switching x & y axes on shopbot buddy® · pdf fileswitching x & y axes on shopbot...

SBG00215 Switching X And Y Axes On Buddy 2016 02 1102 11 Copyright 2016 ShopBot Tools, Inc.

Switching X & Y Axes on ShopBot Buddy®

ShopBot Tools, Inc. 3333-B Industrial Drive, Durham NC 27704 ShopBotTools.com

Technical Support [email protected] 1-888-680-4466

mailto:[email protected]


Table of Contents ShopBot factory orientation: Standard X and Y axes ........................................... 3

Alternate orientation: Switched X and Y axes .................................................... 3

Step 1: Load the correct settings for the ShopBot Buddy® into the control software ........................................................................................................... 4

Becoming familiar with the way the ShopBot Buddy® moves: Factory orientation .................................................................................................................................... 4

Step 2: Redefine the X and Y axes in the ShopBot control software .................. 5 Step 3: Test that the “new” X and Y axes are moving in the correct direction ......................................................................................................................... 5 Step 3: Test that the “new” X and Y axes are moving in the correct direction ......................................................................................................................... 6

Changing the axis travel direction with a simple change in the Control Software .......... 7 Step 4: Set table base coordinates for the new orientation ............................. 7 Step 5: Save custom settings file ...................................................................... 8 Step 6: Rewire the proximity (limit) switches in the control box ...................... 8

Inside Control Box ..................................................................................................... 10 Step 7: Set up new values for X,Y zeroing routine ........................................... 11

Using Tool Setup function to set up C3 or Automatic XY zeroing routine .................... 11 Use Tool Setup for XY zeroing routine (Prox Switches)................................................ 12


ShopBot factory orientation: Standard X and Y axes

Alternate orientation: Switched X and Y axes

The spoil board installed on the Buddy® indicates the X and Y axes. Table direction is the X axis (along the rails). Spindle direction is the Y axis (along the gantry). In this orientation, more travel is possible along the X axis when moving table is replaced with a longer “power stick.”

0,0 is here

Y axis

To redefine the X and Y axes so the X axis runs across the gantry and the table moves in the Y axis, several changes in the settings of the ShopBot control software are required. These settings can then be saved to be reloaded later. To use the proximity (limit) switches to run the XY homing routine (C3), it will be necessary to change the wiring in the control box.

X axis

0,0 is here


Step 1: Load the correct settings for the ShopBot Buddy® into the control software

Becoming familiar with the way the ShopBot Buddy® moves: Factory orientation

When starting the ShopBot control software for the first time, load the correct settings file for the ShopBot Buddy® by following the screen prompts.

A. Choose PRS ShopBots.

B. Open the folder that contains the machine model settings: a. PRS alpha tools (control box is more square) b. PRS standard tools (control box is more rectangular, as pictured on the title page)

C. Select the Buddy® size (BT32” or BT48” wide).

D. Click OK.

E. To reload the settings file at any time, use the UR (Utilities Reset) command.

F. Close the ShopBot software. The current settings are saved for the next time. If

something traumatic happens and the software does not close normally, the settings may have to be reloaded.

Open the KeyPad control (K) to observe how the Buddy® moves with its standard settings. The left arrow key moves the table to the right, which moves the work piece under the router/spindle head.

0,0

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Step 2: Redefine the X and Y axes in the ShopBot control software

NOTE: After changing the X and Y axes, the carving in the spoil board indicating the X and Y axes will no longer be correct. IMPORTANT: the logon for the computer controlling the ShopBot must have administrative rights in order for the following changes to take effect.

Open the Value Inputs/Driver definitions screen using the VI command. Notice that:

• Driver channel 1 is defined as X • Driver channel 2 is defined as Y

(Note: The “Comm Port Number” will be specific to the computer, so disregard the value on the screen at this time.)

X axis

Front of Buddy


Step 3: Test that the “new” X and Y axes are moving in the correct direction

A. Change Driver Channel 1 to Y B. Change Driver Channel 2 to X Click OK to save the change to the software.

The X axis now moves along the gantry, and the Y (table) axis now moves along the rails. The new home position will be in the lower left corner as shown. Open Keypad control to test the movement of the machine after the axes have been re-defined. If the X (gantry) moves to the right when the left arrow key is pressed, this is NOT correct. The Up arrow should move the table towards the user, and the Down arrow should move it away.

0,0 is now here


Step 4: Set table base coordinates for the new orientation

Changing the axis travel direction with a simple change in the Control Software

Open the unit values screen using the VU command. Find the unit value for any axis moving in the wrong direction, and add a negative sign (-) to the front of it. Example: If the X is moving the wrong way, adding a negative sign to the X unit value will fix the issue. (Note: the unit values shown may not match the unit values of the Buddy® model available (Standard vs. Alpha.)) Click OK to save change. Verify the axes are now moving in the desired direction.

