PMDX-424 and multiple probes

[Tronn]

Hi All,

I've got a PMDX-424 running Mach 4 and am looking for some advice on using it with multiple probes (aka touch probe for work finding and a tool setter).

I know that PMDX does not support the alternate probe inputs. Is there a reason they are not supported? (genuinely curious).

My first thought was to wire both the probe and the tool setter to the same input, but this would not work because one device is NO and one is NC. I know this can be 'inverted' electrically, but I am hoping for an alternate solution.

My second attempt was to map the tool setter to probe1 (and then also tried mapping it to input0), then setting the probe value in the machine to follow the value of the tool setter input. The mach screen shows the input following each other, but the machine appears to ignore the inputs during a probing cycle.

Thoughts? Has anyone else done something like this on their PMDX-424

[12strings]

The "detect the probe touch, record the position and halt motion" part of probing is handled in the motion device (i.e. PMDX SmartBOB, SmoothStepper, etc.) due to real-time requirements.  Can't speak as to why they only support PROBE and not PROBE1,2,3.