Messages

121

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 toolchange for dummies???

« on: June 21, 2011, 03:34:13 PM »

Between Hood helping me find the right settings window and a call to Garrett at Cubloc, I have finally got modbus communicationg between Mach3 and the Cubloc.

I dont have any information being passed back and forth yet, but I did test communication, and it did work!!!!

122

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 toolchange for dummies???

« on: June 21, 2011, 01:18:08 PM »

Ok, so last night before my encoder trace problem surfaced, I finally had the Ah-Ha moment...

I realized what does what in this tool changer equation. I was getting the VB script for the toolchange Macro for Mach confused with the VB script that runs on the cubloc!

I discovered this when the cubloc studio VB editor would not reckognise VB commands that were used in Fdos's macro. When Cubloc studio did not reckognise these commands I realsied it was because I was trying to edit/run/test VB script that was native to Mach! Of course I could not use this in Cubloc studio! what was I thinking?

Now, I finally put it together that the VB script (macro) in Mach is a totally seperate piece of code from the VB script running in the Cubloc. Sure, they have to talk over modbus, but each has a distinct role to play.

Mach3 VB script Macro is used to call a toolchange (in MDI or Gcode). it determines what tool position it is in, and if it is not in the position that is requested by the toolchange, it changes the tool (only in Mach) it really only changes a DRO or Register.

Meanwhile, the Cubloc VB toolchange code has been monitoring the DRO or Register in Mach for any changes. If a change is detected, it preforms its toolchange physically by means of running its VB script that triggers relays which trigger air solenoids/airmotor. The VB script also interprets the position sensors for the turret rotational position and the turret up or down sensor. Using the information from these sensors allows the VB script to raise, lower, rotate, etc.. into the correct tool position.

Also, The Mach toolchange macro requests a move to safe Z&X locations suitable for a toolchange.

All thats left is for the Cubloc to report to the Mach macro that the tool has changed to the requested position, and that the turret is locked down correctly. The Mach macro can then allow the Gcode to resume with the new tool and its appropriate offset. IF the Cubloc does not sucessfully change the tool, the Mach macro should recieve a fault signal from the cubloc which triggers Mach to go into Estop mode.

I think I understand it all now!

Each piece has its role, and these roles must be kept seperate in my mind and in reality if this toolchanger is going to be made to work.

NOW, I am awaiting a call from Garret at Cubloc (Comfile) to ask him to help me setup Modbus communication between Mach and the Cubloc.
__________________

Does it look like my understanding of how this all works together is correct?

123

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 toolchange for dummies???

« on: June 21, 2011, 11:35:21 AM »

Yup, that worked. Turns out I had the "plugin enabled" section checked.

I would try the plugin, but I cant find it anywhere...

Anyway, I will get back to work on this this afternoon. Thanks again Hood.

124

Modbus / Re: Where to DL ModIO Brain?

« on: June 20, 2011, 06:42:06 PM »

Sorry, should have called it a plugin.

Can anyone help? send me a copy?

natefoerg@gmail.com

125

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 toolchange for dummies???

« on: June 20, 2011, 06:24:39 PM »

Hood-

I cant find those settings anywhere. Are you running the Modio plugin?

Are you setup on tcp modbus or serial?

126

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 toolchange for dummies???

« on: June 19, 2011, 04:50:02 PM »

Well, after much reading and studying, I have the Cubloc triggering relays at least!

However, I cant do much until I get the Cubloc talking to Mach3. I followed Henriks guide to setting up modbus, but am still not sure if they are talking. I have been looking for the plugin "modio" but cant seem to find it available anywhere...

I personally dont care if it gets set up via the plugin or serial. I just want communication.

The videos that cover Modio, seem to only cover setup if you use the plugin, which I cant find.

Do you have a way to do a "hello world" type test to see if I have comm between the Cubloc and Mach3?

If you have it setup serial, can you recap your serial modbus settings?

Best,
Nate.

127

Modbus / Where to DL ModIO Brain?

« on: June 19, 2011, 04:14:34 PM »

I'm confused. I see this brain referenced all over, but cannot find it to download anywhere...

Anyone got a link?

128

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 toolchange for dummies???

« on: June 17, 2011, 10:22:42 AM »

I believe that the Cubloc is fully capable of ModBus communication. Thats how Vince set up his Mach-Cubloc communication.

129

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 toolchange for dummies???

« on: June 16, 2011, 10:44:50 PM »

Hey Hood. Good to see ya.

I'm told that the Cubloc can use VB script. Sadly, the guy who did this before me and had it all hashed out and working, cant provide me with the VB script he wrote. Seems that his computer that ran his machine took a turn for the worse and wont be resurected any time soon. I guess I have to start from scratch...

Here are my thoughts on how the tool changer (VB script) needs to work

Things I need the script/plc/mach to do


Solenoids-
Activate and deactivate turret solenoid. (activated is for up/rotate, deactivated is for down)
Activate and deactivate turret rotation braking solenoid.
Activate and deactivate turret stop solenoid.

Sensors-
Read and report current turret position.
Read and report status of turret up/down position.

Proposed order of operations for tool change request-

Request tool change to position 1-8.
Read turret rotational position, 1-8.
Read turret up/down position, up or down.
Report turret rotational position, 1-8.
Report turret up/down position, up or down.
If requested rotational position equals reported rotational position do nothing.
If requested up/down position equals down, do nothing.
If requested up/down position equals up, fault.
If requested rotational position is not equal to current rotational position, activate turret up/down/rotate solenoid.
When rotational position equals requested position 1 before requested position, activate braking solenoid.
When rotational position equals requested position, activate turret stop solenoid, deactivate turret up/down/rotate solenoid and deactivate turret braking solenoid.
Deactivate turret up/down/rotation solenoid.
Report turret rotational position, 1-8.
Report turret up/down position, up or down, if up, fault.



I wish their were a translator that could take the above and write it in VB!

130

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 toolchange for dummies???

« on: June 16, 2011, 03:16:18 PM »

Back in action here guys!

I have abandoned the stepper version of the tool changer and am reverting back to the factory configuration (more or less)

Please see this thread for an update-

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/hardinge_lathes/129658-chnc_turret_plc_conversion_log.html The post has lots of pictrures, and even some videos. I am not trying to pull readers from this forum, I am including this link so I dont have to rehash everything here.

I am however stepping back into this post in an effort to get my tool change Macro written, my VB script written and everything running through my new Cubloc Plc.

This is gonna be a steep learning curve...

Thanks for everyone who has helped out in this post over the last few months. I kind of dissapoeared, but please dont think I am ungrateful...