ProbeIt for UCCNC

[Demusman]

I'll ask again....
Is this plugin included when purchasing a probe from you?

[eabrust]

I'll ask again....
Is this plugin included when purchasing a probe from you?

HI Demusman,

I'll respectfully ask that the topic stay related to the technical functionality of ProbeIt plugin in this thread, ie: what works, what doesn't work right, feature requests, how I coded something, why I did it a certain way, answering questions with how to use it, etc...

If you have a question related to items for sale on my website, contact me directly please.

Since I'm not affiliated with CNCDrive, I don't want to step on any toes or cross any line by appearing to use this forum for advertising, that's not my intent in these discussions .


regards,
Eric

[eabrust]

Well I seem to be unable to duplicate the weird loading behavior, which will make it hard to trouble shoot here.

This screen shot is on Windows 7 32 bit, resolution of 1600x1200, scaling set to 150%, and it still loads fine even though it takes up the entire screen (this is a full screen screenshot).

At least I did find some references online to issues related to the scaling with some suggestions on setting behaviors of some of the controls, so I will try making some tweaks and recompiling to see if I can improve it for those with issues.


regards,
Eric

[thegreatwaldo]

Hi Eric

It must be a text scaling problem. I have a 4k monitor and if I set the scaling to anything apart from 100% the window is wrong (I have tried this on most different resolutions)


Cheers
Andrew

[eabrust]

Firstly, I hope to find that all of you are well in this odd 'pandemic' time... Things are certainly 'strange' in Illinois (USA), but I'm sure it is relatively 'normal' here in comparison to other places around the globe that are being hit harder.

While I've been unable to duplicate the weird load behavior on any of my computers that others have seen, I've spent some time going through the plugin trying to lock down and adjust things that may be affected by the window sizing. So I've put an updated version at the normal link location, with no functional changes to the plugin other than modifications to the form and controls to hopefully correct display issues.

If you had issues, please let me know if this version works better for you. I recommend you don't overwrite your XML file (saved settings), let it complain that items are not found when it loads, then hit the 'save settings' button to update the xml file for next time you open the program.

---------------------------


Plugin update, I just posted an updated version 1.002 of the plugin to download. This version only has changes to the form/controls to try and correct display issues. No new features or corrections to functional aspects.

Download location is same as before:
http://www.craftycnc.com/probeit-for-uccnc/, download link at the bottom of the page.



regards
Eric

[CL_MotoTech]

I spent quite a lot of time using this today. Luckily I got laid off from work last week as a part of the closing of all non-essential business in my state.

Before setup I did a once through of the machine that included washing it down, calibrating all axis, adjusting ways, and generally just assuring good condition of everything. The I calibrated the probe using the ID of a 17mm ID ball bearing. That went well, I adjusted probing parameters from there, and I settled on 10ipm first approach and 3ipm second.

The biggest consistent issue I have is that I can crash the probing cycle if I click into a different piece of software while the probing operation runs. This was consistent with Opera web browser, but also Edge browser where I was viewing the ProbeIt manual. I was using almost exclusively the internal cylinder probing with Z touch off, Z height set, and drop set. I tried to figure out how to get a video but I can't watch the screen and the probe operation simultaneously. It's worth noting that dialog on the screen set says the probe operation completes, but generally it won't even touch any internal sides after switching to another piece of software. It just kind of stops and then heads back up to the Z+ height, but the probe will be way off concentric. This crash is resolved by not switching software. So some patience was required on my part.

I think it would make more sense, IMO, if the Z clearance is in positive units and the Z Depth was expressed in negative units. I guess this is because I'm so used to touching off and setting Z-zero with the probe. Then down from there is a negative value. I got it to work obviously, so maybe it's just me being picky.

In the manual the language regarding the Diameter Mode LED and Diameter Mode Checkbox was confusing to me in that there is also the radio button in the center for circular pocket as well. After reading that section of the manual several times I realized that I didn't necessarily need the Diameter Mode Checkbox for what I was doing. So I left it unchecked and just changed the radio button to circular. I think an image in the manual clearly showing the Diameter Mod Checkbox would clear this up, I'm still not sure where the LED is?

Otherwise, all is pretty well. To really get moving only took just a few minutes. Getting the jog speed worked out, getting used to use the on-plugin jog buttons, etc.. It's a great plugin and I will certainly be purchasing it.

