Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: vintageracer on October 11, 2008, 03:22:37 PM
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Is it possible for Mach 3 to run two breakout boards with three or four drives on each board?
Not all axis will be running at the same time, at most I'd say four at once.
Timothy
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You can use up to six axis and it doesnt matter which port you have them on. Could be quite a few reasons you are having problems such as power supply not being sufficient or even faulty breakout boards. Give us more info such as the hardware you have and how you have them connected.
Hood
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I don't have it running yet.
I just thought of the idea this afternoon.
Instead of using a PLC and a modbus to run the ATC, I could just assign three drives (two servos and one stepper) to the three axis (A,B and C) and operate the ATC with G code or a macro.
The 7th drive is for a 4th axis rotary table, but I can skip that if I can get the tool changer working this way.
Timothy
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Ah sorry, should read better, thought you were saying not all axis will run at the same time meaning you are having problems :(
Why do you need three axis for a tool changer? could you not use air solenoids or similar? just seems a waste of axis.
Hood
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Everything is already in place.
I didn't want to reinvent the wheel, just wanted new electronics.
Soild machine, goofy code.
Timothy
(http://www.naughtyboymotorracing.com/dm4400pics/dm4400.jpg)
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Got any closeup pics of the changer? I am going to be making one for my Beaver mill at some point and am just looking at all different ways at the moment before I decide on a design. My rotation will be taken care of by an indexing servo drive so dont have to worry about using an axis for that.
Hood
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The arm AC motor, moves it in and out with position sensors at both ends.
(http://www.naughtyboymotorracing.com/dm4400pics/tcmotor1.jpg)
The carousel is operated by a stepper through a worm drive with a home position sensor.
(http://www.naughtyboymotorracing.com/dm4400pics/tcmotor2.jpg)
And the tool release is operated by an AC motor, like the ATC arm, and a reduction gear.
(http://www.naughtyboymotorracing.com/dm4400pics/tcmotor3.jpg)
Timothy
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Thanks. also when you say tool release are you meaning from the spindle or carousel?
Hood
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From the spindle.
The plunger on the bottom of the tool release gearbox operates the retaining fork that holds onto the retention knob.
The lever you see in pic 3 triggers the position sensors and opens the air valve to pop out the tool.
Timothy
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Ah ok, seems a rather complex setup, but if it works then thats al that matters :)
Mine has a conventional drawbar with belville washers and hydraulic cylinder.
Hood
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My G code macro would look something like this
G00 Z5.0 M09 lift tool off of the work piece and turn off coolant
(tool change to T2) note to self
G21 G40 G54 go to absolute coordinates
G00 Z88.0 M05 bring Z up to tool change position, turn off spindle (align?)
G01 A200.00 F10. move tool changer in
G01 B20.0 release retention knob
G01 Z0. Z up out of the way
G01 C100.0 rotate carousel to position 2
G01 Z88.0 Z back onto the tool
G01 B0.0 lock retention knob
G01 A0.0 carousel back to home
G21 G43 G55 back to program
Once programmed into my post processor this would be easy.
Any alignment problems would be corrected by changing the travel distance.
Timothy
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Sounds good
Make sure you post pics as you get on withthe retrofit :)
Hood