ProbeIt for UCCNC

[eabrust]

Hi Sylvain,

Can you explain what you're doing when you have UCCNC crash? I mean, are you just running UCCNC as normal running a GCode file, or are you running a plugin, if so which plugin(s) and how many plugins do you have loaded at once?

If it is crashing while running one of my plugins, clarify what sort of event triggers the crash if you can. I'm certainly not going to claim my Plugins are error free at this point, however they run for me without crashing when I test them... but once out for others to use on their setups, who knows..... Any input from users to catch bugs will be a help.



regards,
Eric

[CL_MotoTech]

I assumed that after upgrading to the latest iteration my probe settings calibration had been saved/imported into the current version, I should have checked... Because obviously they wouldn't have moved over since I over-wrote the existing folder. Not smart on my part. Keep in mind I had done zero setup while finding this, when I set the Z depth at .2 it said my depth was 5x> than probe tip diameter. Confusing because my probe has a .2" tip, but default is .03. So if I clicked okay, it crashed UCCNC. I restarted. Went through the same steps, but this time I type "y" then hit enter, UCCNC crashed again. Windows gave the classic "UCCNC is not responding" Windows error message. Obviously I skipped a lot of setup steps there, but apparently that prompt with the 5x> will crash UCCNC if the ProbeIt probe configuration settings are not made. It's a dumb error on my part, but I suppose there might be other dummies in the world.

The reason I was using the software was because I needed to probe a boss, not particularly accurately, I just wanted set work offsets on a piece of rod. I cannot for the life of me get this function to work. If I set Z depth to a negative value I get a windows that says I "must enter ZDepth DRO value to proceed". Okay, change it to a positive value, the probe now probes above the boss. It's a circular boss, about .75" OD. I have it set to circular, I click the outside boss probe button, it touches off the top of the stock, but it will never move below the top of the stock. Maybe I missed a setting? I was in a bit of hurry, but it seemed to me that I was pretty much doing the same stuff I did last time, the only difference being that I was probing a boss instead of a hole.

[sgenevay]

no it was crashing before... with your plugin after several test, i see only a display problem in tabs (at least this is only what i noticed for now but i didn't went to far into test for now )... at startup i'm on 2d basic probe tab but i see the tab and graphic of the rotation tab... I have to switch to rotation tab and back to 2d to see the correct tab displayed.
For the crashing problem i Highly suspect the xbox360 plugin.... as i see crashes are always related to the fact that my wireless xbox controller stopped after an unused time to preserve batteries.... i had a plugged controller before but it was strangely disconnecting each time my spindle was starting (maybe interference between usb and spindle cable....) so i dunno to solve the fact to use a controller that doesn't crash the uccnc software...
Sylvain

[eabrust]

Sylvain, thanks for your feedback.

no it was crashing before... with your plugin after several test, i see only a display problem in tabs (at least this is only what i noticed for now but i didn't went to far into test for now )... at startup i'm on 2d basic probe tab but i see the tab and graphic of the rotation tab... I have to switch to rotation tab and back to 2d to see the correct tab displayed.

This one I'm aware of and still chasing, but at the moment it is just a nuisance/non-harmful feature.... I've tried all sorts of things to force the plugin form to select a tab and display a specific tab on load, and all things I've tried has failed.... I'm still working on it and researching why this does this.

For the crashing problem i Highly suspect the xbox360 plugin.... as i see crashes are always related to the fact that my wireless xbox controller stopped after an unused time to preserve batteries.... i had a plugged controller before but it was strangely disconnecting each time my spindle was starting (maybe interference between usb and spindle cable....) so i dunno to solve the fact to use a controller that doesn't crash the uccnc software...
Sylvain

Can you clarify if you mean the xbox plugin that comes w/ UCCNC, or my version for analog stick use? I've verified that the latest versions of my plugin can handle the receiver of a wireless controller being unplugged and plugged in without crashing, but that was with a non-original xbox controller. Shouldn't matter, but.... If you believe issue is related to my xbox plugin, please post in this thread to continue discussion: http://www.forum.cncdrive.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=394&p=19220#p19220

regards,
Eric

[eabrust]

I assumed that after upgrading to the latest iteration my probe settings calibration had been saved/imported into the current version, I should have checked... Because obviously they wouldn't have moved over since I over-wrote the existing folder. Not smart on my part. Keep in mind I had done zero setup while finding this, when I set the Z depth at .2 it said my depth was 5x> than probe tip diameter. Confusing because my probe has a .2" tip, but default is .03. So if I clicked okay, it crashed UCCNC. I restarted. Went through the same steps, but this time I type "y" then hit enter, UCCNC crashed again. Windows gave the classic "UCCNC is not responding" Windows error message. Obviously I skipped a lot of setup steps there, but apparently that prompt with the 5x> will crash UCCNC if the ProbeIt probe configuration settings are not made. It's a dumb error on my part, but I suppose there might be other dummies in the world.

