Messages

151

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: CONVERT HYDRULIC GRINDER

« on: May 20, 2021, 12:54:44 PM »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJlMbHJ6IPM
At 40 Seconds into this video you can see the custom screen that I made.

152

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: CONVERT HYDRULIC GRINDER

« on: May 20, 2021, 12:52:51 PM »

We have 2 cylindrical grinders that use to be hydraulic that are now CNC and 1 more in the works. 
We ripped out all the junk, mounted a ball screw to the traverse and grinding wheel travel, and added a control panel. 
Frequency drive on the spindle that rotates the part.  Didn't go with one for the grinding wheel, but that's an option. 
I also made a completely custom program to make it conversational; utilizing a completely custom screen and MacroB.
Very convenient for setting up new jobs quickly and making changes quickly. 
We also added an in process measuring device that integrated rather easily.

I'd be happy to assist further, just let me know what you're looking for.

153

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Interface with Industrial PLC (Ethernet or other options)

« on: May 20, 2021, 12:23:06 PM »

Steve,
So the command doesn't like two words in a name.  Click PLC doesn't work.  Click does.
So... I guess I'll just redo the entire modbus setup for the Click.  You guys should make a way to just rename a Modbus connection  
Is there a way to start, stop, and restart the entire modbus?  Like hitting the stop and play button on the modbus diagnostics screen?

154

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Use Tool Table for Tool Changes

« on: May 17, 2021, 01:15:27 PM »

If there is a section for tool info, it should tell you if there is an active H offset.  If there isn’t one, it says zero. Otherwise it should match the current tool.

Just use MDI.
G43 H(tool number)

155

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Use Tool Table for Tool Changes

« on: May 17, 2021, 12:55:16 PM »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tywAByswH2Q&t=31s

This will show you the offsets page and the "Set Z", "Set Tool", and the "Toggle Height Offset" buttons. 

I do not use the "Master Tool" method.  I use the machine table as my reference, not the work piece; this way, as long as I haven't changed my tool (or reused the tool number in Mach4) I can use the tool at a later time and know that it is touched off. 

Set each tool length by using the "Set Tool" button, use a Tool Setter or a Gage block to set your tools from the table, this will give you a consistent point to set your tools off to. 
Be sure to change your tool number before pressing "Set Tool", you don't want to overwrite something you've already touched off.  Just change the number in the tool number dro or do a tool change in MDI. 
Once all your tools are touched off and stored into the tool table, you can set your Z Work Offset.
Select a tool.  Be sure Mach4 knows what tool # you are using, then activate the tool height offset.  G43H# or just press the Toggle Height Offset. 
Touch the top of your part with the tool, then Press "Set Z"  If you're using a gage block or shim, be sure to put that in the DRO for the Gate Block Height. 

156

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Use Tool Table for Tool Changes

« on: May 17, 2021, 12:43:40 PM »

With the stock m6 you shouldn't have to do anything for the tool change.  It will sit there and wait for you to hit cycle start after the tool change is complete. (You change the tool)
What you need to do is call a G43 H# to activate your tool height offset.
The programming manual is actually really useful.  Give it a read on G43 and G49.  G49 will cancel tool length offset and G43 will turn it on.  You can also toggle it with a button on the offsets page. 
Watch your Z Dro when you set a tool length.  Toggle it on and off and you'll see it update to the tool's current position in relation to your work offset.
Also, very important.  When you set your Z Work Offset with a tool you have touched off.  Turn on the Tool Length Offset and then set your work offset. 

157

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Use Tool Table for Tool Changes

« on: May 17, 2021, 12:32:56 PM »

Yes.  I do this on a mill at work all the time. 
I have a tool setter that I use, but you can do this however you see fit. 
The offsets tab makes this pretty easy to do, there is a button to "Set Tool Offset".
Use a gage block or a tool setter to set your tools to a single surface, the machine table is a good place to set tools from. 

158

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Z axis always goes to the top

« on: May 17, 2021, 11:34:32 AM »

Have you set your Tool Offsets and your Z Work Offset?
Your program says it should only go 0.8" above your Z Work Offset.

159

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Tool Length Offset Macro Program

« on: May 10, 2021, 03:54:01 PM »

If you are using a tool setter probe, then this should get you closer to that. 
Once you probe your tools, then use any of the probed tools to set your Z Work Offset, make sure your tool height offset is active.
The "Offset" tab is a pretty awesome place for setting work offsets.
They put in a Gage Block Length and a Set Z Offset button that I use to set work offsets when I'm using Mach4.  I use a 2in tool setter to get my Z Work offset, so I would put 2.00 in the gage block DRO, make sure my Tool Height Offset was active (there is a toggle button in the top right of the Offset tab) and then press "Set Z".  So easy!

160

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Tool Length Offset Macro Program

« on: May 10, 2021, 03:30:30 PM »

The macro I put in the zipped folder is not LUA.  Using the program I put in the zipped folder, you’ll need to make sure the tool height offset is active when setting your z work offset. It doesn’t matter when you probe the tool. It only uses the machine coordinates to get the information it needs.