C3 command.

[gundog]

I just started using my Prox switches to zero my machine a few months ago I bought the SB in 08. Before using the prox switches I always used a lazer edge finder to locate my X & Y zero it is very slow compared to using the prox switches. Right now I have the distances written on my table top for the prox switch location and have been manually entering the zero point using the VA command and manually entering the data.

I was watching some of the training videos in the SB archive and I see the C3 command to zero X & Y and thought I need to set my machine up for this. How do you set up the offset for the C3 to work I have searched and I am missing this bit of info?

Thanks Mike

[adrianm]

It's one of the prompts when you run the ShopBot Setup (TS) procedure within SB3.

It sets the &my_XYzeroOffsetX and &my_XYzeroOffsetY values in the c:\sbparts\Custom\my_variables.sbc file.

[gundog]

Thanks I am going to try and get it setup tomorrow I have a couple sheets to cut.

Mike

[jerry_stanek]

When you go into the set up make sure you take into account for the offset that is there already. mine defaulted to .5 for each but I had to add the manual offset to that to get it to zero.

[gundog]

I got the C3 command setup on my machine man I feel stupid for doing it any other way now. I have been doing a lot of watching videos from both SB and Vetric and have been learning many new things. It is funny before watching some of these videos I think to myself I know how to do that then I watch the video and learn a better or faster way. This old dog is learning a few new tricks.

Mike

[Bob Eustace]

Reckon the best use for C3 is recovery without heatache. Shopbot should be congratulated for making it so accurate with such fantastic repeatability. Mike I didnt se it muchnat the start but now couldnt live without it!

[steve_g]

Mike...
I second what Bob said... But If you find that your repeatability is not extremely reliable, you might check the proximity sensor to target distance. Repeatability is directly related to distance.

SG

[myxpykalix]

Michael,

Some people do this differently but this is something i've done from the beginning. Regardless of whether you X,Y zero in the center of material or Lower Left.
I zero my table via prox switches using C3 that lands it at 0,0
Then i manually move the bit to the X,Y zero point on my material (say the center)
then i look at the interface and take those readings and write them down on a piece of paper example: X 19.250 Y 22.345
Then i Zero my X,Y
Start my file

If something happens where i lose coordinates, i just do another C3 and then do MX 19.250 MY 22.345 and you are right back where you started from. Others do offsets from in the program but without the info written down if your computer craps out you've lost it all. At least you have it written down:D

[Simops]

Quick question about C3....hope I'm not hijacking this thread with my question....

I always use the C3 and normally start from the 0, 0 position to cut from.
Anyhow today I was cutting some alum from another spot on my material and zeroed the X and Y at that spot. I didn't take down the X & Y co-ordinates before zeroing ( as Jack suggests).
I got interrupted half way through the cut and had to shut down the Bot and drive off. Tomorrow I want to finish the cut.

Now if I don't move the buddy table and turn on the power will the Bot 0, 0 still be where I left it before I shut it down? Hope so, because if it isn't I've lost my start spot and no way to accurately position it again to cut the rest of the part out. ( should of done what Jack said above but didn't think I was going to get interrupted :rolleyes:)!!

Cheers

[jerry_stanek]

theoretically yes unless you re zero it before you start again. You will have to rezero the z as it may have dropped a little

[curtiss]

The xy position will not move overnight from what I have seen,

you could leave the bot on overnight but that is not really needed

I like Jacks idea, having 0, 0 in the middle of the work piece has advantages.

[gundog]

On my machine a 2008 PRS standard no mine would tick and be off as much as .060". When I shut mine down and restart my X or Y will move a little usually only one axis moves but it is enough to ruin a project.

Mike


Quick question about C3....hope I'm not hijacking this thread with my question....

I always use the C3 and normally start from the 0, 0 position to cut from.
Anyhow today I was cutting some alum from another spot on my material and zeroed the X and Y at that spot. I didn't take down the X & Y co-ordinates before zeroing ( as Jack suggests).
I got interrupted half way through the cut and had to shut down the Bot and drive off. Tomorrow I want to finish the cut.

Now if I don't move the buddy table and turn on the power will the Bot 0, 0 still be where I left it before I shut it down? Hope so, because if it isn't I've lost my start spot and no way to accurately position it again to cut the rest of the part out. ( should of done what Jack said above but didn't think I was going to get interrupted :rolleyes:)!!

Cheers

[kubotaman]

Mike when you execute the C3 command the machine should always be in the exact same spot every time. I have also had to stop cutting and come back to finish a project. I have had no problems. It was suggested that possibly your proximity sensor was a set a little too far apart. I do not know what the setting is but I can tell you that it is quite close. Mine are set as close to each other without hitting. That very well could be the problem. Try to see if that makes a difference.

[jerry_stanek]

I have cut some stuff that is printed with register marks and have had a problem after I c3 zeroed and started the job like break a bit and have lost the x y zero so I just put a new bit in zero it run the c3 and start cutting again with no problems.

[gundog]

I think you are misunderstanding what I am saying so far C3 works fine. What I am saying is if I turn my machine off like the guy above posted it will not return to the exact same spot when it is turned back on mine always jogs a little when the control box is turned on and will not be in the exact same place as when I turned it off. The control says it is in the same place but it usually is not.

