8 position lathe toolchanger

[BIGWING]

Hi all

I am in the early stage of converting  an Emcoturn 120
to Mach control and at the moment I am looking at the toolchanger
it appears to be a really well made bit of kit (see photos)

It is a pawl design with a spring loaded pin used for location
meaning it can only rotate in one direction ( although the manual I
have says it can move either direction but I cant see any method for
retracting pin so I think it may be for a later version unless someone
out there can put me right) The turret position is controlled by 4 sensors
and cutaway vane which produces 4 output signals shown in the table.
Movement is via a small dc motor controlled by an emco board.

It is my intention to change the dc motor with a stepper and have a fast
rotate followed by a slow reversed rotate to lock pin as I have seen a
macro on the forum to tackle this type of setup. I have also seen another
macro setup to handle pin position input. (with if possible including the
option of a manual selector or rotate switch)

I have some user experience of mach3 mill but none of mach3 turn
and this if my first venture into the nuts and bolts of system setup.

I would like to be able to either modify existing programs or write
new to suit but dont have any knowledge of vb script .Can anyone
out there tell where I can find list of commands and construction rules
or recommend a book. As this is a skill I would love to master.

Also I am  a bit lost at the moment on how to convert the sensor
output results (see table) so mach knows that for example
1011 is position 5

any help would be greatly appreciated

cheers George

[Tweakie.CNC]

The Visual Basic version used is Cypress Enable and the commands and syntax in PDF format can be downloaded from here;

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=18062.0;attach=26020

Also Scott's Mach specific routines here;

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=11056.0;attach=14194

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=11061.0;attach=14193

Hope this helps,

Tweakie.

[BIGWING]

thanks Tweakie thats exactly what I was looking for.

now the learning curve begins

cheers george

[BR549]

Might want to consider using the TC as is. Obviously it worked well   Just need to work out the control.

Just a thought(;-) TP

[BIGWING]

Hi TP

Was looking to change to stepper motor as I don't think I have the electrical ability to work out dc motor drive control.

Stepper approach seems more achievable (for me)

However if anyone out the has already integrated an Emcoturn 120 turret I would love to hear from them.

I'm all in favour of saving some money

Cheers George

[BR549]

Check with TANTAN here:  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,5718.10.html

Looks like he has converted one with Tool changer.

Just a thought(;-) TP