Homing procedure

[El Ventu]

Hello everyone!
I'm converting a small milling machine, I'm in search of the maximum precision possibile to make small plastic injection molds for my Precious Plastic workspace.

Since I'm running the workspace in my spare time, and the milling process can be very long, the machine have to be turned off in between the various procedures.

To achieve the maximum homing precision, I bought three Metrol microswitches (0.01mm repeatability), but they have the downside of having a very little travel, so it's needed to do the homing procedure at a very low speed.

My idea to speed up the procedure is this:
Installing three proximity sensors near the precision ones, to sense when the axis is near them, so the axis is moving fast until it opens the circuit of the proximity, and from that point it moves slowly to the precision one.

All the sensors are normally closed, so this procedure can be made using only two inputs on the AXBB-E I bought.

Is this procedure doable with UCCNC?

[Battwell]

no need.
you can set the homing back off speed very low to catch the same position every time.
my machines repeat at <0.005mm which should be "unseeable" (using proximity switches)
just make sure your machine can overun the switches without breaking them.

[El Ventu]

no need.
you can set the homing back off speed very low to catch the same position every time.
my machines repeat at <0.005mm which should be "unseeable" (using proximity switches)
just make sure your machine can overun the switches without breaking them.

I don't asked if there's need.
I asked if it's possible.
Proximity have drift related to temperature, mechanical ones don't.

However, I want to use the Metrol ones, the question is still valid.

[sebba]

even your molds will have temperature drift, if you can measure it

regarding "if possible", I think you can make a macro which will move your machine to the proximity sensors position and then do homing at slow speed
something like: disable soft limit // goto X0 // detect Xsensor // stop Xaxis // goto Y0 // detect Ysensor // stop Yaxis // start homing // enable softlimit
need testing, of course

[El Ventu]

even your molds will have temperature drift, if you can measure it

regarding "if possible", I think you can make a macro which will move your machine to the proximity sensors position and then do homing at slow speed
something like: disable soft limit // goto X0 // detect Xsensor // stop Xaxis // goto Y0 // detect Ysensor // stop Yaxis // start homing // enable softlimit
need testing, of course

That's sure.
But, you know...
I'm used to work with professional machinery, so I want to try to have the positioning as precise as I can.

I also already bought the Metrol sensors.

Where the macro has to be inserted?
Thank you!

[RsX]

sebba is right and he is describing exactly a homing procedure. So I thought, why not make 2 homings for each axis?
And that's what I did.
This was an interesting exercise, I got to use structs, #events and learn more about macro programming.

Enough said, here is the code. Right now it works only with X, Y and Z, but it can easily be expanded to include A,B and C axes.
You need at least 2 input pins, one for all the proximity sensors and one for all the precision switches. Fast and slow feedrates, up and down the sensors, are individually set for each axis.
Let me know what you think.

Code: Select all

Config_ Config = new Config_{
   //X Axis
   X = new AxisConfig{ AxisName = "X",
                  //Inputs
                  ProximityPin = new Setting{ Value = 1, ScreenField = 5},
                  ProximityPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 245},
                  MicroPin = new Setting{ Value = 1, ScreenField = 5},
                  MicroPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 245},
                  //Feedrates
                  FastHomingUp = new Setting{ Value = 1000, ScreenField = 6},
                  FastHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 250, ScreenField = 15},
                  SlowHomingUp =  new Setting{ Value = 50, ScreenField = 6},
                  SlowHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 10, ScreenField = 15},
                  //Buttons
                  HomingButton = 107
   },
   //Y Axis
   Y = new AxisConfig{ AxisName = "Y",
                  //Inputs
                  ProximityPin = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 20},
                  ProximityPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 250},
                  MicroPin = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 20},
                  MicroPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 250},
                  //Feedrates
                  FastHomingUp = new Setting{ Value = 1000, ScreenField = 21},
                  FastHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 250, ScreenField = 30},
                  SlowHomingUp =  new Setting{ Value = 50, ScreenField = 21},
                  SlowHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 10, ScreenField = 30},
                  //Buttons
                  HomingButton = 108
   },
   //Z Axis
   Z = new AxisConfig{ AxisName = "Z",
                  //Inputs
                  ProximityPin = new Setting{ Value = 3, ScreenField = 35},
                  ProximityPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 255},
                  MicroPin = new Setting{ Value = 3, ScreenField = 35},
                  MicroPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 255},
                  //Feedrates
                  FastHomingUp = new Setting{ Value = 500, ScreenField = 36},
                  FastHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 250, ScreenField = 45},
                  SlowHomingUp =  new Setting{ Value = 50, ScreenField = 36},
                  SlowHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 10, ScreenField = 45},
                  //Buttons
                  HomingButton = 109
   }
};


exec.AddStatusmessage( "!!!Double Homing Started!!!" );
DoubleHoming(Config.Z);
DoubleHoming(Config.X);
DoubleHoming(Config.Y);
exec.AddStatusmessage( "!!!Double Homing Finished!!!" );


