Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

I mounted a Normally Open proximity sensor to my power drawbar to indicate when the drawbar is activated and "unclamps" the tool. The first image shows the drawbar in the clamped position (No power to the solenoid).

The second image shows the Unclamped position with the solenoid activated. The LED is glowing on the proximity sensor, and input #37 (the last image below) is red.

When the drawbar is released (no power to the solenoid) the drawbar retracts, the tool is clamped and input #37 shows green.

Can you confirm that this input is acting correctly?

Richard

I don't think that is correct.

You appear to have INP37 inverted (that is why there is an overscore above it).

You should un-invert INP37, so that it is green (closed) when the tool is unclamped, and red (open) when the tool is not unclamped.

Thanks Marc. I did not notice the overscore on the input. Since I used a normally open proximity sensor, I set the input to N/O. I was not sure what CNC12 was expecting. I will invert the input.

Thanks for your help.

Since I used a normally open proximity sensor, I set the input to N/O. I was not sure what CNC12 was expecting. I will invert the input.

In my opinion, this is a longstanding design problem with the Acorn Wizard. You are led to believe you should select "N.O." if you are using a normally-open sensor, when in fact you should select "N.O." if your sensor is opposite the expected state and therefore requires inversion. It is up to you to guess what the expected state is.

Just for clarity, could you post a screenshot of the Acorn Wizard page where you assigned and configured the ToolIsUnclamped input?

Hello Marc,

Attached is the screen shot of the Wizard. You are correct, it is a bit confusing. I revesed the input so it is now Normally Open and it works as you described "is green (closed) when the tool is unclamped, and red (open) when the tool is not unclamped". Also, no overscore above the input. Thanks again.

cncsnw wrote: ↑Mon Aug 25, 2025 12:41 pm

Since I used a normally open proximity sensor, I set the input to N/O. I was not sure what CNC12 was expecting. I will invert the input.

In my opinion, this is a longstanding design problem with the Acorn Wizard. You are led to believe you should select "N.O." if you are using a normally-open sensor, when in fact you should select "N.O." if your sensor is opposite the expected state and therefore requires inversion. It is up to you to guess what the expected state is.

Just for clarity, could you post a screenshot of the Acorn Wizard page where you assigned and configured the ToolIsUnclamped input?

no where in the current wizard does it say normally open or closed. these terms mean different things to different people as we have gone over before on this forum and they have been removed from the wizard. update your CNC12 version. you are using an older version.

the input color swap in the wizard is there to allow the user to easily invert the input when things are flipped around. use the Alt I menu to confirm state and action.

Thanks Keith. I am waiting for 5.40 to come out and looking forward to this update.

Hello Keith,

Just circling back on the topic of Normally Open or Normally Closed.

You mentioned that "no where in the current wizard does it say normally open or closed. these terms mean different things to different people as we have gone over before on this forum and they have been removed from the wizard".

I am glad you brought this to my attention and looking forward to version 5.40. Just curious, I looked at the most current installation manual and it still shows open and closed status (see attached). Was this something that was changed recently?

Best... Richard

yeah the documentation always lags the software since we work on the software first.

I changed the wording in the Wizard on the input page as well to better clarify.

"Click the Green/Red Circle next to the Input number to invert in the input definition logic. Red = inverted, Green = not inverted, Black = Logic determined in touch device menus."

and we are making the probe circles Black (from grey)

Thanks. I do try to check the manual before posting questions. I think your new convention make better sense.