Machsupport Forum
Third party software and hardware support forums. => PoKeys => Topic started by: yahuie on March 09, 2010, 07:32:36 PM
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Hi,
I have been doing a retrofit for way longer than I would like to admit and purchased an Automation Direct DL06 and all the necessary breakout hardware for doing a lot of the i/o on a vertical machining center with a tool changer. I am just now getting to the tool changer and was thinking about maybe using the pokeys for the i/o instead. It seems like it might be easier to program it with a brain or macro rather than having the plc handle some of the i/o and the smoothstepper I am using handle the rest.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Bill
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PoKeys works just fine with brains.
regards
Boris
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Bill,
Pokeys is a great wee device but I would say the PLC is the better option for a tool changer especially as you already have it. Main reason is your tool changer is very likely to be 24v and the PLC can interface directly to that (presuming its a DC or relay out PLC) , with the pokeys you would need to convert the 5v to 24v and vice versa.
The Pokeys is very nice for switch panels and hand held pendants and is a nice price when comparing to a PLC, especially if you want analogue Inputs.
Hood
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I used a PLC (Cubloc) to run my tool changer. I found it much easier to program than using brains for control.
Vince
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Thanks for all the input. This might be wishful thinking, but I wonder if anyone has posted a program for a tool changer anywhere. I haven't done ladder logic in forever. I know I would have to edit it, but that always seems way easer than starting from scratch.
Best,
Bill
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This is getting off topic, but if you check out this thread I posted the code needed to run my tool turret. I also posted some code for Mach to talk to the Cubloc.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50685&highlight=cubloc
It's a long thread so you may have to did to find the information.
Vince
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How does the changer work?
Hood
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The whole carousel moves over to the spindle. I am going through the logic right now.
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Do you have any photos?
regards
Boris
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It is a cincinatti Arrow 500. I just attached a few photos.
Thanks,
Bill