#Events

int ApplysettingsButton = 168;

struct Setting {
   public double Value;
   public int ScreenField;
}

struct AxisConfig {
   public string AxisName;
   //Proximity Input
   public Setting ProximityPin;
   public Setting ProximityPort;
   //Micro Input
   public Setting MicroPin;
   public Setting MicroPort;
   //Feedrates
   public Setting FastHomingUp;
   public Setting FastHomingDown;
   public Setting SlowHomingUp;
   public Setting SlowHomingDown;
   //Buttons
   public int HomingButton;
}

struct Config_{
   public AxisConfig X;
   public AxisConfig Y;
   public AxisConfig Z;
}

void DoubleHoming(AxisConfig AC)
{
   //Fast homing
   exec.AddStatusmessage( "- Fast Homing " + AC.AxisName + " Axis -");
   //set proximity as home sensor
   setFieldValue(AC.ProximityPin);
   setFieldValue(AC.ProximityPort);
   //set fast feedrates
   setFieldValue(AC.FastHomingUp);
   setFieldValue(AC.FastHomingDown);
   //Applysettings
   exec.Callbutton(ApplysettingsButton);
   //home axis
   exec.Callbutton(AC.HomingButton);
   while(exec.IsMoving()){}
   
   //Slow homing
   exec.AddStatusmessage( "- Slow Homing " + AC.AxisName + " Axis -");
   //set precision switch as home sensor
   setFieldValue(AC.MicroPin);
   setFieldValue(AC.MicroPort);
   //set slow feedrates
   setFieldValue(AC.SlowHomingUp);
   setFieldValue(AC.SlowHomingDown);
   //Applysettings
   exec.Callbutton(ApplysettingsButton);
   //home axis
   exec.Callbutton(AC.HomingButton);
   while(exec.IsMoving()){}
}

void setFieldValue(Setting s){
   AS3.Setfield(s.Value, s.ScreenField);
   AS3.Validatefield(s.ScreenField);
}

[El Ventu]

sebba is right and he is describing exactly a homing procedure. So I thought, why not make 2 homings for each axis?
And that's what I did.
This was an interesting exercise, I got to use structs, #events and learn more about macro programming.

Enough said, here is the code. Right now it works only with X, Y and Z, but it can easily be expanded to include A,B and C axes.
You need at least 2 input pins, one for all the proximity sensors and one for all the precision switches. Fast and slow feedrates, up and down the sensors, are individually set for each axis.
Let me know what you think.

Code: Select all

Config_ Config = new Config_{
   //X Axis
   X = new AxisConfig{ AxisName = "X",
                  //Inputs
                  ProximityPin = new Setting{ Value = 1, ScreenField = 5},
                  ProximityPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 245},
                  MicroPin = new Setting{ Value = 1, ScreenField = 5},
                  MicroPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 245},
                  //Feedrates
                  FastHomingUp = new Setting{ Value = 1000, ScreenField = 6},
                  FastHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 250, ScreenField = 15},
                  SlowHomingUp =  new Setting{ Value = 50, ScreenField = 6},
                  SlowHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 10, ScreenField = 15},
                  //Buttons
                  HomingButton = 107
   },
   //Y Axis
   Y = new AxisConfig{ AxisName = "Y",
                  //Inputs
                  ProximityPin = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 20},
                  ProximityPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 250},
                  MicroPin = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 20},
                  MicroPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 250},
                  //Feedrates
                  FastHomingUp = new Setting{ Value = 1000, ScreenField = 21},
                  FastHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 250, ScreenField = 30},
                  SlowHomingUp =  new Setting{ Value = 50, ScreenField = 21},
                  SlowHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 10, ScreenField = 30},
                  //Buttons
                  HomingButton = 108
   },
   //Z Axis
   Z = new AxisConfig{ AxisName = "Z",
                  //Inputs
                  ProximityPin = new Setting{ Value = 3, ScreenField = 35},
                  ProximityPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 255},
                  MicroPin = new Setting{ Value = 3, ScreenField = 35},
                  MicroPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 255},
                  //Feedrates
                  FastHomingUp = new Setting{ Value = 500, ScreenField = 36},
                  FastHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 250, ScreenField = 45},
                  SlowHomingUp =  new Setting{ Value = 50, ScreenField = 36},
                  SlowHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 10, ScreenField = 45},
                  //Buttons
                  HomingButton = 109
   }
};


