How to wait for macro to finish first before going on?

General Discussion
1

Hi folks,

maybe I’m blind or dump but I do not find any information on how to wait for a macro to finish first before going on.

Currently I have a macro to run Z calibration like follows:

[gcode_macro Calibrate_Z_Probe]
#rename_existing: BASE_PROBE_CALIBRATE
gcode:
    Bauraumlicht
    {% if printer.toolhead.homed_axes != "xyz" %}
        G28                                                                     # home if not homed
    {% endif %}
    PROBE_CALIBRATE
    G90
    G0 Z10 F3600
    Bauraumlicht VALUE=0

It will run the PROBE_CALIBRATE macro and after this has finished raise Z again and turn off the light.
However it currently runs the PROBE_CALIBRATE macro and executes the following commands…
Is it somehow possible to wait for that whole calibration process?
A strange side effect is that when Z raises 10 mm the whole print head moves on X and Y as well. Maybe each axis for 10 mm as well… :confused:

Thanks in advance!

2

You could insert a M400 command:

https://reprap.org/wiki/G-code#M400:_Wait_for_current_moves_to_finish

3

Does not fix the issue. :frowning: But thanks for your reply.

However even when directly running PROBE_CALIBRATE the print head drifts away a few mm. Very strange.

4

AFAIK there is no direct way to wait for a long running process. You could time the seconds needed and use delayed_gcode
or find a printer variable that changes upon completion of PROBE_CALIBRATE and react upon this change (e.g. poll it every second and when changed, do something). I don’t know if there is a suitable one.

1 Like
5

Might be hard to set a duration for that process as it is not so static or deterministic.
Do you know where to change the original PROBE_CALIBRATE macro?
Seems to be internal and somehow hidden from us curious users… Maybe I can add some variables there and later analyze as you suggested.

6

PROBE_CALIBRATE moves the toolhead into a spot where you can use the “paper test” to verify the position of the toolhead. The following ACCEPT command continues the operation.

PROBE_CALIBRATE is not a macro - it is an internal command.

You may be able to make a new macro (eg, FINISH) that calls ACCEPT and turns the light off. You could potentially use that new macro in place of ACCEPT to accomplish your goal.

-Kevin

7

Thanks @koconnor for your reply.
So there is no option to hook on the internal PROBE_CALIBRATION command or that ACCEPT command that is only active when PROBE_CALIBRATION is running?

Especially with the later MainSail version there is a comfortable GUI for that routine.
As I’m often testing new print head designs or change nozzles and other parts I’ll appreciate to have some comfort during this calibration.

8

Alas, it’s not something I’ve tried or looked at, so I don’t know. It may or may not be possible to use some elaborate macros to override the behavior (or some other similar mechanism).

-Kevin