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1

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 manual tool change help

« on: September 12, 2017, 12:06:53 AM »

Thank you gents!  This is exactly what I was looking for.  You guys (and Daz-the-Gaz) rock!

2

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach4 manual tool change help

« on: September 10, 2017, 09:39:41 AM »

Hi all,
I'm very new to CNC and attempted to make my first part yesterday. I'm using Tormach TTS holders and set up my tool library in fusion360 (and tool table in Mach4), I Checked the "manual tool change option" in fusion.  I tried to make a part using 3 tools: 1. flycutter, 2. 3/8"endmill, and 3. Chamfer endmill.  

When it was time to change from tool #1 to #2, the spindle went + on Z, I was expecting a pause/stop for me to change the tool but the machine sped back into the part under the impression tool#2 was in place.  I was able to stop the z downward direction before a crash but my heart was racing and my palms got sweaty.  

I jogged the spindle, changed my tool and continued the gcode.  When the #2->#3 tool change came up, it increased z altitude like before but this time it waited for me to change tools. I hit cycle start and no problem.

The strange think about this is that I re-ran the gcode (no tools in spindle) and a couple of times it did stop to wait for the manual tool change.  Seems like it should always fail to stop but it didn't.
I'm using a converted g0704 with Hicon integra controller, mach4, fusion 360 cam and the generic mach4 post processor.  

This is the part of the gcode that didn't always wait for a manual tool change:
Z-0.1
X0. F15.
X2.25 F8.
G2 X2.63 Z0.28 I0. K0.38 F15.
G0 Z0.6
G17
G28 G91 Z0.
G90

(2D ADAPTIVE1)
M5
M9
M1
T2 M6
(38 2 FLUTE ENDMILL FLAT)
S2200 M3
G54
M8
G0 X-0.0368 Y-2.6765

Am I missing something?  is there a setting in Mach4 to allow for manual tool changes every time (and wait for me to change the tool)?   Should I add a dwell time after every tool change?
Any advice is appreciated!
Daniel