exec.AddStatusmessage( "!!!Double Homing Started!!!" );
DoubleHoming(Config.Z);
DoubleHoming(Config.X);
DoubleHoming(Config.Y);
exec.AddStatusmessage( "!!!Double Homing Finished!!!" );


#Events

int ApplysettingsButton = 168;

struct Setting {
   public double Value;
   public int ScreenField;
}

struct AxisConfig {
   public string AxisName;
   //Proximity Input
   public Setting ProximityPin;
   public Setting ProximityPort;
   //Micro Input
   public Setting MicroPin;
   public Setting MicroPort;
   //Feedrates
   public Setting FastHomingUp;
   public Setting FastHomingDown;
   public Setting SlowHomingUp;
   public Setting SlowHomingDown;
   //Buttons
   public int HomingButton;
}

struct Config_{
   public AxisConfig X;
   public AxisConfig Y;
   public AxisConfig Z;
}

void DoubleHoming(AxisConfig AC)
{
   //Fast homing
   exec.AddStatusmessage( "- Fast Homing " + AC.AxisName + " Axis -");
   //set proximity as home sensor
   setFieldValue(AC.ProximityPin);
   setFieldValue(AC.ProximityPort);
   //set fast feedrates
   setFieldValue(AC.FastHomingUp);
   setFieldValue(AC.FastHomingDown);
   //Applysettings
   exec.Callbutton(ApplysettingsButton);
   //home axis
   exec.Callbutton(AC.HomingButton);
   while(exec.IsMoving()){}
   
   //Slow homing
   exec.AddStatusmessage( "- Slow Homing " + AC.AxisName + " Axis -");
   //set precision switch as home sensor
   setFieldValue(AC.MicroPin);
   setFieldValue(AC.MicroPort);
   //set slow feedrates
   setFieldValue(AC.SlowHomingUp);
   setFieldValue(AC.SlowHomingDown);
   //Applysettings
   exec.Callbutton(ApplysettingsButton);
   //home axis
   exec.Callbutton(AC.HomingButton);
   while(exec.IsMoving()){}
}

void setFieldValue(Setting s){
   AS3.Setfield(s.Value, s.ScreenField);
   AS3.Validatefield(s.ScreenField);
}

Wow, thank you!
At the moment the machine is in the developing stage, but be sure that your help is truly appreciated and I'm going to test it!

This is my first machine, so I have lots of questions and doubts.

In the meantime I made the sensors holder....

[El Ventu]

sebba is right and he is describing exactly a homing procedure. So I thought, why not make 2 homings for each axis?
And that's what I did.
This was an interesting exercise, I got to use structs, #events and learn more about macro programming.

Enough said, here is the code. Right now it works only with X, Y and Z, but it can easily be expanded to include A,B and C axes.
You need at least 2 input pins, one for all the proximity sensors and one for all the precision switches. Fast and slow feedrates, up and down the sensors, are individually set for each axis.
Let me know what you think.

