Messages

11

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: How to link external controller and tool number?

« on: July 28, 2022, 04:58:59 AM »

Thanks for the good advice.

Could you please share the M6 script?
I was thinking of an external Arduino that could handle it easily, because of the difficulties of the M6 script.

Control the motor to move the ATC to the replacement position and
Rotate the tool palette, replace it, move it back to the exchange standby position,
I have to do several programs.
Because I'm new to the M6 Lua script

ysy9999@gmail.com

why use external plc?
i use mach with pokeys , i use about 24-28 inputs  and about 50 outputs , i do all i need
 i use ATC with servo or without , and many other devices by the mach
in some cases when we have 2  or more axiss that need work in paralel i use 2 pc as master and slave
i cant think about any challenge cant implemet by mach ( many times need use external application but still all its conect to mach)
even RS485 absolute encoder to read the value i have c# application that run from mach
no need arduino , no need any external plc

12

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: How to link external controller and tool number?

« on: July 26, 2022, 10:27:10 PM »

Thanks for the advice ^^;

It depends on your setup.
On my Hurco, the PLC always know where the carousel it is due to the input combination for every position.

I have a lathe that has no index switch or home sensor for the turret. On Mach4 startup, I have a message box pop up asking for the current turret position, the user input updates the PLC counter.

The mill I’m currently working on has a tool 1 position sensor, so I home the carousel in my Reference All button and I also have a Carousel home button in case I need it otherwise.  The m6 Macro will tell me if the carousel isn’t home and will not run.  The PLC counter updates to “1” after the homing sequence.

13

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: How to link external controller and tool number?

« on: July 26, 2022, 08:38:25 PM »

I use the Click PLC from Automation Direct.  I get the Ethernet version so I can use TCP modbus.
I use the HiCON on everything now.  I’ve used the ESS smoothstepper before and I much prefer the HiCON.

I think I have laid out TCP modbus setup with the Click PLC somewhere on this forum. You can search for it.

I was debating whether to use the Hicon or the Smooth Stepper.

Your comments have been of great help!



Thank you. ~~

it was a big help


According to your idea, the Mach 4 will instruct the tool replacement and
Let's say the PLC completes all replacements within 10-15 seconds and sends the results back.

To replace the Mach 4 tool, you need the current tool number and the tool number to be replaced.

If it's set up normally, I don't think there's any problem with it working


My question is, when the PLC is newly powered on and Mach 4 is completely started, shouldn't the tool number of Mach 4 be transmitted to the PLC between the two systems?


Or, when Mach 4 is executed, do I have to manually align with the PLC by entering the current tool number correctly?

14

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: How to link external controller and tool number?

« on: July 26, 2022, 10:27:51 AM »

https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=34228.20

Here is a link to an old M6 I had done a while back.  I'll see if I can get the one of the machine I'm working on and post it here.
It is extremely more comprehensive.

Can I know the type and model of PLC you are using?
I want to buy it and test it.

I have a Hicon Integra 7866
It also has a smooth stepper.

I'm debating which one to use for my large mill CNC machine.

Based on your comments, I would like to try the PLC and MODBUS method.

As a Windows programmer, I have no difficulties with the program.
i just need to understand the platform (Mach 4).

15

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: How to link external controller and tool number?

« on: July 26, 2022, 09:45:20 AM »

Can I know the type and model of PLC you are using?
I want to buy it and test it.

I have a Hicon Integra 7866
It also has a smooth stepper.

I'm debating which one to use for my large mill CNC machine.

Based on your comments, I would like to try the PLC and MODBUS method.

As a Windows programmer, I have no difficulties with the program.
i just need to understand the platform (Mach 4).

16

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: How to link external controller and tool number?

« on: July 26, 2022, 09:39:31 AM »

Thanks for sharing a good source.

These will be of great help!!

17

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: How to link external controller and tool number?

« on: July 26, 2022, 09:31:49 AM »

I was inspired by your article

I am a fan of CNC.
I'm a Windows programmer, but I don't know much about Mach 4, so I don't know how to build an ATC.

Reading your post gave me a definite direction.
thank you !!

I think I can do something!

18

Mach4 General Discussion / How to link external controller and tool number?

« on: July 25, 2022, 11:09:16 PM »

 Please advise if I'm misunderstanding something.


I'm reviewing the m6 script sample and planning an ATC.

I'm trying to use an external controller (arduino) to do positioning and rotation of a tool.

Here are my basic ideas and questions.

1. To send tool change command to external controller (arduino), do I need to turn on IO in motion controller (Intgra 7866) to prepare my controller for tool rotation and replacement?

If I had 10 tools in this case, I would need 10 IOs, right?
If I have 30 tools, should I have 30 IOs?
This method is too inefficient. Any other good ways?
(Example: No. 4 io on -> No. 4 tool replacement command, No. 5 io on -> No. 5 tool replacement command…)

2. When the Mach 4 is first run, the tool number on the Mach 4 should match an empty tool slot on my Arduino controller.

(This ensures that the tool will fit into the empty slot when changing the tool.)

My question is, when Mach 4 is running, it reads the number of tools it currently has,
(my controller wants to pass the number of an empty slot to Mach)

I'm looking for a way to synchronize the tool number of an external arduino controller with the tool number on the first run of Mach 4.

Are there program samples (ATC) or tool replacements I can refer to?

 

19

General Mach Discussion / Solidcam 2022 post processor request Mach 4

« on: July 02, 2022, 10:26:10 AM »

I use Mach 4, is the post processor perfectly matched to Mach 4
(I use Solidworks 2022 ).

My product is made with a Chinese stepping motor,
The controller is an Ethernet Smooth Stepper.

I am struggling with the post process.
Please share a compatible post processor file

Thank you all.

20

Post Processors / Solidcam 2022 post processor request Mach 4

« on: July 01, 2022, 11:37:51 AM »

 
 If I use Mach 4, is the post processor perfectly matched to Mach 4 
(I use Solidworks 2022 ).

My product is made with a Chinese stepping motor,
The controller is an Ethernet Smooth Stepper.

I am struggling with the post process.
Please share a compatible post processor file

Thank you all.