter of correctly configuring the parameters, as I have them working for the touch probe.

The solution for me (for now) is to leave the TT detect wire disconnected. That way the TT tool length probe function works correctly. The downside is that the controller doesn't know if the TT is actually plugged in and I could run the tool into my TT. The other issue is that somehow the controller believes that there is a probe permanently plugged in, so I get a "453 jogging while probe detected" whether it's plugged in or not.

The other related issue is that although my Renishaw probe functions fully with the various probing operations - and the system will only probe with it plugged in (which is very good) - the "453 jogging while probe detected" message goes away when I plug it in.

My parameters are like this:

• #11: -4
  #18: +6
  #44: +7
  #257: -6

Yes, parameters 18 and 257 are opposite polarity(!!). My probe signal is input 4, detect input 6, TT signal input 7.

I'm pretty certain there's a logical error somewhere in the software. One solution for me would be to hard wire the TT and fix it on the table but that's not ideal and it won't get rid of the "jogging while probe detected" message. Presumably that's also limiting my jog rate.

I've attached my current report if that will help.

So at least I can set up my tool lengths automatically now and the touch probe works safely. But hopefully this TT detect issue can be fixed too.

Pleased to report that everything else seems to be working nicely. Very pleased with the conversion so far!

Murray

[Muzzer]

Tried to attach my report but I got a message saying "Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached." No idea what that is about??

[Bob Huntbach]

I very much agree I have spent a cold weekend with a similar problem I was elated when I got the probe working as I have had the Tool length working for ages but I didn't catch on at first that I didn't have both working together but I get the tool setter back as soon as I remove the probe plug.
I have just sent this but it seems to have to got lost in the ether. I had the probe input 6 Par11 and also 6 in par 18 and Tool setter Par 44 input 7 but because i am getting PLC won't compile in the wizard I keep losing the settings in the report.
I am getting success with the Tool Setter but as soon as I plug the probe I lose what I have. Perhaps the problem is with the probe detect signals
I am sorry if this a bit confused but I had it all written out but I pressed submit and the thing disappeared.
Regards Bob.

[Bob Huntbach]

Hopefully report this time.
Bob.

[Muzzer]

Interestingly, although I get the "jogging while probe connected" message even with the probes disconnected, the machine is happy to run the spindle. So it seems to think the probe is connected but wouldn't mind spinning it! Definitely something a bit mixed up here.

Keith said they were planning on updating the wizard to cater for both probes. I hope this issue can be fixed at the same time - I suspect it will require more than just setting another parameter with the wizard GUI.

Murray

[Centroid_Tech]

Having parameters 18 and 257 set to the same input but the opposite polarity makes no sense. If you wish to use the same detect signal for the probe as well as your tool touch-off, then set them to the same input as well as the same polarity. If you do not wish to use the control's tool touch-off detect feature then turn it off by setting parameter 257 to 0.

The "Jogging While Probe Detected" message means that the control is trying to jog while the probe is tripped. You have parameter 11 set to -4 but it sounds like you need to have it set to 4. If pressing Auto to automatically calculate your tool height offset is causing the machine to move in the positive Z direction, it sounds like the control already thinks that it hit the tool touch-off device and is backing up. You have parameter 44 set to 7. Try setting it to -7 to see if that helps.

[Muzzer]

Something is seriously messed up here. I can auto measure my tool lengths without an issue but when I try to auto measure the Z ref it says "Probe not found" / "Zref not set". Doesn't have a problem with the actual tools. So I have to set the reference tool length manually....

I've finally managed to upload my report file for you.

Murray

[Muzzer]

Hi Centroid_Tech

If you read my post above, you will see I spent quite a few hours on this already. Changing parameter 11 to +4 results in a trivial probing event - the tool doesn't move and it considers the probing complete. Not much of a result really.

I agree that having parameters 18 and 257 set opposite polarity makes no sense. Which is why I'm suggesting there's something wrong in there. That was the only setting that came close to functioning.

Believe me, I've tried every permutation and combination of these key parameters.

There are 2 of us in this thread reporting the same issue. Perhaps you could connect up a probe and a touch plate with an Acorn and let us know how you get on? Same detect input for both, separate inputs for each probe signal. Spindle inhibit interlock. Sounds pretty simple on the face of it, which is why this is frustrating. I have a life to live....

Not surprisingly I want to use the probe detect to protect my Renishaw probe and tool setter.

Murray

[Fredsan]

I just re-tried the touch plate and probe, and confirm it is absolutely working.

Let me give some additional info what I had to do to get everything working.

I connected a XHC DT02 (el cheapo) wireless touchplate/toolsetter to INPUT-5 and an available COM connection. The touch plate is a NO switch. So in the wizard I configured INPUT-5 as probe NC. Whatever I did, I got the message probe connected. So I changed NC to NO. When I turn on the machine I press 1 time on the touch plate to be sure the touch plate and the receiver see each other. When I press ALT-I, I see the input led is green. When I press the touch plate I see the led turn red. So the software is recognizing when the touchplate is pressed. I know this is not completely according to the manual, but it works without any problems.

The 'Passive' probe I connected to INPUT-7 and an avaiable COM. The probe is an NC switch, in the wizard input 7 is configured as 'Not used' NC, because you cannot select probe on 2 inputs.

In the parameters I changed the following to use the probe:
Parameter 11 = -7 (input 7, using minus value to indicate Open on contact)
Parameter 12 = 10 (Tool number of the probe)
Parameter 17 = 4 (I use G30 P4 as return position with tool length measuring)
Parameter 44 = 5 (input 5)
I did not change any other parameters manually.

Both the touchplate and the probe are permanent connected.

When I do tool setup I can auto measure the reference tool without any problems. I also measured the tool length offset of the probe on the touch plate, also no problems.

I did some tests with part setup using the probe, and did some digitizing, and all is working perfectly.

I have attached a new report file.