Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: eloid on August 31, 2014, 08:58:53 PM
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Hello im looking to purchase a atc spindle and have lots question?
1. How is the Pressure Switch controlled with mach or the bob?
2. How is the solenoid valve controlled?
3. How does mach know the tool change is completed
I understand there are marcos for changing the tools, If there anyone that can share how they setup there hardware
and can explain question 1-3
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It all depends on the tool changer.
If the ATC requires critical timing, then you'll need to use some form of external controller to act as an interface between Mach3 and the ATC, as Mach3 macros only have a 10hz update rate so critical timing points can easily be missed.
If it doesn't require critical timing, then it's just a case of connecting up the inputs and outputs.
Regardless of how it's connected, you need to write/modify a suitable toolchange macro to handle the required toolchange sequence, via whatever inputs/outputs are being used.
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I dont think the atc needs to have critical timing for my needs... i have read, you need a pressure switch and 5/2 Monostable solenoid valve ...any pneumatic experts here to explain how this solenoide works ...so i figure how to wire it?
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A 5/2 valve, is a changeover valve designed for reversing double acting actuators.
A quick google has thrown up this page - http://www.angelfire.com/ia3/jrtdogbone/pneumatic.htm
If you scroll down a bit, it's got a good diagram/animation/explanation.
It would help if we knew what ATC you're looking at, as it saves guessing about how it should be setup.
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This is what I have been able to come up with in my search, my background is not pneumatics so I need some help
atc diagram
https://www.damencnc.com/images/products/fullsize/1384707087_Pneumatic%20Set%20for%20ATC.jpg
clean shop dry air in (point 4)
Compressed air filtering 5um (point 5 in diagram)
Compressed air filtering 0.1um (point 6 in diagram)
Pressure regulator (point 7 in diagram)
Pressure Switch (point 8 in diagram)
5/2 Monostable solenoid valve, including connector coil etc (point 9 in diagram)
The part I need help with is triggering the pressure switch and solenoid valve before and after the tool change with mach
Im using c32 bob http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/product_info.php?cPath=33&products_id=182
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I'm assuming that the pressure switch is a safety to E-Stop the system if the air pressure drops?
Both pressure switches and pneumatic valves are available in a variety of voltages, commonly 24VDC and 110V AC.
You would have the pressure switch trigger a relay to activate an input on the breakout board.
And you'd have an output on the breakout board activate a relay, which would activate the valve.
You need to choose relays with appropriate voltage values to match the other components.
If you check Ebay for MAC valves, you can often find new high quality valves for $10-$20. Or, you can buy new chinese valves for about the same price.
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When mach moves to make new tool change..and moves to empty tool holder to release the used tool what Activates the
The solinoide to release the tool ....mach ( software comand) or the spindle ( hardware ie sensor) when the spindle is
lower in the unused tool holder
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Mach3 should be controlling everything.
Depending on the spindle, there may be sensors that tell you if there's a tool loaded, so you don't try to load a tool when there's already one loaded. BEtter spindles have these, but I don't if the Chinese ones do.
In Mach3, your M6 macro controls the entire tool change.