Reset the limit values for the table in the new orientation using the VL command. In the original orientation settings, the high value for the X axis is 24.5”, and the high value of the Y reflects the width of the ShopBot Buddy® (32.5” or 48.5”). The screenshot at left is for a 48” wide ShopBot Buddy®.


Step 5: Save custom settings file Clo

Step 6: Rewire the proximity (limit) switches in the control box

If satisfied that the axes have been properly switched and are moving the correct direction, and that the table base limits are correct, save the settings file using the US (utilities save) command. Close ShopBot control software and re-open file to ensure it was properly saved. Use this custom settings file whenever reloading settings files. To load these settings on another computer, simply transfer the custom settings file. If it is necessary to call ShopBot tech support, don’t forget to mention that the X and Y axes have been switched.

To zero the X and Y axes with the proximity switches using the C3 command or the icon on the red position screen, it is necessary to make a wiring change in the ShopBot control box. First, ensure limit switches are turned on and functioning.

Switch the X and Y axes values to reflect the new orientation. In this screen shot (shown for a 48” wide machine), the new high value for the X is the width of the machine (plus 0.5”) and the new high value for the Y is 24.5”. In this case, the file limit checking is off, and the number of axes to check is set to the three active axes (X, Y and Z). Click OK to save setting.


Determine whether the limit or proximity switches are turned on by using the VN command to open the value input screen. Click OK if a change has been made.

Find proximity or limit switch on gantry. Use Keypad command to move X axis to the far left until motion is stopped by the proximity switch. The #2 or #3 input light on the Red Position screen should come on when the limit switch hits the target bolt. If the X axis hits the mechanical stop before the limit switch is triggered by the target bolt (it will be obvious by the noise it makes) it may be necessary to adjust the location of the mechanical stop and/or the target bolt. Use right arrow key to move off target bolt. (If table continues past the target to the left, the switch will be triggered again coming back.) The mechanical stop can be moved to the left up to the point that it stops the gantry before it hits the side rail. Loosen the target bolt and slide it to the right so that it stops the gantry before the mechanical stop. Tighten bolt. Note: It may be necessary to adjust the target/mechanical stop on the right side to get the full travel of the new X axis.

Mechanical Stop

Target Bolt


Inside Control Box

Find the section of the control board that is labeled input and output. There should be • two brown wires wired into +24 • two blue wires wired into GRD (ground) • a black wire wired into input #2 (X prox

switch) • a black wire wired into input #3 (Y prox

switch)

Loosen the screws on the top of the connector above the #2 and #3 inputs.

Turn off control box and count to 10 to allow charge to dissipate. Open door and examine location of wires coming into control box.

Reverse the black wires and retighten screws. Ensure wire going into the #1 input (the Z-zero plate) has not been loosened. Close control box and turn it on. Check that proximity switches are lit up and functioning. Use Keypad control to bump into both limit switches on the X and Y axes. Check Z-zero plate connection by attaching alligator clip to the bit and touching the plate to the bit. The #1 input light should show green on the screen.


Step 7: Set up new values for X,Y zeroing routine

Using Tool Setup function to set up C3 or Automatic XY zeroing routine

Enter TS from the menu to open ShopBot tool setup screen. Page through the screens by clicking “Next”. Note that the screen to the left shows the new configuration has been recorded by the control software. One screen will allow the change of thickness for the Z Zero plate when running the Z Zero routine. Continue to the screen that allows set up of XY Zero routine (see below.)

The values for the routine must be set in order to use the X,Y zeroing routine (C3 or icon). Set the desired 0,0 location. Insert V bit into collet to easily visualize X, Y location. Use Keypad control (K) to move bit tip to desired 0,0 location. Move Z close enough to spoil board surface to accurately see location on spoil board, but do not drag the bit across the top of the material. To make small adjustments, click fixed key and edit the increments so that each bump of an arrow will move the axis the defined distance. The increments are adjusted by changing the value in the box when clicking on fixed key. Click fixed key again or use Esc to close the fixed distance option. When bit tip is at desired location, zero the X and Y axis using the blue ZERO button on the Keypad screen, or escaping from Keypad Control and using Z2. Note that Red Position Screen indicates 0,0 in both X and Y.


Use Tool Setup for XY zeroing routine (Prox Switches)

Click the “Make it easy on me…” button. Put the bit tip in the desired X and Y location. Continue answering the setup questions until the routine runs and indicates that the XY zeroing routine is complete. Click Next. After the “I’m Done” button appears, enter C3 or use the icon on the Position screen.

switching x & y axes on shopbot buddy® · pdf fileswitching x & y axes on shopbot...

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