iHayri1 Hi, I'm glad to hear that it works now, have fun using it and don't hesitate to contact me or open an Issue on GitHub if you run into problems or have any suggestions!
i thought this kind of tool was only abailable for mach3 based cnc machines, so i was strugling with my uneven pcb's!!! I'm so glad i just got to find this app, i'll test it as soon as i get home. Thank you for sharing!!!
+Elias Gonzalez Yeah, I was pretty disappointed when I found out that all available software only works on mach3/EMC2, so I made my own :) please do give it a try, I'd love to see some before/after pics
+martin2250 I'm probing the pcb right now! The program is very clear to work with. Where can i send you the pics from the before/after results?? Thanks!
+Elias Gonzalez If you don't mind a bit extra effort, you could upload a quick video on youtube :) or just upload them to imgur. If you agree, I'll use you pictures on the website/GitHub Readme (with credits of course). I don't have any good 'before' pics because I never attempted big PCBs before I wrote the software.
Hi thanks for your early reply. yes I had a question about the alligators where to connect them, and after study other comments I could get my answer. and also I have problem for GRBL and it is the searching board by itself point to point with color squares as your video show's and after a while I get red alarm sign and machine stop processing. so need your help to solve my problem. thanks again and good luck
Hi! Why do I always get the error "Invalid gcode ID:36"? It seems that it depends on the size of the board since the bigger the board the more often I get this error..
Hi, I´ve been using your program and I´ve been having some problems with the milling of the PCB, what grid recommend me?. The problem that I have at the moment to make the milling is that some lines are not fine. what deep do I have to use? Could you help me please? I think is an excellent program but I´m not using it very well.
Emms I ususally use a grid size of 5mm and a milling depth of 0.13mm, though this varies with many factors including the type/quality/wear of your bit. Which machine and tools do you use?
When I try to apply the generated height map to a file, I go to GCODE and as per your comment, I should do "Apply to file"; however the only option under GCODE is 'OPEN'. I do not see any "APPLY TO FILE" option. What am I missing?
+Rolando Martin I made some changes to the program, just open the gcode file and you should see what to do. By the way, a single comment would have been enough, no need to send me three seperate messages with copy-pasted content
Thanks for a fantastic job. Once I finish creating the height map, I apply it to the GCODE file, and generate the **probed** file. Then I leave your program and start the GCODE sender as per your instructions. However, when I open the GCODE sender it has lost the XYZ position. Question, to what initial coordinates should I set my machine before sending the probed gcode? Another question.... what is the thinnest track that you were able to carve with a 30 deg 0.1 V shaped drill bit? I am trying to carve 10 mil traces but I am failing.
+Rolando Martin Hi Rolando, before you close HeightProbe you need to move your tool to a known position (for me usually X0Y0Z1). After switching to UGS just re-enter those coordinates with G92 and your're good to go. The smallest traces I have successfully tried to make were .4 mm (16 mil). You need to experiment with different depths (use the smallest depth possible, you can also start out with a depth that's too shallow, cancel the job, move your coordinate system down by 0.1mm and just run the job again. repeat until deep enough). Also in pcb-gcode you need to increase the minimum distance to the highest value possible, I usually increase it until the cuts around two SO8 pads just overlap)
Hello Martin, I would like to deploy your program in our PCB carving process. What I could not figure out in any of the auto-leveling processes is where do they connect the wires...The program needs to check continuity continuously as the probe is lowered...Please help me to understand. Thanks.
Hello Martin, first thank you for the great program, but I just can't find the exe file to run it. Could you give me a hint? Thanks. I would love to be able to use your program on my vertical mill that I am building right now. Thanks again.
iHayri1 Hi again, I did eventually find the exe file after clicking on the releases tab. I must say this is a very useful app you wrote and thank you many times for sharing it. I did also try your first version but it stopped after the first probe, but this one is much nicer and works tadellos (without any problems). Take care
Thanks for the quick reply. I assume then that A5 is an IO port on the motion control card, right? Can your program be cards adopted to different cards? I am using TinyG. Thanks again.
+Tamas Kosa Your're welcome, but I'm afraid you're out of luck. My program only works with grbl firmware which runs exclusively on Arduino borads. It is possible to adapt it to TinyG, the source code is available after all. If you just want to get results, I can recommend chilipeppr by John Lauer. It was made specifically for TinyG and also includes an autoleveller (doesn't split up longer movements though).
