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11

General Mach Discussion / DRO Question! :D

« on: June 30, 2015, 08:52:08 PM »

Hi, If I am running a VB script to change tools, what do I put in to update the tool number dro to the selected tool?

I can get the tool changer to work but I put a DRO on the screen, OEM code 824, what code do I insert before the end to update the tool number?

If GetSelectedTool() = GetCurrentTool() Then
End
End If

If GetSelectedTool = 1 Then
ActivateSignal(OutPut2)
Sleep 500
Code "G53 G0 A0"
Code "G53 G0 A-5" W
hile IsMoving()
Wend
DeActivateSignal(OutPut2)
End If

THANK YOU!!!!!!

12

Mach Screens / Mach 3 lathe with tool changer, problem

« on: June 29, 2015, 01:56:15 PM »

hello everyone, I have Mach 3 lathe, and I am trying to run the tool changer as the A axis, yet I can't get it to work in mach 3 lathe, I can get it to work in mach 3 mill fine.

When I try to job the A axis in mach 3 lathe nothing happens, but if I try to job it kn mach 3 mI'll it's jobs fine.

Am I missing something?

I have the ports and pins the same, a axis is enabled it mach 3 lathe, I do not have a dro set up in the screen, or a tool change number set up yet but will work on that once it moves properly,

Any help would be appreciated!!

13

General Mach Discussion / CNC plasma setup help :)

« on: May 18, 2015, 02:59:27 PM »

Hello everyone!

I am having some issues setting up my cnc plasma cutter.

1) I use sheetcam and post process it with mach 3. The challenge is how do I set up the auto tool touch off for each pierce and start? For example start program, goto where z- to start cut would be, go down z- till input 1 is closed (or receives 5v, its a limit switch). then lift off plate when input 1 is open (no longer triggered) reset DRO z to 0, and then continue with the gcode (i am assuming the piercing hieght will be used from the gcode that i set within sheetcam).

2) I have a proma thc coming in soon. how do I set the parameters in mach3 to use this effectively?

Thank you so much everyone!

14

General Mach Discussion / Can you run cnc plasma cutter with a 24vdc Z axis motor for THC?

« on: May 14, 2015, 10:42:39 AM »

Hello everyone!

I just picked up a cnc plasma cutter that needs a new control, but I have one question about the THC. I am very familiar with wiring and can easily wire the rest of the machine.

The Torch Height Contol has a 24vdc motor for moving the z axis up and down, it is not a stepper motor. Can I use this with mach 3 for the THC? I am not sure how to set up the configurations either.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

15

VB and the development of wizards / CNC KNEE MILL ATC HELP!

« on: February 07, 2015, 08:21:52 AM »

Hello, I am retrofitting a cnc knee mill with a tool changer that has some kind of switched logic, can anyone help me figure it out?

It is basically like a rotary encoder with logic from the switched that indicate tool position, there are 24 tools...

here is a small video I made https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsBAYHpI6es

thanks for any help!

16

Mach Screens / How to make a popup when a button is selected?

« on: March 22, 2014, 04:41:08 PM »

Hello,

Can anyone help me make an onscreen button pop up a message? Once you hit OK then the box will disappear?

I just need the VB script to say "Make sure Turret UP button is pressed before homing turret!"

Thank you!

Mike

17

VB and the development of wizards / Custom home button for tool changer!

« on: March 22, 2014, 03:36:58 PM »

Huh

Hello Everyone!

I am an need of a button to home my tool changer to a limit switch.

The steps are as follows:

1. Activate output 1 (lift turret)
2. Run A axis until it sees the home switch,
3. Do the double touch off for setting home.
4. Change the A position DRO to 0
5. Change the current tool DRO to tool 1 or "1"
6. Deactivate output 1 (drop turret)

This is a custom home macro for when and if the tool turret ever misses steps, or misaligns...Having this will allow the operator to easily reset the turret to tool one incase a crash during tool change, or a mechanical hiccup.

I REALLY APPRECIATE ANY HELP! I will be posting the completed screen sets to the forum.

P.S. this is for an 8 position servo/stepper driven cnc lathe with an air valve that lifts, and servo/stepper that indexes to a degree (tool position) then locks and continues the program...

Thanks

Mike Wink

18

Mach Screens / Help with custom home button macro! :)

« on: March 22, 2014, 03:33:07 PM »

Hello Everyone!

I am an need of a button to home my tool changer to a limit switch.

