Probe test problem
I'm getting back on the job of making my plasma table work with PlasmaC; I just updated to the latest code from master, and I've run into a couple snags.
I'm having a problem with the Probe Test button in Axis. First it took me a few dozen tries to realize that you have to _hold down_ the Probe Test button to get it to do anything. Once I figured that out, the torch would jog downward, contact the material I'd set up, and then throw an error that the ohmic sensor had been detected before it was expected. I suspect I've done something wrong with height setting. I have homing and limit switches on the Z axis, so homing is accomplished in the usual LinuxCNC manner. I tried touching off to the material by eye, but Probe Test still throws the same error. Can someone tell me the correct procedure?
I'm also getting the following error when I start LinuxCNC with my PlasmaC config; I suspect this is due to my configs being out of sync with the latest code from master. Has this been seen before? I've attached the full run output in case anyone is curious.
gladevcp: trouble looking for handlers in 'plasmac_config': int() argument must be a string or a number, not 'NoneType'
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/home/plasma/linuxcnc-dev/bin/gladevcp", line 129, in load_handlers
objlist = h(halcomp,builder,useropts)
File "./plasmac_config.py", line 347, in get_handlers
return [HandlerClass(halcomp,builder,useropts)]
File "./plasmac_config.py", line 343, in __init__
self.check_hal_connections()
File "./plasmac_config.py", line 313, in check_hal_connections
level = int(self.i.find('TRAJ', 'SPINDLES')) or 1
TypeError: int() argument must be a string or a number, not 'NoneType'
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BUTTON_n_CODE = probe-test 30
The probe error indicates that you don't have Probe Height in the Config Panel set high enough.
It looks like you need to run the Configurator in Upgrade Mode linuxcnc.org/docs/devel/html/plasma/plas...isting_configuration
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I ran the Configurator in upgrade mode and it did successfully clear up the Python stack trace. However I'm still puzzled by Probe Test. The config has a line that says:
BUTTON_3_CODE = probe-test
And the Probe Test button shows up, but a single click and release causes the Z axis to move down slightly and return to its starting position. Holding it down is the only thing that gets longer motion out of it. I have made a video of what I'm seeing, linked below. Please forgive the messy cable arrangement and the fact that the probe tip bumps into some stock on its way down - this machine is still very much in development.
Probe Test demo
I understand what you said about the Probe Height not being set high enough, and where to change that; I did notice that if I change the number in that panel, click Save, and then click Reload, the number goes back to what it had been before I changed it. This is probably a peripheral issue.
I wonder if the Z axis on my machine is configured incorrectly. I have it homing to the top limit switch (that is, at maximum Z+ travel). I then bring it down to the bed slats and use Touch Off on the Z axis and set the offset to 0. Pardon me stating the obvious, but to be clear, this means that the bed is at 0" and the top of the torch travel, where it will run into the Z+ limit switch, is at around 1.5" (the torch deliberately doesn't have much travel, I don't expect to cut anything over 1/4" thick on this machine).
Should, instead, the top of the Z travel be 0", and the slats be -1.5"? I tried to experiment with the ini file to move the Z travel into the lower-right quadrant of the Cartesian plane, but wasn't successful, so I was unable to test this theory.
It's probably obvious since I'm using homing against limit switches, but, the machine is built with open loop steppers, not servo motors or hybrids.
Any advice appreciated, and thank you for all of your hard work on the plasmac component!
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BUTTON_n_CODE = probe-test 30
linuxcnc.org/docs/devel/html/plasma/plas...de.html#_button_code
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I forgot to answer...I understand what you said about the Probe Height not being set high enough, and where to change that; I did notice that if I change the number in that panel, click Save, and then click Reload, the number goes back to what it had been before I changed it. This is probably a peripheral issue.
I pushed a fix for that yesterday.
Until you update when you change a parameter by keyboard, press enter to make the entry stick.
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Should, instead, the top of the Z travel be 0", and the slats be -1.5"? I tried to experiment with the ini file to move the Z travel into the lower-right quadrant of the Cartesian plane, but wasn't successful, so I was unable to test this theory.
The +ve should be at the top (ie going -ve down) So home the machine then take the Z down to near the bottom "touch off to 0" then take the Z back to near the top . Then in the config panel set the probe height (this actually sets the height above the slats +ve number the the Z will rapid down to before the start of the probe) The final probe speed is controlled by the probe-speed box in the config panel.
As has been said by Phil (I had the same prob) after a setting in the config panel you have to press enter and then save. This has now been fixed (Thanks Phill)
I am at the same stage as you.
![:) :)](/media/kunena/emoticons/smile.png)
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- snowgoer540
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I am wondering if I have my Z axis configuration backward? Right now Z homes at the top, and everything from there would be travel in the negative direction.
As can be seen in the attached picture:
MIN LIMIT = -4.7
MAX LIMIT = 0.001
HOME OFFSET = 0.0
Any help is greatly appreciated, I am so close to making sparks.
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After homing don't jog Z, let PlasmaC handle all Z motion.
If for some reason you need to jog Z you should Put it back to where you started.
Edit: this may help linuxcnc.org/docs/devel/html/plasma/plas...de.html#_coordinates
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- snowgoer540
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I tried starting linuxcnc, homing, and then clicking probe test. It comes down hits the metal, trips the switch, gives the aforementioned error, waits the 30 seconds and returns to the top of the travel.
Something definitely isn’t right but I don’t know what it is or how to fix it.
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You press Probe Test and Z moves down at the rapid rate, hits the sheet then gives the "float switch detected while moving to probe height" error
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