Good evening. I am Brazilian, and I tried to do both procedures you teach. , the first method the fresas touches the plate and and talks that ended and the other method same thing happens. I use grbl vesão 9j and use univelsal g code. will you have with you help me ??
I am now searching for about a year to get an auto leveler working. In your video I am stuck from Github you jump to Microsoft Visual Studio with already open windows with GRBL hight probe. How do I open them??? HILFE gesucht.
Hi, That is a great program, I need to ask you why I'm getting an error when I execute it. It just say that windows found an error, maybe I need to install some drivers? or it's because my windows is 7 and 64bits? Also I can execute the v1 version, but when the probe touch the surface the message "complete" pops up, just in the first attempt. Thanks.
Cristhian Carrascal Hi, yeah, v1 doesn't work with new versions of GRBL. I can't really imagine why Windows won't let the program execute, I have exactly the same setup (7/x64). Do you have .NET Framework 4.5 installed? Though it should show a message if that was the problem. If you have the time, you can install MS Visual Studio 2013 Community Edition, it's a free IDE and it will show you better error descriptions. Or try execute the program from command-line, maybe you'll see something there. Hope you work it out!
+Bent Andersen No, that's not possible. Neither Mach3 nor EMC2 support GCode streaming. You can, however use software like this: www.autoleveller.co.uk/
I have GRBL 1.1 E installed on arduino nano: it is working. When I do open the connection tab I just have OPEN and CLOSE selections. The video shows MANUAL CONSOLE that I can not see ! Any help please ? Thanks Ambro
Hi, Two questions. Is this code for windows, or how to install it? Where is the Arduino code? You mentioned in Video 1 probes attached to the arduino pin 4 and 5. Thanks
the arduino must be programmed with GRBL, you can find it on their github. My Program is also available on my github page, it's portable so you just have to unzip it
Hi. You have done a great job, Would you mind tell us where to get all the bits you have been using on this project. Please Could you place the links. Thanks. Best Regards.
+Iván Aldás Hi, I used cheap Titanium Nitride coated 30° V-bits with a tip diameter of 0.1mm, I won't promote any seller over another, I don't think that you'll find any differences in quality in this price range (5pcs 11€).
+Cyrus I guess it would be possible, but it would require some very good understanding of the linuxcnc source code. If there was some way to interface linuxcnc via serial then it shouldn't be too difficult to adapt my program.
Has anyone had problems connecting with their machine? I can communicate to grbl with bcnc and the arduino serial monitor, but there is no response when using this application :(
+martin2250 0.9g, i'm not sure if the g is a subversion, but that's what it sends on start up. Yes I checked the port and baud more times than a sane man would. Is the windows ding sound supposed to play when commands are sent? That happens every attempt for me.
No, I didn't implement any sounds. Sounds like there is some error while sending commands which is going to be hard to debug remotely. Can you think of any other obvious causes? (serial port being used elsewhere, driver issues ...)
I built and ran it from the source. I just noticed one little bad behavior bug, an unhanded null reference exception, I used enter to send a command before the serial port was connected. Also the noise is only produced when I use the enter key, but there is still no response from grbl pressing the send button instead. Replies from the micro are displayed in the textbox i'm assuming? Nothing is sent to the debug log when I attempt to send a command.
yeah, any response from grbl should be displayed in the (textbox) console. can you try pressing the reset button on your arduino, it should send "grbl 0.9g ... " to the console. If that doesn't help, your best bet would be to get rid of all the unhandled try/catch blocks
That's really great. I have never milled a pcb but im curious if it could be useful for a new cnc plasma cutter im designing. Im thinking using a micro switch for the electrical contact. I think it could be used as a crude torch height control. Are the probe points adjustable like can they be spread apart more? To make probing large arias faster? Its really awesome im excited to explore this. you can see my old 3d printed cnc plasma cutter here if your interested th-cam.com/video/ZriSs5EG28c/w-d-xo.html
Hi builtrodewreckedit, I definitely think this would be a great task for my program, I never even thought of that! The spacing of the probe points can be adjusted arbitrarily (see "Grid Size" at 0:42). The only constraint is that the points have to be in a rectangular area, though you could modify a .hmap file to skip points where you don't need them (I might add this functionality) Did you already do some experiments or is it only an idea for now? I'd love to see some results! I just realized that the video is already two years old. Did it fail because of stock inconsistencies or did you just not post further videos? I'm really excited to see this, let me know how well it works and feel free to leave bug reports or feature requests on GitHub!
