Z Zero question

[sawkerf]

I made and installed a Z Zero jig to zero off of the table when cutting sheet goods. My question is this. What should I show as the thickness of my z plate when it is going to be set flush to the top of the spoilboard. Should it be set to 0? Also, how would I go about creating a routine separate from the C2 command to use with the new jig? I will need to maintain the use of my original plate as well. I'm not savvy with programming so I am wondering if there is a file in the shopbot software that I could copy and just plug in my coordinates? Thanks for you help. I'll try to post a pic

[sawkerf]

Here's a pic of the jig

[srwtlc]

Kip, you can accomplish this in a couple of ways. In short, yes, you would edit your z zero routine to see a plate thickness as 0.00. You could have your normal method of running the z zero routine (hitting C2) ask you if you want to zero to the table at the location of your zeroing jig or zero using the zero plate elsewhere. If you want two separate routines, you can set it up as a 'Custom Cut' that you would then select/use from the 'Cuts' menu.

To just make a copy of your current routine and set it up on the 'Cuts' menu, you would open C:\SbParts\Zzero.sbp in SBedit and change the line that reads...

&zbot = &my_ZzeroThickness

...to...

&zbot = 0.00

Do a 'Save As' and give it a name like Zzero_Table.sbp. Then, take a look at Cuts/Setup custom cuts to see how to make a custom cut file for your new routine. Set it up with a number that is not used by another custom cut.

You will also need to edit the new z zero routine to move to your zeroing jig location or if you choose to make your normal routine ask which way you want to zero and if you choose the jig, it will then go to that spot first. This can be done with a little extra editing and setting that location in your my_variables file (the location can also be set by using Tools Setup (TS), but since you will be wanting to do one way or the other, you'll need a bit extra in the z zeroing file.

If you want some help, just ask and my email is in my profile (click my name and the about me tab).

[jerry_stanek]

In the setup there is a place set the plate thickness and any position on the table to zero to

[srwtlc]

You can use that, but anytime you want to switch to the other way, you'll have to remember to re-run setup to change the plate thickness and whether or not to use a set location.

Do you also use the manual tool change system in your files (adds another twist to things)? You could edit the z zero routine to change those 'Setup' values on the fly according to what way you want to z zero.

[adrianm]

That's basically what I did with my files. The Post Processor outputs the Z zero position and the tool change routine calls the plate routine or touch off point routine depending on the value.

[Justin G]

That's basically what I did with my files. The Post Processor outputs the Z zero position and the tool change routine calls the plate routine or touch off point routine depending on the value.
Adrian,
I think I am trying to do what you have done, or I may be wrong...

I have a 96X48 prs alpha with 12"Z and 4hp spindle. I have a memorized location in my K menu move the spindle to a spot that is convenient for me to manually change my bits. I do the change, then I run the C2 off the plate and go on with my day. What I would like to happen is program a custom cut like "c6" or something, and have the machine go to that same convenient spot, pause, I do the tool change and hit enter, then it moves it self to a pre set up zero plate somewhere off table to touch off and zero itself, then moves back home.

I'm sure this is possible, but what do I need as far as hardware/ programming. I would like to retain my zero plate for occasions when I have to zero off material tops too.

I guess I could cut a segment of the plate off to make a seperate zero jig elsewhere.

any help would be awesome. thanks.

[adrianm]

That's what I do.

Most of it is already in the ShopBot software with the C9 and C6 tool change routines.

What I did was to modify the C9 routine (MTC.sbp) so it looks at the value of &PWZorigin which is passed in from the Post Processor.

If the that is the Material Surface then it calls the the standard C2 routine to set the Z but if it's Table Surface then it calls my custom routine that goes to the location of my off table zero point and automatically zeroes to there.

I used the standard &my_ZzeroStartX and &my_ZzeroStartY variables for the location which can be set with the SB setup routine or manually edited in my_variables.sbc

All the pauses, prompts etc are part of the standard MTC routines.

[Justin G]

I made and installed a Z Zero jig to zero off of the table when cutting sheet goods. My question is this. What should I show as the thickness of my z plate when it is going to be set flush to the top of the spoilboard. Should it be set to 0? Also, how would I go about creating a routine separate from the C2 command to use with the new jig? I will need to maintain the use of my original plate as well. I'm not savvy with programming so I am wondering if there is a file in the shopbot software that I could copy and just plug in my coordinates? Thanks for you help. I'll try to post a pic
Thank you Adrian and Kip.

Kip, I started a whole new thread asking about the same exact thing you just showed a picture of above... I didnt realize what you had done until I turned my head sideways.

Can you tell me about how you wired the "Stevens" zero plate? Also where did you aquire those parts? I am looking forward to making one of these, thanks!

[adrianm]

This is my one. Doesn't get any simpler than this. The bolt can be screwed adjusted and locked down whenever the spoil board is resurfaced. The crocodile clip is wired into the same point as the z-zero plate in the control cabinet.