Experiencing Z plunging to 1” at the end of a rotary carve. System is Longmill MK2 48x30 with the Superlongboard, PwNCNC VFD, 2.2kw Spindle, Sienci’s Vortex Rotary with closed loop stepper upgrade, gControl with Windows 11 IoT Enterprise, gSender 1.5.7 (grblHAL).
Here is the last several lines of gCode from the test Vortex Rotary run using the Rotary Surfacing tool in gSender (1.5.7 grblHAL). Note the G20G0Z1.0 plunge at at the end
Check your cad settings. The machine is doing what its told. That’s what the g20g0z1.0 is doing.
You probably have your z zero at the center of your rotary (that’s how i have it too), but for some reason it’s returning to it… maybe safe z height?
Chris,
Thank you. I followed up with Kelly with some questions but appreciate if you have some further guidance.
I’m trying to hone in on the gSender 1.5.7 grblHAL defaults and if they differ between normal and rotary setups.
System is MK2 48x30 with Superlongboard, gControl, 2.2kw PWNCNC VFD, 2.2kw water-cooled gPenny spindle, Vortex rotary with closed loop stepper (toggle is on 4th axis - closed loop stepper).
Does Sienci have the default config settings for the MK2 in the format for 1.5.7 rather than in $numerical order? Default 4th axis settings in the 1.5.7 config format are somewhat vague.
Does 1.5.x / grblHAL rotary tools (rotary surfacing tool, y alignment) utilize the same A-axis driver as Vectric to generate g-code?
What default g-code/movement SHOULD I be seeing for Z at the end of a rotary carve? For example, what are (should be) the last four or so default movements in the rotary surfacing tool within gSender (e.g., raise to safe Z, g0 rapid to X 0, etc.)?
What safe Z settings SHOULD I be seeing in the Config for grblHAL? How does gSender/grblHAL identify safe Z if Z 0 is center of the rotation? IOW, is config setting for safe Z different or the same in both normal and rotary?
Could the Z plunge to 1” at the end of a rotary run be because of macros set up in gSender for normal mode movements? Trying to determine if/how macros affect rotary carves.
Are default $22 Homing Cycle settings the same for both normal and 4th axis (rotary) …I’m unclear on what should be enabled to retain hard and soft limits in both normal and rotary modes. What happens in rotary if
“Homing required after startup” is enabled? What axes are homed and to where will they home? Will a required homing in rotary setup bypass homing X and Y? Or will it default back to the normal mode and home X and Y to the machine’s home (corner)?
You have a lot of good questions, and i have fewer answers having not hooked up a rotary to grbl or used anything from scienci labs for more than a few minutes of exposure.
I don’t think there is such thing as a default, but im really betting its from your post processor from your cad. Personally, my post processor is far from standard as I’ve modified it to do what i want (made it run good for a dummy). Maybe a g90 z0 or something like that. That’s full retract of your z axis. Mine for example changes to g55 offset, then goes to xy0 with z zero at the center of the rotary, does the carve, then retracts and backs up about 18" changing back to g54
The fact that its in your gcode says its in your post processor. %100. The vfd/spindle, controller, rotary, macros (preprogrammed code segments available at the touch of a button) are irrelevant for finding the problem for the reason above.
You mentioned using vetric. Vectric isn’t capable of 4+ axis simulatiously or cutting below the mid point and converts either x or y to a. Are you using an actual rotary post processor, or just unplugging an axis and plugging in the rotary. If you are I’m willing to bet it doesn’t plunge into a flat piece at the end of the file, and hovers 1" above the surface. You can create a template in vectric. I have one for rotary, i would suggest playing with file output, and mirror those settings in the rotary template. You wont have to run it, just look at the last half dozen lines