martin2250 I built the plasma cutter basically off a dare when people told me it couldn't be 3d printed or use nima17 size motors... I really never needed the machine for anything i was making. The first design works great as it is and to this day is most likely the only 3d printed plasma cutter in the world. My latest version will have a water table and some automated z height control hopefully with your probing tool, slightly larger smooth rods. Its looking like i can design it a few inches wider and ill probably make it much longer too. I still don't need it but its fun to tinker and improve the design. I think your probing tool is really nice and probably the next best thing short of a true automated torch height control. When i finish building i will post video's of it working for sure.
iHayri1 Hi, I'm glad to hear that it works now, have fun using it and don't hesitate to contact me or open an Issue on GitHub if you run into problems or have any suggestions!
martin2250 Thank you again.
I'm prepping to build my own PCB CNC so can't test it now, but this is really awesome! Definitely gonna try this!
fazzah777 Thanks! What kind of machine do you have in mind? Let us know how it worked out!
i thought this kind of tool was only abailable for mach3 based cnc machines, so i was strugling with my uneven pcb's!!! I'm so glad i just got to find this app, i'll test it as soon as i get home. Thank you for sharing!!!
+Elias Gonzalez
Yeah, I was pretty disappointed when I found out that all available software only works on mach3/EMC2, so I made my own :) please do give it a try, I'd love to see some before/after pics
+martin2250 I'm probing the pcb right now! The program is very clear to work with. Where can i send you the pics from the before/after results?? Thanks!
+Elias Gonzalez
If you don't mind a bit extra effort, you could upload a quick video on youtube :) or just upload them to imgur.
If you agree, I'll use you pictures on the website/GitHub Readme (with credits of course). I don't have any good 'before' pics because I never attempted big PCBs before I wrote the software.
Hi Martin ... on 0:41 you talk about dimensions ... but dimentions from what ?
iHayri1 The downloads are under "Releases" on GitHub
Thanks Martin! Your work is really a great one!! Helped me a lot!!!
This is seriously good stuff, exactly what I was searching for, thanks!
Great, thanks!
If you want to use it yourself, you should try out the new version, OpenCNCPilot. the video is on my channel.
martin2250 Awesome, I'll give it a look!
Hi thanks for your early reply. yes I had a question about the alligators where to connect them, and after study other comments I could get my answer. and also I have problem for GRBL and it is the searching board by itself point to point with color squares as your video show's and after a while I get red alarm sign and machine stop processing. so need your help to solve my problem. thanks again and good luck
Tnx fer fast reply....I will tryout the Autoleveller from UK ...
Hi! Why do I always get the error "Invalid gcode ID:36"? It seems that it depends on the size of the board since the bigger the board the more often I get this error..
Hi, I´ve been using your program and I´ve been having some problems with the milling of the PCB, what grid recommend me?. The problem that I have at the moment to make the milling is that some lines are not fine. what deep do I have to use? Could you help me please? I think is an excellent program but I´m not using it very well.
Emms
I ususally use a grid size of 5mm and a milling depth of 0.13mm, though this varies with many factors including the type/quality/wear of your bit.
Which machine and tools do you use?
Great project ..... Thanks I'll try
When I try to apply the generated height map to a file, I go to GCODE and as per your comment, I should do "Apply to file"; however the only option under GCODE is 'OPEN'. I do not see any "APPLY TO FILE" option. What am I missing?
+Rolando Martin
I made some changes to the program, just open the gcode file and you should see what to do.
By the way, a single comment would have been enough, no need to send me three seperate messages with copy-pasted content
Thanks for a fantastic job. Once I finish creating the height map, I apply it to the GCODE file, and generate the **probed** file. Then I leave your program and start the GCODE sender as per your instructions. However, when I open the GCODE sender it has lost the XYZ position. Question, to what initial coordinates should I set my machine before sending the probed gcode? Another question.... what is the thinnest track that you were able to carve with a 30 deg 0.1 V shaped drill bit? I am trying to carve 10 mil traces but I am failing.