The steps are as follows:

1. Activate output 1 (lift turret)
2. Run A axis until it sees the home switch,
3. Do the double touch off for setting home.
4. Change the A position DRO to 0
5. Change the current tool DRO to tool 1 or "1"
6. Deactivate output 1 (drop turret)

This is a custom home macro for when and if the tool turret ever misses steps, or misaligns...Having this will allow the operator to easily reset the turret to tool one incase a crash during tool change, or a mechanical hiccup.

I REALLY APPRECIATE ANY HELP! I will be posting the completed screen sets to the forum.

P.S. this is for an 8 position servo/stepper driven cnc lathe with an air valve that lifts, and servo/stepper that indexes to a degree (tool position) then locks and continues the program...

Thanks

Mike

19

Mach Screens / G-Code tool change buttons?

« on: March 22, 2014, 12:00:19 PM »

Hello everyone, can anyone provide me an example of how I can set up buttons on one of my screens that will execute the tool change commands t0101, t0202, t0303, etc etc. for a lathe?

I have the buttons on the screen but don't know how to link them to the mdi line for gcode commands.

I would like to click TOOL 1 button on the screen, and it would execute the gcode/mdi command t0101

TOOL 2 button = t0202 command etc

Any Help?

I really appreciate it

Thank you,

Mike

20

General Mach Discussion / Can anyone help me mach this work?

« on: November 17, 2013, 11:27:02 AM »

Hello, I am working with a friend on trying to make the ATC lathe tool changer work, but it keeps giving me a compile error. Any help?
This is for my CHNC II SP Hardinge. Any Help would be awesome!!!!

'Macro M6Start ATC turret
Sub MovePos(ByVal ToolNumber As Integer)

OldTool = GetCurrentTool()
NewTool = GetSelectedTool()
TCtime = 0

ToolNumber = NewTool

If NewTool = OldTool Then
Message" Same Tool, NO ACTION"
End
**MOBILE CODE**

If NewTool > 8 Or NewTool < 1 Then
MsgBox" Tool # not a valid Number 1-10 ONLY, ENDING Program RUN "
DoButton(3)
End
**MOBILE CODE**

Xx = "-0.2" 'Tool Change position X
Zz = "-0.2" 'Tool Change Position Z

'******************************

Code"G00"
Code "G53 X" & Xx
Code "G53 Z" & Zz
While IsMoving()
Wend

ActivateSignal(OutPut1) 'Deactivate Lathe Stop Dog
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message"Deactivate Lathe Stop Dog"
Sleep(1000) ' Wait 1 sec for activation

ActivateSignal(OutPut2) 'Pop up lathe turret
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message"Disengage Turret"
Sleep(1000) 'Wait 1 sec for activation

Select Case ToolNumber 'Position to each tool number by input signal

Case = 1
Do While Not Isactive(OemTrigger1)
ActivateSignal(Output3) 'Start Air Drive
Message" Start Air Drive"
TCtime = (TCtime +1)
Sleep(1000)
If TCtime > 10 Then
Message" Tool Changer Timed Out, sequence ending"
End
**MOBILE CODE**
Loop

DeactivateSignal(output1) 'Stop Turret
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message"Stop Turret"
Sleep(1000)
DeactivateSignal(OutPut3) 'Stop Air Drive
While Ismovng
Wend
Message"Stop Air Drive"
Sleep(1000)
DeactivateSignal(Output2) 'Lower Turret to lock the tool
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message "Engage Turret"
Sleep(1000) 'Wait 1 sec for activation

Case = 2
Do While Not Isactive(OemTrigger2)
ActivateSignal(Output3) 'Start Air Drive
Message" Start Air Drive"
TCtime = (TCtime+1)
Sleep(1000)
If TCtime > 10 Then
Message" Tool Changer Timed Out, sequence ending"
End
**MOBILE CODE**

Loop

DeactivateSignal(output1) 'Stop Turret
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message"Stop Turret"
Sleep(1000)
DeactivateSignal(OutPut3) 'Stop Air Drive
While Ismovng
Wend
Message"Stop Air Drive"
Sleep(1000)
DeactivateSignal(Output2) 'Lower Turret to lock the tool
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message "Engage Turret"
Sleep(1000) 'Wait 1 sec for activation

