Hi TP,
I will get a pic of the actual machine soon, here is a very similar example.
The feeder and the saw slide will be CNC'd, X and Y axis respectively.
The 3 clamps and the Ejector will be pneumatic.
Each cylinder will need 2 prox switches ea. and each Axis will have 1 Home/Limit switch ea.
The Feeder slide will have a prox sw. to sense the end of the material.
Might use a PoKeys for the I/O ? ? ? (this is where I was considering a PLC)
(the saw slide is now fluid controlled pneumatics, could possibly use this instead of CNC but would rather not. $.$$ might be a determining factor here)
The saw slide will have 3 basic positions. Retracted and extended for the cutting cycle and a fully retracted position for blade changes. ("Blade Change" button on-screen)
The Spindle and Coolant can be standard Mach M-Codes.
The Cycle:
Power up the machine and HOME the axis's.
All clamps OPEN, Ejector retracted, Saw retracted.
Operator selects CUT-Length from a file or enters directly into a DRO.
Configure the clamps for the selected job and load the material.
Manually close clamps 1 & 2 (push button)
All looks well, Cycle Start
1. Saw and Coolant turns ON, FEEDER retracts to the max number of possible cut-lengths per stroke, then clamps the material.
2. G1 Y** to make the cut then G0 Y0.
3. Clamp #1 opens
4. Ejector extends then retracts
5. Clamp #2 opens
6. FEEDER advances 1 cut-length increment.
7. Clamps #1 and #2 close
8. Repeat 2 thru 6 until the prox switch on the feeder slide senses the end of the material during a retract.
9. The feeder positions itself at the last available full cut-length increment and feeds the remaining stock thru the saw.
10. M30 (I guess the cycle could continue until a feeder retract drops the prox sw BEFORE one cut increment is reached, same thing ?)
I would guess a Mach3 Screenset would be the best.
Piece of cake ? ? ?

Thanks for looking,
Russ