+Rolando Martin
Hi Rolando,
before you close HeightProbe you need to move your tool to a known position (for me usually X0Y0Z1). After switching to UGS just re-enter those coordinates with G92 and your're good to go.
The smallest traces I have successfully tried to make were .4 mm (16 mil). You need to experiment with different depths (use the smallest depth possible, you can also start out with a depth that's too shallow, cancel the job, move your coordinate system down by 0.1mm and just run the job again. repeat until deep enough). Also in pcb-gcode you need to increase the minimum distance to the highest value possible, I usually increase it until the cuts around two SO8 pads just overlap)
Hello Martin, I would like to deploy your program in our PCB carving process. What I could not figure out in any of the auto-leveling processes is where do they connect the wires...The program needs to check continuity continuously as the probe is lowered...Please help me to understand. Thanks.
+Tamas Kosa
Hi Tamas,
the wires go to A5 and GND
Hello Martin, first thank you for the great program, but I just can't find the exe file to run it. Could you give me a hint? Thanks. I would love to be able to use your program on my vertical mill that I am building right now.
Thanks again.
iHayri1 Hi again,
I did eventually find the exe file after clicking on the releases tab. I must say this is a very useful app you wrote and thank you many times for sharing it. I did also try your first version but it stopped after the first probe, but this one is much nicer and works tadellos (without any problems). Take care
Thanks for the quick reply. I assume then that A5 is an IO port on the motion control card, right? Can your program be cards adopted to different cards? I am using TinyG. Thanks again.
+Tamas Kosa
Your're welcome, but I'm afraid you're out of luck. My program only works with grbl firmware which runs exclusively on Arduino borads. It is possible to adapt it to TinyG, the source code is available after all.
If you just want to get results, I can recommend chilipeppr by John Lauer. It was made specifically for TinyG and also includes an autoleveller (doesn't split up longer movements though).
Good evening.
I am Brazilian, and I tried to do both procedures you teach.
, the first method the fresas touches the plate and and talks that ended and the other method same thing happens.
I use grbl vesão 9j and use univelsal g code.
will you have with you help me ??
+Eletrônica 100%
Hi, I'm glad to help, but you'll have to describe your problem better.
I am now searching for about a year to get an auto leveler working. In your video I am stuck from Github you jump to Microsoft Visual Studio with already open windows with GRBL hight probe. How do I open them??? HILFE gesucht.
Just download the binary from the Releases section on github, you don't need visual studio.
Hi, That is a great program, I need to ask you why I'm getting an error when I execute it. It just say that windows found an error, maybe I need to install some drivers? or it's because my windows is 7 and 64bits?
Also I can execute the v1 version, but when the probe touch the surface the message "complete" pops up, just in the first attempt. Thanks.
Cristhian Carrascal
Hi,
yeah, v1 doesn't work with new versions of GRBL. I can't really imagine why Windows won't let the program execute, I have exactly the same setup (7/x64).
Do you have .NET Framework 4.5 installed? Though it should show a message if that was the problem.
If you have the time, you can install MS Visual Studio 2013 Community Edition, it's a free IDE and it will show you better error descriptions.
Or try execute the program from command-line, maybe you'll see something there.
Hope you work it out!
sorry again in the software and in your connection menu you have 3 sections but mine have only 2 sections open and close and have no consul on it why?
+Mehdi Emm
I removed the "manual console" window, now it is integrated in the lower half of the main window
HI Martin
is ther any chance that you will make this software for controller that use LPT port's ????
+Bent Andersen
No, that's not possible. Neither Mach3 nor EMC2 support GCode streaming.
You can, however use software like this: www.autoleveller.co.uk/
I have GRBL 1.1 E installed on arduino nano: it is working.
When I do open the connection tab I just have OPEN and CLOSE selections.
The video shows MANUAL CONSOLE that I can not see !
Any help please ?
Thanks
Ambro
Please ask your question on github, and attach a screenshot so I can help you better
Hi,
Two questions. Is this code for windows, or how to install it? Where is the Arduino code? You mentioned in Video 1 probes attached to the arduino pin 4 and 5. Thanks
the arduino must be programmed with GRBL, you can find it on their github. My Program is also available on my github page, it's portable so you just have to unzip it
Hi, I downloaded it from github but cannot find an executable file. How can I start the user interface?