Code: Select all

Config_ Config = new Config_{
   //X Axis
   X = new AxisConfig{ AxisName = "X",
                  //Inputs
                  ProximityPin = new Setting{ Value = 1, ScreenField = 5},
                  ProximityPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 245},
                  MicroPin = new Setting{ Value = 1, ScreenField = 5},
                  MicroPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 245},
                  //Feedrates
                  FastHomingUp = new Setting{ Value = 1000, ScreenField = 6},
                  FastHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 250, ScreenField = 15},
                  SlowHomingUp =  new Setting{ Value = 50, ScreenField = 6},
                  SlowHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 10, ScreenField = 15},
                  //Buttons
                  HomingButton = 107
   },
   //Y Axis
   Y = new AxisConfig{ AxisName = "Y",
                  //Inputs
                  ProximityPin = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 20},
                  ProximityPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 250},
                  MicroPin = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 20},
                  MicroPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 250},
                  //Feedrates
                  FastHomingUp = new Setting{ Value = 1000, ScreenField = 21},
                  FastHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 250, ScreenField = 30},
                  SlowHomingUp =  new Setting{ Value = 50, ScreenField = 21},
                  SlowHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 10, ScreenField = 30},
                  //Buttons
                  HomingButton = 108
   },
   //Z Axis
   Z = new AxisConfig{ AxisName = "Z",
                  //Inputs
                  ProximityPin = new Setting{ Value = 3, ScreenField = 35},
                  ProximityPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 255},
                  MicroPin = new Setting{ Value = 3, ScreenField = 35},
                  MicroPort = new Setting{ Value = 2, ScreenField = 255},
                  //Feedrates
                  FastHomingUp = new Setting{ Value = 500, ScreenField = 36},
                  FastHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 250, ScreenField = 45},
                  SlowHomingUp =  new Setting{ Value = 50, ScreenField = 36},
                  SlowHomingDown = new Setting{ Value = 10, ScreenField = 45},
                  //Buttons
                  HomingButton = 109
   }
};


exec.AddStatusmessage( "!!!Double Homing Started!!!" );
DoubleHoming(Config.Z);
DoubleHoming(Config.X);
DoubleHoming(Config.Y);
exec.AddStatusmessage( "!!!Double Homing Finished!!!" );


#Events

int ApplysettingsButton = 168;

struct Setting {
   public double Value;
   public int ScreenField;
}

struct AxisConfig {
   public string AxisName;
   //Proximity Input
   public Setting ProximityPin;
   public Setting ProximityPort;
   //Micro Input
   public Setting MicroPin;
   public Setting MicroPort;
   //Feedrates
   public Setting FastHomingUp;
   public Setting FastHomingDown;
   public Setting SlowHomingUp;
   public Setting SlowHomingDown;
   //Buttons
   public int HomingButton;
}

struct Config_{
   public AxisConfig X;
   public AxisConfig Y;
   public AxisConfig Z;
}

void DoubleHoming(AxisConfig AC)
{
   //Fast homing
   exec.AddStatusmessage( "- Fast Homing " + AC.AxisName + " Axis -");
   //set proximity as home sensor
   setFieldValue(AC.ProximityPin);
   setFieldValue(AC.ProximityPort);
   //set fast feedrates
   setFieldValue(AC.FastHomingUp);
   setFieldValue(AC.FastHomingDown);
   //Applysettings
   exec.Callbutton(ApplysettingsButton);
   //home axis
   exec.Callbutton(AC.HomingButton);
   while(exec.IsMoving()){}
   
   //Slow homing
   exec.AddStatusmessage( "- Slow Homing " + AC.AxisName + " Axis -");
   //set precision switch as home sensor
   setFieldValue(AC.MicroPin);
   setFieldValue(AC.MicroPort);
   //set slow feedrates
   setFieldValue(AC.SlowHomingUp);
   setFieldValue(AC.SlowHomingDown);
   //Applysettings
   exec.Callbutton(ApplysettingsButton);
   //home axis
   exec.Callbutton(AC.HomingButton);
   while(exec.IsMoving()){}
}

void setFieldValue(Setting s){
   AS3.Setfield(s.Value, s.ScreenField);
   AS3.Validatefield(s.ScreenField);
}

Hello!
Finally I bench tested it!
I have two requests, if you can help me.

First one:
I saw that the axis are moving to the proximity switch at the set speed, then retract of the back off distance set in the settings page, then they goes to the microswitch, then retract of the set distance and set the axis zero point.

The issue is that if the procedure continues to the following axis, the proximities are already active, unless I increase the back off distance enough to deactivate them.
But if I do that, I lose about 20mm axis travel.

Is possible to, for example, set a secondary back-off distance to move the axis away from the proximity only after setting the homing point?

Second one:
I modified the macro to be called by the homing button from the 113 to the 20000 and saved settings but, when I restart UCCNC, the macro button restore the macro 113 recall.
How I can fix that?

Thank you a lot!
Davide

[El Ventu]

This is how I installed the proximity, perpendicular to the axis movement, and the microswitch, axially to the axis movement.

[cncdrive]

First: You can execute a movement after the homing finished with the exec.Code("G1 ... Fxxx"); in your macro to make the axis move back to whatever point you want.

Second: You have to save the screenset, there is a button for that in the screen editor window.