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General Mach Discussion / Boxford TCL gathering all the info
« on: August 12, 2014, 11:25:01 AM »
Hi Folks first post here.
I am totally new to CNC and Mach3 so please forgive my ignorance.
I bought a TCL125 as I thought it would be a good way to learn about converting it to Mach3,
I have searched and scanned through the forums and there is a lot of info about converting such a machine but it is fragmented all over the place.
So far I have purchased one of the Chinese TB6560 box sets with display and keypad and 3 x nema 23 steppers.
I have the nema 23 driving successfully driving x, z and the A axis ( tool turret) can be controlled manually from Mach3.
Spindle and e stop are still on the TCL board.
So far can run a wizard and cycle start a program successfully, ( although I am still getting my head around the coordinate system )
So things to do are
Set up limit and home switches
get a macro controlling the ATC
get the spindle controlled from mach 3 (index and speed)
get the TCL panel controlling mach 3 ( hopefully).
As I hope to eventually get the TCL panel controlling aspects of Mach3 I am going to need quite a few inputs.
From reading the forums I have the choice of Modbus , serial port or a second parallel port.
For a beginner what is the simplest way ?...
Can I do it with a second parallel port just using the pins and inputs in mach ?
( I have a spare PCI parallel port card)
Any advice on the configuration and method of operation in Mach Turn for a TCL would be appreciated.
eg I presume that the tool turret is a rear toolpost, but if i set it as such is the spindle in forwards or reverse in mach 3 ? ( its physically in reverse on the machine).
I am trying to document this build from start to end, so as to give a complete record all in one place. (from a beginners viewpoint ).
Cheers
Paul G
I am totally new to CNC and Mach3 so please forgive my ignorance.
I bought a TCL125 as I thought it would be a good way to learn about converting it to Mach3,
I have searched and scanned through the forums and there is a lot of info about converting such a machine but it is fragmented all over the place.
So far I have purchased one of the Chinese TB6560 box sets with display and keypad and 3 x nema 23 steppers.
I have the nema 23 driving successfully driving x, z and the A axis ( tool turret) can be controlled manually from Mach3.
Spindle and e stop are still on the TCL board.
So far can run a wizard and cycle start a program successfully, ( although I am still getting my head around the coordinate system )
So things to do are
Set up limit and home switches
get a macro controlling the ATC
get the spindle controlled from mach 3 (index and speed)
get the TCL panel controlling mach 3 ( hopefully).
As I hope to eventually get the TCL panel controlling aspects of Mach3 I am going to need quite a few inputs.
From reading the forums I have the choice of Modbus , serial port or a second parallel port.
For a beginner what is the simplest way ?...
Can I do it with a second parallel port just using the pins and inputs in mach ?
( I have a spare PCI parallel port card)
Any advice on the configuration and method of operation in Mach Turn for a TCL would be appreciated.
eg I presume that the tool turret is a rear toolpost, but if i set it as such is the spindle in forwards or reverse in mach 3 ? ( its physically in reverse on the machine).
I am trying to document this build from start to end, so as to give a complete record all in one place. (from a beginners viewpoint ).
Cheers
Paul G