Hi. You have done a great job, Would you mind tell us where to get all the bits you have been using on this project. Please Could you place the links. Thanks.
Best Regards.
+Iván Aldás
Hi,
I used cheap Titanium Nitride coated 30° V-bits with a tip diameter of 0.1mm, I won't promote any seller over another, I don't think that you'll find any differences in quality in this price range (5pcs 11€).
I got mine form amazon. Just do a search, I think it was around $10 for 5 or 6 bits
does the code have to be in mm or can it be in inches?
the code can be in inches, but it will get converted to mm
+martin2250 does it accept pocketing codes?
+martin2250 can you PM me I have some questions that might be best thru email.
No, only basic G0-3 are supported. PM is on its way!
OK, I got it. thanks again.
Can this be compiled to run under linux?
Try "mono GrblHeightProbe2.exe"
Can this be integrated into linuxcnc.
+Cyrus
I guess it would be possible, but it would require some very good understanding of the linuxcnc source code. If there was some way to interface linuxcnc via serial then it shouldn't be too difficult to adapt my program.
Thank you.
Has anyone had problems connecting with their machine? I can communicate to grbl with bcnc and the arduino serial monitor, but there is no response when using this application :(
+jfghvljgvktgvlkhvgyv
What version of grbl are you using? I only tested it with the latest 0.9 release.
I assume you used the right port and baudrate.
+martin2250
0.9g, i'm not sure if the g is a subversion, but that's what it sends on start up. Yes I checked the port and baud more times than a sane man would.
Is the windows ding sound supposed to play when commands are sent? That happens every attempt for me.
No, I didn't implement any sounds. Sounds like there is some error while sending commands which is going to be hard to debug remotely. Can you think of any other obvious causes? (serial port being used elsewhere, driver issues ...)
I built and ran it from the source. I just noticed one little bad behavior bug, an unhanded null reference exception, I used enter to send a command before the serial port was connected. Also the noise is only produced when I use the enter key, but there is still no response from grbl pressing the send button instead.
Replies from the micro are displayed in the textbox i'm assuming?
Nothing is sent to the debug log when I attempt to send a command.
yeah, any response from grbl should be displayed in the (textbox) console. can you try pressing the reset button on your arduino, it should send "grbl 0.9g ... " to the console.
If that doesn't help, your best bet would be to get rid of all the unhandled try/catch blocks
thank for your source
I TRIED AND TRIED BUT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL
How about explaining your problem in the GitHub issue section instead of yelling around?
That's really great. I have never milled a pcb but im curious if it could be useful for a new cnc plasma cutter im designing. Im thinking using a micro switch for the electrical contact. I think it could be used as a crude torch height control. Are the probe points adjustable like can they be spread apart more? To make probing large arias faster?
Its really awesome im excited to explore this.
you can see my old 3d printed cnc plasma cutter here if your interested th-cam.com/video/ZriSs5EG28c/w-d-xo.html
Hi builtrodewreckedit,
I definitely think this would be a great task for my program, I never even thought of that!
The spacing of the probe points can be adjusted arbitrarily (see "Grid Size" at 0:42). The only constraint is that the points have to be in a rectangular area, though you could modify a .hmap file to skip points where you don't need them (I might add this functionality)
Did you already do some experiments or is it only an idea for now? I'd love to see some results!
I just realized that the video is already two years old. Did it fail because of stock inconsistencies or did you just not post further videos?
I'm really excited to see this, let me know how well it works and feel free to leave bug reports or feature requests on GitHub!
martin2250 I built the plasma cutter basically off a dare when people told me it couldn't be 3d printed or use nima17 size motors... I really never needed the machine for anything i was making. The first design works great as it is and to this day is most likely the only 3d printed plasma cutter in the world.
My latest version will have a water table and some automated z height control hopefully with your probing tool, slightly larger smooth rods. Its looking like i can design it a few inches wider and ill probably make it much longer too.
I still don't need it but its fun to tinker and improve the design. I think your probing tool is really nice and probably the next best thing short of a true automated torch height control. When i finish building i will post video's of it working for sure.