Case = 3
Do While Not Isactive(OemTrigger3)
ActivateSignal(Output3) 'Start Air Drive
Message" Start Air Drive"
TCtime = (TCtime+1)
Sleep(1000)
If TCtime > 10 Then
Message" Tool Changer Timed Out, sequence ending"
End
**MOBILE CODE**

Loop

DeactivateSignal(output1) 'Stop Turret
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message"Stop Turret"
Sleep(1000)
DeactivateSignal(OutPut3) 'Stop Air Drive
While Ismovng
Wend
Message"Stop Air Drive"
Sleep(1000)
DeactivateSignal(Output2) 'Lower Turret to lock the tool
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message "Engage Turret"
Sleep(1000) 'Wait 1 sec for activation

Case = 4
Do While Not Isactive(OemTrigger4)
ActivateSignal(Output3) 'Start Air Drive
Message" Start Air Drive"
TCtime = (TCtime+1)
Sleep(1000)
If TCtime > 10 Then
Message" Tool Changer Timed Out, sequence ending"
End
**MOBILE CODE**

Loop

DeactivateSignal(output1) 'Stop Turret
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message"Stop Turret"
Sleep(1000)
DeactivateSignal(OutPut3) 'Stop Air Drive
While Ismovng
Wend
Message"Stop Air Drive"
Sleep(1000)
DeactivateSignal(Output2) 'Lower Turret to lock the tool
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message "Engage Turret"
Sleep(1000) 'Wait 1 sec for activation

Case = 5
Do While Not Isactive(OemTrigger5)
ActivateSignal(Output3) 'Start Air Drive
Message" Start Air Drive"
TCtime = (TCtime+1)
Sleep(1000)
If TCtime > 10 Then
Message" Tool Changer Timed Out, sequence ending"
End
**MOBILE CODE**

Loop

DeactivateSignal(output1) 'Stop Turret
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message"Stop Turret"
Sleep(1000)
DeactivateSignal(OutPut3) 'Stop Air Drive
While Ismovng
Wend
Message"Stop Air Drive"
Sleep(1000)
DeactivateSignal(Output2) 'Lower Turret to lock the tool
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message "Engage Turret"
Sleep(1000) 'Wait 1 sec for activation

Case = 6
Do While Not Isactive(OemTrigger6)
ActivateSignal(Output3) 'Start Air Drive
Message" Start Air Drive"
TCtime = (TCtime+1)
Sleep(1000)
If TCtime > 10 Then
Message" Tool Changer Timed Out, sequence ending"
End
**MOBILE CODE**
Loop

DeactivateSignal(output1) 'Stop Turret
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message"Stop Turret"
Sleep(1000)
DeactivateSignal(OutPut3) 'Stop Air Drive
While Ismovng
Wend
Message"Stop Air Drive"
Sleep(1000)
DeactivateSignal(Output2) 'Lower Turret to lock the tool
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message "Engage Turret"
'Wait 1 sec for activation

Case = 7
Do While Not Isactive(OemTrigger7)
ActivateSignal(Output3) 'Start Air Drive
Message" Start Air Drive"
TCtime = (TCtime+1)
Sleep(1000)
If TCtime > 10 Then
Message" Tool Changer Timed Out, sequence ending"
End
**MOBILE CODE**
Loop

DeactivateSignal(output1) 'Stop Turret
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message"Stop Turret"
Sleep(1000)
DeactivateSignal(OutPut3) 'Stop Air Drive
While Ismovng
Wend
Message"Stop Air Drive"
Sleep(1000)
DeactivateSignal(Output2) 'Lower Turret to lock the tool
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message "Engage Turret"
'Wait 1 sec for activation

Case = 8
Do While Not Isactive(OemTrigger8)
ActivateSignal(Output3) 'Start Air Drive
Message" Start Air Drive"
TCtime = (TCtime+1)
Sleep(1000)
If TCtime > 10 Then
Message" Tool Changer Timed Out, sequence ending"
End
**MOBILE CODE**

Loop

DeactivateSignal(output1) 'Stop Turret
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message"Stop Turret"
Sleep(1000)
DeactivateSignal(OutPut3) 'Stop Air Drive
While Ismovng
Wend
Message"Stop Air Drive"
Sleep(1000)
DeactivateSignal(Output2) 'Lower Turret to lock the tool
While Ismoving()
Wend
Message "Engage Turret"
Sleep(1000) 'Wait 1 sec for activation

End Select

SetOemDro(824,NewTool)

End Sub

End

Topics - mike^3