[erniehatt]

Hi All,
I am new here, my name is Ernie.
I recently purchased an CNCEST usb 6040 machine, which I have running.
I have search high and low on how to connect a Z probe, no luck at all.
I am hoping that someone cleverer than me has managed to work it out, help would be much appreciated. Thanks Ernie

 

[Stick486]

Hello and welcome to the forums...
We're happy you found us...

 

[erniehatt]

Thanks Mate.
Ernie

 

[old55]

Welcome to the forum Ernie.

 

[jw2170]

G'day Ernie, welcome to the forum.

We have a specialist CNC section of the forum.

You might like to post your question there, as not all members go through all the posts..

 

[marecat3]

welcome to the forum

 

[sreilly]

Welcome to the forum Ernie. Hopefully you'll have an answer shortly as we do have some very experienced CNCers onboard.

 

[MEBCWD]

Welcome to the Router Forums Ernie.

Your CNC is probably running Mach3, most if not all of the CNCEST 6040 machines do.

Here is a link to CNCnutz web site page with a video where he explains how to hook the touch plate up, configure it in Mach3, program the button, and how to operate it. The page includes a link to download the script for the button.

https://www.cncnutz.com/2018/02/installing-touch-off-plate-in-mach3.html

 

[erniehatt]

Welcome to the Router Forums Ernie.

Your CNC is probably running Mach3, most if not all of the CNCEST 6040 machines do.

Here is a link to CNCnutz web site page with a video where he explains how to hook the touch plate up, configure it in Mach3, program the button, and how to operate it. The page includes a link to download the script for the button.

Thanks for the reply, yes I do have that video, but it does not explain what I am after, just where I connect the cables, that is what I can't work out.

 

[MEBCWD]

Okay.

On the Chinese machines that I have worked on, there is a GX16 two-pin jack on the control box that is labeled "Knife". That is where the touch plate wires go. I'm not sure why the label it "Knife" instead of "Probe" but it might be labeled something else on your machine. On your machine it might be a different type of jack, the ones I have seen are the GX16 two-pin jack. Hopefully, you will have a jack to use.

If you do have a GX16 two-pin jack you have 3 options:

1. Purchase a GX16 two-pin plug to use on the touch plate. You will have to solder the connector. This is what I recommend. I might have one in inventory I'd have to check but they can be found on Amazon.

2. Replace that jack with a different jack like a phono jack and use a phono plug for the probe wires. You will need to be able to solder the wires to do it right, don't short cut, do it right.

3. I really don't recommend this one but it can be done, and I have seen it done before. Pull the jack out and solder the wires from the jack to the wires from the probe. If you go this route use shrink tubing to insulate the solder joints. Remember, I really don't recommend this, there is a possibility of pulling a wire loose inside the control box and burning out the motion control board and your computer if it is connected at that time.

If there is not a jack for the touch plate on the box then the only option would be to open the control box and see what motion controller they used on that unit, they used a couple of different ones depending which one was cheapest when they built the unit. Of course, they may have used a different board in it than I familiar with. If you have to go this route, it will probably void any warranty you have on the unit. If this is the situation and there is an open input on the board it can be done. In this case, I recommend using a jack and plug for the probe. It needs to be a two-pin jack and plug pair. Solder the wires to the jack and plug, the connections to the control card are screw terminals.

Let me know what you have

 

[erniehatt]

Thanks once again, could not find the plug you where speaking of. Have attached images of the plugs available.
The first three on the green one are connected, as are all pins available on the black one, for some unknown reason the other two have been removed. the two white ones are also connected.
I am assuming that the green socket is the equivalent of the Parallel port.
This board did not work and was replaced.

 

[MEBCWD]

I'm not familiar with that board. Does it have any markings for the manufacturer or maybe a part number? Check the backside too.

A picture of the whole board might help.

 

[erniehatt]

There are no markings on the front of the board, and looking at the back is vitualy impossible it is stuck to a very thick aluminum plate, I tried removing it, but not possible without wrecking it.
Looks as though I will have to go with a manual one.
Thanks for taking the time. Ernie

 

[MEBCWD]

Can you post pictures of the front and back of the control box so I can see the ports you have, and pictures of the entire control board? You might have a combination jack for several different items.

 

[erniehatt]

Thanks Mike, can't show the back, but it has XYZ axis and a 4th axis and the spindle, plus the USB port that is it.

 

[MEBCWD]

I don't think this is the motion controller. You said your unit is a USB unit, is that correct? Where is the USB jack? This might be a spindle control board.

You should have a card mounted just inside the box that contains the USB jack. That is the board that contains the input and ground connectors the probe needs to be connected to.

Make sure you have the power disconnected from the control box. Turn the box upside down. Open the bottom of the control box. Look and see if this is the card you have. If it is, the 2 wires connect to the terminals shown by the red arrows,DCM and IN4. It does not make a difference which terminals they go to as long as they are connected to those 2 terminals.

I still recommend installing a jack in the box, that is up to you. The connectors may be the smaller GX12 connector instead of the GX16 connectors I called for, of course, you can use a different type if you want to, it's your choice. Remember installing a jack keeps you from pulling a wire loose inside the box and frying board and computer.


This picture is of the most common motion controller I have found in these CNCEST machines. This is where I connect them for customers with this card. If it is different take a picture. That is if you want to go that far.

 

[erniehatt]

Thanks Mike,
My Blue, shows how much I know.
There is a separate board in there.
I have just had a operation to remove the Bladder, so I can't do much for a few weeks, until I see the surgeon.
I will take a look then and do any fixups necessary. Thanks again Ernie

 

[rwetzler]

I don't think this is the motion controller. You said your unit is a USB unit, is that correct? Where is the USB jack? This might be a spindle control board.

You should have a card mounted just inside the box that contains the USB jack. That is the board that contains the input and ground connectors the probe needs to be connected to.

Make sure you have the power disconnected from the control box. Turn the box upside down. Open the bottom of the control box. Look and see if this is the card you have. If it is, the 2 wires connect to the terminals shown by the red arrows,DCM and IN4. It does not make a difference which terminals they go to as long as they are connected to those 2 terminals.

I still recommend installing a jack in the box, that is up to you. The connectors may be the smaller GX12 connector instead of the GX16 connectors I called for, of course, you can use a different type if you want to, it's your choice. Remember installing a jack keeps you from pulling a wire loose inside the box and frying board and computer.


This picture is of the most common motion controller I have found in these CNCEST machines. This is where I connect them for customers with this card. If it is different take a picture. That is if you want to go that far.

Thanks for sharing! Spent a good part of today digging through the internet trying to figure out to get a touch plate hooked to my new CNCEST 6040 unit. My USB board is the same exact one. You got me up and going, thanks again.

 

[old55]

Welcome to the forum @rwetzler

 

[MEBCWD]

Thanks for sharing! Spent a good part of today digging through the internet trying to figure out to get a touch plate hooked to my new CNCEST 6040 unit. My USB board is the same exact one. You got me up and going, thanks again.

Welcome to the Router Forums. I'm glad that helped you get up and running. Show us a few projects when you get them finished.