Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Mach4 General Discussion => Topic started by: donb9261 on August 05, 2015, 05:08:48 PM
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Brian,
Are there any plans or current implementations of dual channel cnc control in M4. I have an application that requires 2 heads. Means I have 2 x's, 2 y's.... I would need to be able sync the 2 channels via MCODE or other function. Basically a 2 spindle machine for high production. I am considering Fanuc for this but if you see a way to do it in Mach, I am all in.
TP,
What do you think? Having it done with 2 FPGA's is easy but then you have 2 Mach's running. One Mach, 2 FPGA's??? Possible.
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Need more data ? Gotta sketch ???
(;-) TP
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Like a lathe with 2 turrets and live tools on both. And a sub. Also known as a MillTurn. Mori Seiki NT series is a good example.
Or imagine a router with 2 independent Gantry and independent atc units.
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OK it is going to depend on HOW you define interact between the 2 sets . It would be simple IF each set ran as a seperate unit just use a controller that allowed a download to ram for each of the FPGA's Heck you could have 6 if you wanted. Then a timed signal to start. The tool changes would be controlled from a PLC (hard or soft)for each unit. They would NOT have to run the same program for each unit it could be a progressive line where each stage is a a continuing process to a part .
IF you mean being able to control up to 6 or more control sets in sets of 3-4 BUT not all 3 sets of 3 axis at teh same time YES compilcated but yes it is possible from a single Mach3 . BUT I certainly would not want to have to write the Gcode for that beast. Well actually that would be a Cool one to do. Just would not want to do it every day.
NOW if you mean 2 totally interactive units that ran coordinated actions as a unit NOPE that takes a LOT of HP CPU wise( mulitple cpu's running parrallel)
(;-) TP