I am using a lathe with a custom multi-head tool holder.
Mach has a nice system which lets me position each tool to the job, hit Touch X/Z, and set up the tool table. This works well.

However, when changing tools (T202 etc) in the program, I have to M3 after each tool change, So there is a very long delay while the chuck stops, and then spins up again.  So, questions:

Is there any way to tell the system to just change the tool table entry used and NOTHING else? ie, no long delays. (Yes, I know I have to clear the job first!)

Or, is there any way to set up work offsets automatically, tool table style? I could juts as easily flip work offsets for this job.

Thanks

Do you need to stop the spindle? Or are you using the option on General Config to Stop and Wait? If the latter then possibly  you could set to Auto Toolchange and in your M6Start macro you could just issue a feedhold or similar.
Hood

No, I don't need to stop anything. Just change the entry in the tool table being used for offsets.

I have the system configured to use the Auto-tool change option now, but it still stops the chuck when the program does a Tn command.
In fact, if it is using T2 and the program issues another T2 (for safety reasons and the program is modular), then it still stops the chuck.
I am using the stock M6Start mand M6End macros - they don't seem to do anything with the chuck.

Puzzling.

Cheers

In Turn only the m6start is used. Dont recall whats in the m6 start macro as standard as mine is a custom one.
My spindle never turns off unless I press stop or call m5.
Hood

In Turn only the m6start is used. Dont recall whats in the m6 start macro as standard as mine is a custom one.

M6Start:
  tool = GetSelectedTool()
  SetCurrentTool( tool )

My spindle never turns off unless I press stop or call m5.

Yeah - that is what I want! But I can't get it to happen. Very strange.

Cheers

Can you attach your xml, your tools3.dat and some code and I will see if I can simulate here and get the same issue.
Hood

Hi Hood

I will ... but I seem to have hung up the Forum SW with the attachments. Working ...

Cheers

The program

The 4-head unit

The XML