2
« on: April 20, 2021, 10:06:37 AM »
I am having some trouble getting my Lathe's tool change macro to work. Any help would be appreciated.
System(s):
(1) Computer: Dell Optiplex 780, Windows 7 64bit home, 4gb Ram, 250gb Solid State HardDrive, intel core duo 3ghz processor. Using Mach3.
(2) External Motion Controller: Warp9's Smooth stepper, With C25S - Dual Port SmoothStepper Board(Push Lock Terminals) Breakout board, and 5vdc 1amp power supply.
(3) Machine: Retrofit Lablond cnc lathe, With Gecko Drives and Automatic tool turret(Which is where my problem is).
Problem(s):
(1): After entering M6T(Tool Number (ex.M6T3)) Mach 3 clears the current tool and then asks me to enter current tool and then desired tool.
(2): After tool change is complete, the tool current tool is updated but the offsets are not.
The tool turret is a simple 4 station mechanical one that uses CW to rotate one tool position and then CCW to lock it into place, the process is repeated until the desired tool is reached.
The Macro I have been using is one I found on this forum and then modified slightly to fit my needs.
'Tool change macro for 4 tool turret
Sub Main()
'Sets variable OldTool to what is currently loaded
OldTool=GetCurrentTool()
'Sets Variable MaxToolNum to the max number of tools possible
MaxToolNum=4
'Sets variable Newtool to the one being selected with M6 T#
tool = GetSelectedTool()
NewTool = tool
'Get positions before moving to do tool change
x = GetToolChangeStart( 0 )
y = GetToolChangeStart( 1 )
z = GetToolChangeStart( 2 )
a = GetToolChangeStart( 3 )
b = GetToolChangeStart( 4 )
c = GetToolChangeStart( 5 )
'If the current tool loaded is 0 or greater than 4 then tool has been lost
'so need to ask what tool is currently loaded
While OldTool=0 Or OldTool>4
OldTool=Question ("Current tool unknown, enter tool in spindle 1 to " & MaxToolNum)
Wend
'Sets CurrentTool to Oldtool in case it was lost and entered above
SetCurrentTool(OldTool)
'When the tool asked for is invalid then this makes you select a valid tool
While NewTool > MaxToolNum Or NewTool <1
NewTool = Question ("Invalid tool chosen, enter tool number 1 to " & MaxToolNum)
Wend
'If the tool asked for is the same one that is already loaded then exit macro
If NewTool=OldTool Then
Message "Tool already loaded or tool not specified with T# (ex:M6 T4)"
Exit Sub
End If
'Turn off soft limits if they are on
If GetOEMLED(23) Then
DoOEMButton(119)
End If
'Sets ChangeNums to 0 for safety in case it is not at 0
ChangeNums=0
'Makes the magic happen and moves the proper number of times if new tool is higher than old
If NewTool>OldTool Then
For ChangeNums=1 To NewTool-OldTool
'Moves Z axis to the top of tool change
ActivateSignal(Output2)
Sleep 3000
DeActivateSignal(Output2)
Sleep 500
'Moves back to bottom of tool change area
ActivateSignal(Output3)
Sleep 2000
DeActivateSignal(Output3)
Sleep 500
Next
'Makes the magic happen and moves the proper number of times if new tool is lower than old
Else
For ChangeNums=(OldTool-NewTool) To 3
'Moves Z axis to the top of tool change
ActivateSignal(Output2)
Sleep 3000
DeActivateSignal(Output2)
Sleep 500
'Moves back to bottom of tool change area
ActivateSignal(Output3)
Sleep 2000
DeActivateSignal(Output3)
Sleep 500
Next
End If
'Should be a succesful tool change at this point so this sets the NewTool as the current tool
SetCurrentTool(NewTool)
'Turn back on soft limits
DoOEMButton(119)
End Sub
Guest
Show Posts