RDC 6445S ignores limit switch

[John Howe]

When I power up the controller (RDC6445S RDC-V26.01.16) the head goes left (on the x axis) and stops when it triggers the limit switch and says “resetting xy”. After a pause (10-15 seconds), the servo tries to go further left, grinding against the belt. My build is left, rear 0,0.
Note for this test, I’ve disabled the y and z axes.
I’d like the head to find home (0,0) and stop.
Looking for ideas…

[Pete Cyr]

Why have you disabled the y axis.
The controller wants to find the x and y limit stops to initialize its position. It must learn each time it is powered on where the laser head is in relation to the rails to move properly. If you disabled me the ya axis is the system can't complete the program.

[John Howe]

Thanks for the reply. I disabled the y axis to reduce the number of things to work on. The head was moving too fast on both axes so that was my first issue to fix. I wasn’t aware of the start sequence needing to find the x+ and y+ (LR or front right) limits so I’ll enable the y axis and keep working.
I really am starting with limited knowledge, as is obvious.
I appreciate the assistance.
John

[Pete Cyr]

You can change the default speed of motion in the vendor setting.

[Gene Uselman]

The home sequence is, fast movement to the first detection of the limit switch, then slowly back off and creep up on the limit switch for the final zero position- at that point the head will park at whatever distance from the switch that is set in the program

LB Machine- Vendor settings.jpg

This is Lightburn> Edit> Machine settings> Vendor settings-
you are looking at homing speed and Home offset for above.
RDworks is similar but the Vendor settings are password protected [RD8888]

[John Howe]

Note: I’m using the RDC6445 console to make my adjustments (which I assume is light burn?). Would I be better off using Lightburn or some other software to make these changes?
Thanks for the reply.
Here’s a video of what I’m seeing. The head, on power up, moves to the left (x-) limit and depresses it and stops. It the moves to the bottom (front y+) and triggers the y+ limit and grinds there.

[Pete Cyr]

I do not personally use Light Burn but I do strongly endorse it use - I have just been too lazy to learn it since I can do every this I want to do in RDWORKS with no issues.

Lightburn is superior most ways to RDWORK and I encourage you to continue using it.

that said - I saw from your video the laser is moving to the back left - it ends amost as soon as the travel stops so I cant see the complete sequence of the move.

"and triggers the y+ limit and grinds"

Is there a sensor for y in the bottom left - I believe in light burn you can tell the machine where the homing position is TL, BL TR, BR - is the correct location for homing setup in Lightburn?

[John Howe]

Thanks!
I have limit switches at x- (at 0)and x+ and y- (at 0). I’ve checked and they are working correctly (NO normally open)
As for the console command for home, I’ll look and see if I can set it to TL… I think I’ve set it to a coordinate of 5,5.
I’ll look at Lightburn on a pc since it seems to be what folks are generally using/recommending.
John

[Gene Uselman]

You say in your profile that the home position is TL- top left? You seem to be moving to bottom left? Where are the limit switches?

If you are not yet proficient with RDworks I would definitely look at Lightburn- Lightburn was actually written by one of our early forum members and it is far advanced from RDw IMHO. And you can actually communicate with the programmers.

[Pete Cyr]

Thanks!
I have limit switches at x- (at 0)and x+ and y- (at 0). I’ve checked and they are working correctly (NO normally open)
As for the console command for home, I’ll look and see if I can set it to TL… I think I’ve set it to a coordinate of 5,5.
I’ll look at Lightburn on a pc since it seems to be what folks are generally using/recommending.
John

Sorry for any confusion - when I say "home" I mean where the x and y gantry/laser head move to meet the proximity limit switches during the power on initialization process