UC-100 and two probe inputs

[andymarine]

Hi,

I am a new user of UCCNC having converted my machine to use the UC-100 board. I am trying to figure out the best solution for my use case. So I wondered if anyone has any ideas.

I have a 3D digitizing probe that is tied to the probe input in UCCNC (pin 10), and I have a digital tool height setter that is tied to a different pin (pin 15) on my board (a fairly cheap 6040 CNC single board driver).

My aim here is to use the 3D probe to get zero z, x and y etc for my work piece, and use the tool height setter to set my tool offsets.

I wanted to see if any one had any ideas of how to get both these inputs tied to the UC-100's single probe option in UCCNC? I do not want to rewire the probes to be on the same pin unless it is a last resort. If I could tie both pins together in software then I think that would suffice for the vast majority of probing routines.

Not that it should make any difference, but for info, I am using Gerry's 2022 screenset and I am currently learning the included probing routines.

Thanks
Andy

[cncdrive]

The UC100 supports a single probe input only, so you cannot connect the 2 probes to 2 input pins.
You could use the UC400ETH or UC300ETH-5LPT or AXBB-E controllers they all support 2 probe inputs.

[andymarine]

Thanks, yes, that's my understanding from my research. I have both the UC300 and the UC400 in different machines. To rebuild the entire system on the machine being controlled by the UC100 would not be cost-effective, and would neccessitate a huge amount of work.

Is there no way in the UCCNC software that I can just tie in the two probes to that particular input?

[cncdrive]

No, there is no way. The UC100 program memory is so full already that it would not fit to handle 2 probes.
The price difference of the UC100 and UC400ETH is little, 30 EUR, I don't think that it should be a problem for a thousands of Euros worth machine.

[andymarine]

Yeah the cost of the controller is not much, but I need to buy new stepper drivers, enclosure and I just invested in the software license that is tied to the UC-100. It adds up pretty quick. Especially since the system is one of those single boards that came with the machine; and in all honesty the machine is basically a toy. I might just have to deal with it. Thanks for the replies.

[cncdrive]

No, you don't have to buy new stepper drives, the UC400ETH can drive the same drives as what the UC100 can drive.
So, if you already shave some stepper drives and control box which works with the UC100 that will also work with the UC400ETH.

[andymarine]

OK, I understand now, it just dawned on me. Thanks for the explaination.

[charliem]

I have this same setup on a 6040. I have connected the fixed plate and the movable z plate to the same pin and I don't have any issues.

[andymarine]

Thanks Charlie, I just tried that, and I think my two probes are different as when connected to a single pin, they both need to be triggered to trigger the probe input. One is an active probe with 5v, Gnd and Signal; and the other a swtiched probe, Gnd and signal. I clearly need to do some more work.

I do have another driver board already UC300ETH that is going into a different machine, so might just go and use that if I can't figure out the wiring.

[fixebr]

Thanks Charlie, I just tried that, and I think my two probes are different as when connected to a single pin, they both need to be triggered to trigger the probe input. One is an active probe with 5v, Gnd and Signal; and the other a swtiched probe, Gnd and signal. I clearly need to do some more work.

I do have another driver board already UC300ETH that is going into a different machine, so might just go and use that if I can't figure out the wiring.

The first option to connect 2 NC (normal-closed) sensor is that the signal wire of one sensor is used to power to the second sensor, which is already connected to the controller. Then the operation of the first sensor will turn off the second, and the board will still receive a signal of response.
The second way is that you can make a miniature adapter to invert the signal from the sensor to turn the normal-closed signal (NC) from the sensors to the normally open (NO). You can easily connect 2 sensors in parallel to one input.
The third way is to make a comparator, that is, to embody the scheme "logical or" on two transistors. You can read more about it here: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hb ... te.html#c2

I have 2 NPN-NC sensors (that is, when the sensor does not apply to the part or tool, the signal wire is connected to the GND, when touched this connection disappears), and I first used the first way, but I do not think that it is correct. Then the manufacturer of my sensors made a harmonization board, but alas, he no longer sells it.