The reason I was using the software was because I needed to probe a boss, not particularly accurately, I just wanted set work offsets on a piece of rod. I cannot for the life of me get this function to work. If I set Z depth to a negative value I get a windows that says I "must enter ZDepth DRO value to proceed". Okay, change it to a positive value, the probe now probes above the boss. It's a circular boss, about .75" OD. I have it set to circular, I click the outside boss probe button, it touches off the top of the stock, but it will never move below the top of the stock. Maybe I missed a setting? I was in a bit of hurry, but it seemed to me that I was pretty much doing the same stuff I did last time, the only difference being that I was probing a boss instead of a hole.

Hi CL_Moto

Even if you overwrote the 'probeit' plugin folder which contains the settings file (probeit.xml), you should have a 'backup' version in there still (up until you hit 'save settings' again, then the backup would also get overwritten with whatever you had just set for settings). I'd recommend saving a copy of that xml file elsewhere after you've got it working and upgrade for now.

I am working on putting this plugin into an installer, and I will make it so the installer does NOT supply a settings file, or so it places a settings file with an incorrect name that the user will have to manually rename to make it read in. this will prevent over-writing a users settings accidentally when 'updating' version.

I will look into the crash you had and see what I can find. I will possibly have to 'force' a bunch of defaults for inputs to deal with settings that haven't been setup initially or that got erased accidental.

Thanks for your patience and feedback. While I'm sure it's frustrating you a bit, believe me it frustrates me more, every time I 'fix' something, something else breaks...

regards
Eric

[CL_MotoTech]

I'm not really frustrated, the plugin is free so far, and I've used it numerous time. So no complaints here.

I ended up using a bearing over the rod to create a pocket, then I probed its ID, thus giving me a fairly close center on the rod. The bearing was slightly large on the rod, but I had plenty of extra stock around the part to be machined, so it all worked out.

[sgenevay]

Eric,
No it's the xbox included in ucnc but now after being interested by your probe plugin i will start to look at your xbox plugin if it doesn't crash ucnc when connect/disconnect .... my xbox is a generic also so...
god you will take all my money !!!
Sylvain

[eabrust]

ProbeIt for UCCNC has been updated to v. 1.010 and is available for download here: http://www.craftycnc.com/probeit-for-uccnc/

Updates in v 1.010:
-Minor updates to 3D viewer, viewer now displays probe tip position real time. 3D viewer is now shared w/ UCamCopy plugin, and both plugins will receive updates at same time when viewer updates are made.
-Plugin is now provided in a self-installing zip.exe file, just point it at the uccnc folder you want to install in.
-Added ability to load ‘default’ values for inch or mm on the settings page. Please verify, change, and save settings to suit your machine. It will not overwrite your settings unless you purposefully load defaults and hit ‘save settings’ to overwrite.
-A number of bug fixes (issue w/ post routine, issues with tabs displaying properly on load)

This version has minimal additions to functionality, and is mostly bug fixes.


Installer will not overwrite your existing settings (probeit.xml) file, but I'd recommend saving a copy of your settings somewhere, or copy the entire ProbeIt folder out as a backup should you want to revert back to the prior version. When installing, point the installer to the UCCNC directory (top level), not the plugins folder:

As always, comments and bug reports welcome, its still a work in progress.

Once this plugin stabilizes on functioning properly and bug fixes, I'll start working on additional probe routines that are missing or that I'm currently working out (inside corners, corners that are not 90 degrees (acute/obtuse), etc)

regards,
Eric

[CL_MotoTech]

Eric, I used the plugin this evening to machine some flats for a wrench on a part I cut on the lathe.

I was able to use the distinct X boss probe button with a negative Z value. The distinct Y boss button worked as well. But when I use the combination XY boss button I still get the error message regarding the negative Z value. Using this work around I was able to probe the boss, set my offsets, machine the parts, everything worked out gorgeous. The XY boss (and Z- setting) routine isn't working, IMO, unless I am fundamentally misunderstanding something (it's pretty possible). Your probe calibration routine is without a doubt the best probing calibration I have ever utilized on my machine. And the work flow gets more natural every time I use it. I think your plugin combined with UCCNC will be a force to reckon with.

[eabrust]

Good morning/afternoon CL_Moto.

The problem with the 'post' routine was definitely a problem (some left over remnants from switching to allowing negative depth input), but it got fixed (and tested) for version 1.010 specifically because you pointed out the bug (thanks for that feedback again by the way!).

Can you please do me a favor, and verify that the version of ProbeIt that you got that message in again, shows 1.010 on the about tab for the version,? Also, please look at the ' probeit_UC.dll ' file in your plugins folder, and verify it has a modified date of 4/9/2020 at 8:27 pm.

I'm just wondering if the installer didn't put the new version dll in the wrong spot for you, and you're actually running the old version. If that's not it.... I'm loosing my mind

regards
Eric