I posted yesterday with problems with stepper motor making noise but not moving. I did manage to solve that problem.
I have a Shapeoko 3 from Sparkfun. I could never get it to work with Limit or Homing switches. It was suggested to me to switch to Tinyg. I have things very nearly working. Can move XY and Z. I can pass the Test=1 (Smoke) and Test=2 (Homing) But on Test 3 (Squares) The Z axis will hit the upper limit switch and shut down the Machine. I am including a dropbox link to a folder with my settings and the output from the test. Thanks in advance for your help.
Helpful way to communicate, but unfortunately the upper half of the $$ parameter dump is missing from the file.
Missing from this info are the Z axis settings.
By FW design, the level at top of Z , the Z limit switch, is Z=0 and all Z motion should be negative from there.
My Guess is that your Z zero is not set right ore the Zmax value is >0 ?
You need to determine the actual range of Z motion f.or your setup, then set $zmn and $zmx accordingly
Sorry, I thought it was there. I just put another file with the dump in it. I had set Z max to a positive number. I changed it to a negative number however the test still fails.
If you are homing the machine before you run tests to set the 0,0,0 point,
then $ztn should be -32 and $ztm should be 0.0
I am off to find the Gcode for Test 3, Squares, to see what it specify's for maximum z level. Have never run it myself.
Note that $ztn and $ztm really only matter if you use soft limits.
Since $sl=0, soft limits are off
Try turning homing and limits off, i.e. $xsn=$xsm=$ysn=$ysm=$zsn=$zsm=0.
Jog or manually move your gantry to where you think 0,0,0 should be and hit the tinyG reset, which will make that location 0,0,0.
then run squares.
I have read the section on homing and limits. I was very happy to to get the machine to home. I also turned off limits. The test will complete. However it slams the z axis top and bottom several times. It also makes a lot of growing noises allthow it does not seem to be making the belt slip. I also adjusted a lot of other settings suggested on the shapeoko page at TinyG. I will put the new settings in the dropbox folder.
Is there a way to save and then reload settings into the tinyG or do you have to change or reset by hand.
I was wondering if you have a hello world Gcode file for tiny G?
What method do you use to send Gcode?
Terminal app, Chilipeppr, cnc.js, etc ?.
Chilipeppr has a logo file that performs a graphical hello world of sorts
If you are planning to use Z homing (to top of range), then $ztm = -50 and $ztm = 0 and you need to build you Gcode appropriately.
Most folks don't use the Z limit Switch. It can create a lot of confusion for users who run auto level with PCB milling.
If you command Z axis to move 10mm, does it move just 10mm?
Not exactly Gcode, but you can see what is going on.
It is not compatible with ShapeOKO, attempts to traverse 10,20 and 40mm cubes.
Code probably pre-dates the shapeoko
What is the command to move z 10 mm? I have set up chillipepper. It connects to my Pi json server. I can send $$ command and ge feed back from the tinyG. When I pull down the play sample run. Nothing happens. The image in the browser starts to move but nothing happens on the shapeoko. I did get a message about a tool change but I could not find any control for that.
I watched a tutorial on how to use chilipeppr and I am able to sent the gone to the shapeoko. It still seems like there is something wrong with my z axis. when it moves it moves bam to the top limit. And then Bam to the bottom limit. I would still like to know the command that would move the z axis 10 mm.
Lets focus on Chilipeppr setup, the one I am most familiar with
Easiest way to move Z is to use the Jog widget. based on settings, you can move axis up or down with fine or coarse adjustments.
I think your M4 parameters are OK, $4tr=1.25 is typical but depends on what thread is used on the gantry
Make sure to reset the tinyG after making parameter changes to make sure the changed parameters are installed.
Getting closer. I have figured out how to jog with chillyPepper. When I use the jog the z axis seems function as expected. When I enter into the command like a G0Z10 or any other number. Most of the time slams the z axis to the top. And then I have to reset TinyG. Or it slams to the bottom and I have to reset TinyG. Not sure if it is safe to continue? What do you think?
The Chillipepr Jog widget has a setting for how far to move with each click.
When you click to make one jog move, you should see a G0Zxx command in the serial port console.
So if you set jog granularity to 1 mm, then a 1mm jog should show in the Serial Port Console as a G0Z1 command.
Are you seeing that?
Do other axes jog accurately?
Are you sure you stepper motor parameters are correctly entered?
You issue implies that too many step pulses are being sent to the motor or that the motor is moving too far per step pulse
No, I just put a new one up. I think I almost have everything working. I had used in a motor travel setting for z axis that was recomended in the wiki for shapeoko but was for a threaded Z instead of a belt Z. That was making it take gross movements that was slamming the z axis top and bottom. I think I am about ready to try and calibrate the travel and check level and square. Maybe someday I will actually cut something.