[thegreatwaldo]

Hi Eric
More problems with the latest version. I get an error message can't find control and the interrface still doesn't line up unless I use 100 % scaling on windows 7

Cheers
Andrew

[eabrust]

Hi Eric
More problems with the latest version. I get an error message can't find control and the interrface still doesn't line up unless I use 100 % scaling on windows 7

Cheers
Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for taking the time to check that for me. Unfortunately, I'm not surprised that it repeated. I've been testing using 4 different computers here, 2x w/ windows 10, and 2x w/ windows 7 (x86), and I can't get it to repeat on any of my computers, no mater the screen resolution or the font scaling selected....

I wonder if there is possibility it is a Windows 7 only type issue that is related to if some update has been applied or not? Either way, at this point, I'm going to say if I can't reproduce it, I probably can't fix it. If anyone has run it on Windows 10 and had it load weird, please let me know.

FYI, the 'can't find controls' error isn't really an error, it was expected because your settings XML file didn't align with the layout of the controls on the forms. I will make note to adjust that error message to be more meaningful, such as "Please hit 'save settings' button to update settings XML file"

regards
Eric

[thegreatwaldo]

Hi Eric
Thanks for the reply. I can dual boot to windows 10 on this machine. I'll try it now and see what happens and get back to you.

Cheers
Andrew

[eabrust]

I spent quite a lot of time using this today. Luckily I got laid off from work last week as a part of the closing of all non-essential business in my state.

As weird as it sounds, I can appreciate the 'luckily I got laid off' ... I was told last Friday to begin working from home this week, then Saturday I was called and told to get to work... needless to say, I was at work all day today, despite the state of Illinois being on an unenforced lockdown. Strange times!

Thanks also for your all your input CL_moto, I'll try and respond to your main points:

The biggest consistent issue I have is that I can crash the probing cycle if I click into a different piece of software while the probing operation runs. This was consistent with Opera web browser, but also Edge browser where I was viewing the ProbeIt manual. I was using almost exclusively the internal cylinder probing with Z touch off, Z height set, and drop set. I tried to figure out how to get a video but I can't watch the screen and the probe operation simultaneously. It's worth noting that dialog on the screen set says the probe operation completes, but generally it won't even touch any internal sides after switching to another piece of software. It just kind of stops and then heads back up to the Z+ height, but the probe will be way off concentric. This crash is resolved by not switching software. So some patience was required on my part.

FYI, this isn't a crash, it is a known issue I think I highlighted in the manual, and pointed out in this post: http://www.forum.cncdrive.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2385#p19109
Right now I don't have a way around it, and it would take help from CNC drive. If there was an option to allow UCCNC to maintain jog functionality on loss of focus, the plugin should work while multi-tasking. I can fully understand why UCCNC is the way it is, its safer the way it is. The other way to fix it would be if G31 was modified to allow multi-axis probing, then I could ditch what I did to make this plugin work, and go back to G31 calls which should work on loss of focus. Having been working on this plugin a while, I can understand how that may also possibly be a big job for CNC drive to do.... So all I can say for now, is don't multitask why probing

I think it would make more sense, IMO, if the Z clearance is in positive units and the Z Depth was expressed in negative units. I guess this is because I'm so used to touching off and setting Z-zero with the probe. Then down from there is a negative value. I got it to work obviously, so maybe it's just me being picky.

Thanks for your input. I'll put it on the list for to-do later. I appreciate that what I did doesn't make sense to everyone trying to use it, so I'm more than happy to try and improve it.

In the manual the language regarding the Diameter Mode LED and Diameter Mode Checkbox was confusing to me in that there is also the radio button in the center for circular pocket as well. After reading that section of the manual several times I realized that I didn't necessarily need the Diameter Mode Checkbox for what I was doing. So I left it unchecked and just changed the radio button to circular. I think an image in the manual clearly showing the Diameter Mod Checkbox would clear this up, I'm still not sure where the LED is?

Trust me, I know the manual needs work....Its just at lower priority than other parts of the actual plugin features I'm working on currently. To clarify; I'll just say that the 'pocket' routine is meant to quickly find centers and basic size of either rectangular or round pockets, the radio button for round/rectangle really only affects what is drawn into the DXF (doesn't affect how the probe routine works at all). The diameter mode is really meant for if you are trying to measure a bores actual diameter and roundness, using a bunch of points.

Thanks again for taking the time to give the plugin a test drive and give me some feed back. It definitely helps. Hopefully it provided a decent usable DXF file for your use.

regards
Eric