Hello all,
            Previously I completed a cnc conversion on BVB25L lathe and now I'm adding a 8 station tool turret to this cnc lathe:


I know I need a macro code for this, I did a search on Machsupport forum, found some code but not sure if that's the suitable one, here's the link:
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,15569.0.html

can I use the code below for my tool turret?

'Macro Tool Changer

Sub Main()

Dim Tool As Integer
Dim OldTool As Integer
Dim NewTool As Integer
Dim MaxToolNum As Integer

NewTool = 10
MaxToolNum = 8 'Maximum positions on Automatic Tool Changer
Tool = GetSelectedTool() 'Get the toolnumber from the command e.g T0101 M6 Tool number 1
OldTool = GetCurrentTool() 'Get current tool number



If Tool > MaxtoolNum Then GoTo 6
If TOOL = OldTool Then GoTo 7
 
ActivateSignal(Output3) 'Turn on output signal to turn off spindle and turn on the atc
sleep(10)
ActivateSignal(Output4) 'Turn atc forward
sleep (3000) 'Needed to start atc otherwise it plays up

While  NewTool <> Tool
   ' CheckPins
If IsActive(Input3) And Not IsActive(Input2) And Not IsActive(Input1) Then
NewTool = 1
GoTo 5       'StopTool
End If
If Not IsActive(Input3) And Not IsActive(Input2) And Not IsActive(Input1) Then
NewTool = 8
GoTo 5       'StopTool
End If
If Not IsActive(Input3) And Not IsActive(Input2) And IsActive(Input1) Then
NewTool = 4
GoTo 5       'StopTool
End If
If IsActive(Input3) And Not IsActive(Input2) And IsActive(Input1)Then
NewTool = 5
GoTo 5       'StopTool
End If
If IsActive(Input3) And IsActive(Input2) And IsActive(Input1) Then
NewTool = 7
GoTo 5       'StopTool
End If
If Not IsActive(Input3) And IsActive(Input2) And IsActive(Input1)Then
NewTool = 6
GoTo 5       'StopTool
End If
If Not IsActive(Input3) And IsActive(Input2) And Not IsActive(Input1) Then
NewTool = 2
GoTo 5       'StopTool
End If
If IsActive(Input3) And IsActive(Input2) And Not IsActive(Input1) Then
NewTool = 3
GoTo 5       'StopTool
End If

Wend

5:
' Stoptool
DeActivateSignal(Output4) 'StopATC
sleep(10)
ActivateSignal(Output5) 'Run ATC in reverse
Sleep (3000) 'Wait 3 seconds to allow the toolpost to lock in
DeActivateSignal(Output5) 'Stop running ATC in reverse
Sleep (1000)
SetCurrentTool(NewTool)
DeActivateSignal(Output3) 'Turn off output to turn spindle back on
sleep(10)
GoTo 7

6:
MsgBox ("Tool out of RANGE")
Goto 7
 
7:

 End Sub


Thanks,

How does your turret operate? what signals does it require?

Hood

Hello Hood,
                The turret tool changer use a double acting cylinder ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumatic_cylinder#mediaviewer/File:Doppelwirkender_Zylinder_Funktionsprinziep.gif)
attached at the back of the tool changer box so to change tool air applies to one of the tube to dis-engage then turn the the plate via a stepper motor to the desire position then applies air to the other tube to engage.

http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/cncfreakcncfreak/media/BVB25L%20cnc%20conversion/Tool%20turret%20ATC/M4V05238_zps5e2bf69a.mp4.html

Ok then what you will want is something like this.

First you will ideally have a Home switch fitted so that you can home the turret.
You also need 2 outputs for your cylinder.
You want to set up the motor tuning so that the A axis is per degree (assuming you are using A) and set the Vel and Accel according to your needs.
On general config page you want A is Angular, you also want Ang Short Rot on G0 and 360 rollover chosen and Rotary soft limits off.

When you do as above what should happen is when you command a tool position Mach will look to see the shortest route and go whichever direction it is.

The macro will be fairly easy and although I am not the best at VB I will give it a shot later on when I get a chance.

Hood

Thanks for the info.
Home Switch for Turret, where should this be placed? any related links?

thanks,

You dont need the home switch but it would be easier to set up as you could home the turret at each staart of Mach. If you dont have a home switch then you will have to ensure that the turret is in the correct position each time you start Mach.

If you do fit a home switch then an optical or a prox would be best and exactly how you fit would depend on the setup inside, you can maybe  fit a slotted disc in there for an opto or maybe have a magnet for a prox fitted.


Hood

I'll add a home switch inside the turret. If I use an incremental encoder would this work using the I (index pin)?

It will depend on what you are using, ie if it is the parallel port then the index from an encoder will be too short a duration. If it is an external controller then it may or may not be ok, all depends on the speed of the inputs on that controller.
Hood

This reminded me the slot disk behind the lathe chuck to read spindle speed, slot disk it is.

I thought about it and likely you will only be requiring 1 output for the air solenoid as the default position will be air clamping and you will only have one signal to change the solenoid valve.

Anyway here is a macro, it seems to work here, so hopefully it will do. Paste the following into notepad and save as M6Start.m1s  in the macro folder of the profile you are using.

OldTool = GetCurrentTool()
 
NewTool = GetSelectedTool() Mod 8
 If NewTool = 0 Then
  NewTool = 8
  End If

Tool = ((NewTool * 45) - 45)
 

 
If NewTool = OldTool Then
End
Else
ActivateSignal (OutPut1)
sleep 100
Code "G53 G0 A" & Tool
While IsMoving()
Wend
DeActivateSignal(OutPut1)
End If 

Hood