Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => Feature Requests => Topic started by: Baumeister25 on June 28, 2010, 02:54:07 AM

Title: Time estimation until next Tool Change
Post by: Baumeister25 on June 28, 2010, 02:54:07 AM: Hi all,

think it would be a good idea to see the estimated time until the next Tool Change in Mach 3 V4.
I have often long programs >5h with a few TC inside. My machine has no automatic Toolchanger
so it would be very helpful to see the estimated time to the next TC in advance (best would be as DRO
selection then everybody can include it into their screens). At the moment thats even with macros not
possible.

See also thread: http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,14816.0.html

Thanks in advance!

Wolfgang
Title: Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change
Post by: oleancomputers on October 30, 2011, 09:00:22 AM: I like this idea. Then you know if you should stick around a few minutes or come back 1/2hour later. Great for time managment!
Title: Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change
Post by: Baumeister25 on October 31, 2011, 04:25:47 AM: That was exactely what i wanted. Improved time management. So i know if i can go out and weld 1h around or better stay the 5 minutes to the next TC.
Title: Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change
Post by: oleancomputers on November 03, 2011, 05:06:43 PM: I would have thought a lot of job shops could use this feature. Hopefully someday!
Title: Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change
Post by: BR549 on November 03, 2011, 05:18:17 PM: You need to put in an official request to Andrew at Machsupport.

(;-) TP
Title: Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change
Post by: Baumeister25 on November 05, 2011, 04:06:29 AM: How?
Title: Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change
Post by: BR549 on November 05, 2011, 11:50:27 AM: EMAIL HIM

(;-) TP
Title: Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change
Post by: oleancomputers on November 10, 2011, 10:51:47 AM: Since MACH can estimate the cycle times maybe the button that starts the job estimate could add time in which that line will be executed and one could read the current job time. could be a checkbox feature in the milling options or such

normal code
N10 X1 Y1 Z.1
N20 X2 Y4 Z0
N30 X4 Y3 Z-.1

time added to normal code
N10 X1 Y1 Z.1 (Time till Ex = 2.30)
N20 X2 Y4 Z0 F.2 (Time till Ex = 2.32)
N30 X4 Y3 Z-.1 (Time till Ex = 2.50)

Or only on, above or below M6 commands TIME comments could be added.

I think this would be a huge improvement to the CNC world!
Title: Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change
Post by: andrewm on November 10, 2011, 12:29:41 PM: The way you describe doing it could only be done through the CAM program posting the code.

A button or DRO would need to be implemented and added to the screen set to work(Estimation DRO is written into the CODE of Mach3). This MIGHT be something that could be added in the new version though.

I'll inquire about it to the Code Gods.
Andrew
Title: Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change
Post by: oleancomputers on November 10, 2011, 02:13:12 PM: Andrew,

MACH assigns it's own line numbers to the left of the G-code line numbers. Maybe to keep it from being CAM dependant the time could be assigned next to Mach's line numbers or outside of the G-code textbox.

I'm glad you do see the interest. This is something that would possibly raise the bar with modern CNC/NC software.

The suggestion wasn't by me but I Love the idea!
Title: Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change
Post by: adprinter on November 15, 2011, 09:09:42 PM: Tip: If you will make it a HABIT after loading your gcode file into Mach3, to navigate to the Toolpath Screen, and click on Simulate Program Run you can get a fairly accurate estimate of time until the various tool changes (IF your CAM software has added comments in the gcode such as Roughing, Finishing, etc. at the location of the M3's) by watching the elapsed time in the Simulation text box. You have to watch the Status field at the bottom of the screen closely, and when you see the message change from Roughing Cut, to Finishing Cut IMMEDIATELY glance up at the Simulator text box to read the elapsed (estimated) time. It's not an exact method, but it will get you in the ballpark of estimating when the toolchanges will occurr. Just be sure to read the elapsed time IMMEDIATELY after the message changes in the Status field, because it continues to run the Simulation (and the elapsed time is still flying by). As I said, it's not exact. But it will get you within a couple of minutes of WHEN you need to be there. I still like the idea of a DRO box which gives you a count down to next tool change - Additionally, it would be nice if Mach3 also included a box which lists line numbers of all tool changes. In case of inacurate Re-Zero of the Z axis happens during a tool change (for quick reference of where to set next line to Run From Here, after subsequently correcting the Z Zero). For those of us not yet equipped with digital probes for setting the Z Zero......
Title: Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change
Post by: BR549 on November 15, 2011, 09:47:18 PM: It is possible to do something like that now but it would be a bit cluncky.

The is a routine you can use to time the toolchanges as the program runs then store that time in a Gcode var in the program. Then when the M6 is triggered it starts a coutdown timer with the included time. As the Tool changes occur it constantly loads the next variable and continues.

Might not be perfect but it would work. Just depends on how many would actually use it.

(;-) TP
Title: Re: Time estimation until next Tool Change
Post by: oleancomputers on November 16, 2011, 06:57:01 AM: It think those are both good ideas for long programs. It gives us a way to estimate it until maybe someday it is more automated. Thanks guys.