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Probotix Controller Question

1K views 5 replies 2 participants last post by  MEBCWD 
#1 ·
When I pause a cut I normally just leave everything on, record the line number in case of a power failure, and then hit pause when I come back. Now that I'm under the gun a little bit for this order of 9 (10 if you count the oops) carvings (18" to 24") to be picked up Sept 2 I got to run the machine pretty steady when I'm around. Now ... can I shut the controller box down when I pause it, just leaving the computer on, and then turn it back on and pick up where I left off? Or, just leave the whole thing on overnite on pause. I just figure that would give it a chance to cool down and not run needlessly since the steppers do stay pretty warm.

HJ
 
#2 ·
It probably depends on the controller you are using. If you can run from any point in your G-code I would say you should be able record the line you are on, shut down everything including the computer. When you return to the job you should be able to go to the line of G-code you recorded and start cutting.

Another though would be hit pause, record the line of code, hit stop then go to 0,0,0. When you come back to the job you load the G-code, go to a point before the recorded step and jog the the x,y,z for that step and start cutting.

Don't take my word for it but in my mind this would work.

Shark users would have to edit the G-code file to do something similar. When I get the time to play I might just see what it would take do this on the shark or if it is even possible. Thanks for the IDEA!
 
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#3 ·
Well,

I paused it and shut the controller down last night and left the computer on. Turned the controller on and hit pause this morning like I do when the controller and computer stay on and ........ nothing.

When I remember I write down the line number that I pause it at (in case of a power outage or snafu). So I left the spindle where it stopped at and restarted it from that line number. Linux lets you follow the line numbers as they cut.

I don't like leaving the controller on all night. I think the steppers and control box needs to cool down some. But I don't like staying up most of the night watching and waiting either. This 3D carving takes a lot of time so it sometimes is hard to time it just right without wasting a lot of time.

HJ
 
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#4 ·
I think this should work.

Record a line number lower than the one you are on(one already cut).
Jog to 0,0,0.
Shut down everything for the night.

The next day edit the first line of G-code that jogs the spindle from 0,0,0, to the coordinates on the line you recorded (x,y,z). Delete all the lines between the newly edited line and the line you are going to.
Run your new file and it should go from 0,0,0 to the line of code you point to, then continue line by line and finish cutting the file.

Not sure but I think this would work.

This will be what I try when testing for use with the CNC Shark system if I ever find the time to do the testing. I'm kind of buried right now. Need to finish up 4 jobs I cut today and cut 4 inlays tomorrow for the same customer. He should be picking them up Monday and from what he says he should be bringing at least 2 more inlay projects. Then I have 2 refinishing jobs I am working on between jobs that I really need to get finished. I have a set of aluminum hinges to cut and install on a dog gate I made. I also have 4 CNC design jobs I need to do for one customers and 1 design file for another customer for a quote for CNC work for a prototype that my lead to more CNC work down the road. Helps pay those bills that seem to just keep coming so I can't really complain.
 
#5 · (Edited)
What I have found is I can hit pause, turn the spindle off, write down the line number, leave the computer on, shut the controller off, and call it a night. Then I can turn the controller back on, start the spindle, and run from the line number I wrote down the night before.

I don't mind leaving the computer on all the time, but I like to let the controller and steppers cool down if there's going to be more than a few minutes in a pause.

I'm sure there's another way, but so far this has been working. Now cutting #9 of the order of 9. I think I'm going to be part Polish by the time I get these done. Now I got to figure out how to use a HVLP spray gun. Want to try that instead of brushing if possible.

HJ
 
#6 ·
Glad you figured it out so you can start up again from where you left off.

I know the CNC Shark controller won't let you start from the middle of a toolpath just from the beginning of the file so I'll have to edit the file to go to the new start point (where it left off or just before that point).

For anyone with a CNC Shark or Piranha that is interested I will post a PDF of how to start from some where other than the beginning of the .tap file. It might be awhile before I have time to test this out.
 
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