Time estimation until next Tool Change

[Baumeister25]

Hi all,

think it would be a good idea to see the estimated time until the next Tool Change in Mach 3 V4.
I have often long programs >5h with a few TC inside. My machine has no automatic Toolchanger
so it would be very helpful to see the estimated time to the next TC in advance (best would be as DRO
selection then everybody can include it into their screens). At the moment thats even with macros not
possible.

See also thread: http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,14816.0.html

Thanks in advance!

Wolfgang

[oleancomputers]

I like this idea.  Then you know if you should stick around a few minutes or come back 1/2hour later.  Great for time managment!

[Baumeister25]

That was exactely what i wanted. Improved time management. So i know if i can go out and weld 1h around or better stay the 5 minutes to the next TC.

[oleancomputers]

I would have thought a lot of job shops could use this feature.  Hopefully someday!

[BR549]

You need to put in an official request to Andrew at Machsupport.

(;-) TP

[Baumeister25]

How?

[BR549]

EMAIL HIM

(;-) TP

[oleancomputers]

Since MACH can estimate the cycle times maybe the button that starts the job estimate could add time in which that line will be executed and one could read the current job time.  could be a checkbox feature in the milling options or such

normal code
N10 X1 Y1 Z.1
N20 X2 Y4 Z0
N30 X4 Y3 Z-.1

time added to normal code
N10 X1 Y1 Z.1 (Time till Ex = 2.30)
N20 X2 Y4 Z0 F.2 (Time till Ex = 2.32)
N30 X4 Y3 Z-.1 (Time till Ex = 2.50)

Or only on, above or below M6 commands TIME comments could be added.

I think this would be a huge improvement to the CNC world!

[AndrewM]

The way you describe doing it could only be done through the CAM program posting the code.

A button or DRO would need to be implemented and added to the screen set to work(Estimation DRO is written into the CODE of Mach3). This MIGHT be something that could be added in the new version though.

I'll inquire about it to the Code Gods.
Andrew

[oleancomputers]

Andrew,

MACH assigns it's own line numbers to the left of the G-code line numbers.  Maybe to keep it from being CAM dependant the time could be assigned next to Mach's line numbers or outside of the G-code textbox.

I'm glad you do see the interest.  This is something that would possibly raise the bar with modern CNC/NC software.

The suggestion wasn't by me but I Love the idea!