Mike

[Simops]

Ok just got back to my buddy, didn't move the table (exact same position I left it yesterday) and turned on the power.

Did not C3 again just C2 (Z zeroed). Started the file again (minus what I had already cut yesterday) and it cut perfectly.

Which means that my X / Y zero stayed where I left it before I shut down the Bot. Turning the Bot on again didn't seem to budge these settings.......thankfully ;)

So the rule is don't budge the Buddy table OR in case you do make sure you write down the co- ordinates before zeroing out the X & Y, as Jack says above, so you can always do a C3 again and the move the Bot back to these co-ordinates and then re-zero again.

Learnt something again.....sweet!

Cheers

[kubotaman]

Hopefully Mike I understand what is being said. When I quit any file or have to quit for any reason I will always do a C3 command. I have tried to pick up from where I quit without doing a C3 and have always been off by a small amount which of course ruins what I am cutting. Since then I always do the C3 and have not had a problem since.

[myxpykalix]

When I quit any file or have to quit for any reason I will always do a C3 command.

NO...if for some reason you have to quit before a file is finished here is what i do.
1)I usually have a camera handy and take a picture of where the bit is located on the material.
2)I copy down the line number (before i quit) that it is at.
3)then i just pause the file and leave everything alone and come back the next day.
4)If that's not feasible then i do like i just said in 1&2 but then i use the File/GoTo command and follow the prompts.
It is important that you use the picture and place your bit in the same area as you stopped at or if you go back to 0,0 and restart with FG you will ruin your material.
I have not had to do this in a few years so they may have changed this, not sure:confused:
Also you need to redo your C2 before you start also.

[Simops]

Daryl....what Jack said.....

It can get confusing when explaining in words.....

The C3 zero's the X & Y to the prox switches.....so that's no problems...if you have your material setup to that fine......if you stop, shut down and then return later and turn on the machine theoretically should be fine to start again but if you moved the table or gantry then the X / Y zero is lost. But in this case just run the C3 again and back in business to continue cutting.

BUT if you originally ran the C3, then moved your material somewhere else on your table and then moved the X / Y to the material and zeroed X/ Y there, then stopped and shut down, then came back and restarted the Bot, theoretically all is OK to restart cutting AS LONG AS THE BUDDY TABLE OR GANTRY was not moved.

So to be safe it is best to do what Jack says and take the actual X & Y positions before zeroing anywhere else on the table unless it is at the prox X / Y zero. This way you can C3 then move to those saved physical positions again accurately and re-zero.

Does that make sense??

Cheers

[kubotaman]

Mike I understand what Jack is saying as far as taking the co-ordinates if I have to stop in the middle of cutting a file. I do that myself but before re-cutting after my machine is turned off I always will do the C3 command. I did not do the command a few times and it has ruined my project. I now do the C3 then re-enter the co-ordinates and then resume cutting. Hasn't failed me yet.

[srwtlc]

There are a couple of other ways of doing this. I've been using one of them for years and rely on it often to make sure I'm where I want to be after shutting down for the day or due to some other positional loss condition.

First off, the older PRT's, upon turning on the control box, would often lock in one step on either side of where it last was and be slightly off (I imagine that the 4G setup could do the same thing). I don't know how the newer PRS Standards behave upon numerous shut down and restarts, but they may also nudge just a little upon restarting numerous times. I know that my PRS Alpha will hold quite true to the last known location, but will occasionally 'creep' ever so slightly over a number of times cycling off/on. Then there's the possible 'bump' of a machine while it's off. Both of which are why I use this system of 'Work Offsets' where locations are saved and then can be returned to accurately time after time.

If you happen to be using SB3 v3.8 (3.8.8 as of 8/28/13), you can use the memorize buttons on the KeyPad to save locations. The downside of this system is that you have to remember to do a Z2 once you have moved to that location before using that location or you'll cut from table 0,0 instead. There are some options when saving or right clicking a memory button, but since I don't use it, I haven't really dug into it much further than that (just found it not as handy or bug free while beta testing).

With the attached files, you can save up to 6 locations and go between any of them or back to table base as desired. More locations can easily be added with some simple file editing. If your C3 system is working properly, there's no reason to get lost again. ;) Instructions are in the ReadMe.

[Simops]

Mike I understand what Jack is saying as far as taking the co-ordinates if I have to stop in the middle of cutting a file. I do that myself but before re-cutting after my machine is turned off I always will do the C3 command. I did not do the command a few times and it has ruined my project. I now do the C3 then re-enter the co-ordinates and then resume cutting. Hasn't failed me yet.

Spot on.....

Cheers

[Bob Eustace]

Scott, I have found the memorized radio buttons to be one of the most handy features in 3.8 and would be hard pressed to live without it now! Like you I have set positions on each one and use it for VERY fast positioning to zero Z. An example is button 1. Great for zeroing near C3 - goes to X2 and Y2. Its all so quick with no brain power required. Kit K, press 1, hit escape, do your C2. Reckon its as good as having an MPG. Only chance of error is if you forget to do a C3 !!!!!!!!! At the start of the day. Who me???