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Auto Tool Changer Help
« on: July 12, 2014, 09:59:26 AM »
I have just fitted an auto tool changer to my Orac lathe and got it to work manually.
I would like some advice on getting Mach to control it, the instructions that came with the tool changer show an input of +5v to activate and an output as status.
I assume I connect the +5v input to a pin on the breakout board and then config/ select a pin in port and pins? Not sure where to connect the status output and what GCode controls tool changers?
Thanks

Mike
Re: Auto Tool Changer Help
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2014, 06:36:16 PM »
Hi, Have a look at the post below for some ideas on how to control the Orac toolchanger


http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,455.msg3452/topicseen.html#msg3452
Re: Auto Tool Changer Help
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2014, 06:55:12 AM »
Thanks for reply my ATC is not an Orac original I bought it new on ebay it came with instructions as in my first post, there is a manual button on the ATC one touch turns the unit one station, so I assume one pulse of +5v from Mach would do the same?
So I don’t know if I need a macro, if I connect the input to a spare axis say A on the breakout board, config in ports and pins, then write Gcode  A1 would that activate the ATC?
Although I am well versed with CNC mill operations I have next zero experience with Mach Turn, so any advice would be welcome
Thanks
Mike

Offline Hood

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Re: Auto Tool Changer Help
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2014, 01:25:48 PM »
Do you have a link to the instructions or can you attach a scan?


Hood
Re: Auto Tool Changer Help
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2014, 05:03:44 AM »
Hood
Here are instructions, I have wired up the ATC and works manualy, just need Mach to contol!!

Thanks
Mike
Re: Auto Tool Changer Help
« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2014, 09:36:25 AM »
Hi Mike, I have an ORAC as well and was curious about your ebay ATC.  Got a link?
Milton from Tennessee ya'll.
Re: Auto Tool Changer Help
« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2014, 10:09:57 AM »
The tool changer was on ebay around two years ago a chap called Tony Willson was making them; I tried recently to contact him but no joy.
As you probably know the original Orac tool changers as rare as hens teeth and hence go for silly money when they come up for sale.
There have been several posts on CNC Zone where people have made their own changers, also on YouTube.

Mike
Re: Auto Tool Changer Help
« Reply #7 on: July 17, 2014, 04:40:52 AM »
Hood
I found this on the net, do you think it is appropriate for my tool changer or part of it?
Thanks

Mike

Offline mc

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Re: Auto Tool Changer Help
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2014, 01:11:07 PM »
First off, you'll need to wire in the tool changer, which will depend entirely on what spare input and output you have available, and if the TC will connect directly (those datasheets give no details about how much current is involved).

Then you'll need an M6start.m1s macro to handle the control.
Something along the following lines-
Code: [Select]
oldtool = GetCurrentTool() 'Get the current tool position
newtool = GetSelectedTool() 'Get the new tool position

'We'll do a bit sanity checking to ensure a valid tool has been requested
if newtool < 1 or newtool > 6 Then
DoOemButton(1003)
MsgBox"Tool call out of range"
End
End If

if oldtool = newtool Then 'if we've already got the requested tool loaded
End 'then we can quit this macro without doing anything
End If

'if we've made it this far, then we can actually make things move
While oldtool < newtool or oldtool > newtool ' while we're not at the correct tool
ActivateSignal(Output10) ' activate output to start move
Code "G4 P1" ' first half of the required delay
If not IsActive(Input10) ' if our input signal has not gone active, then we have a problem
DoOemButton(1003) ' so stop the current program
MsgBox"TC input status not changed" ' display an error message
End ' and end the macro
End If
Code "G4 P1" ' second part of delay now we know the TC is doing something
While IsActive(Input10) ' we now need to wait until the TC locks
Wend ' so sit in an endless loop while the Input is still active
If oldtool = 6 ' if oldtool is equal to 6
oldtool = 1 ' we need to loop over to 1
Else
oldtool = oldtool + 1 ' else just add one
End If
Wend

' when we finally get past the last while loop
SetCurrentTool(newtool) ' set the current tool to the new tool
End ' and finally quit this macro

I've just thrown this together, so can't guarantee it will work.
Couple points to note -
I've just used Input10 and Output10, which you'll need to change to whatever Input and Output you use.
I've assumed a 6 position tool changer that only turns in one direction (hence the while loop that continually runs while the new tool doesn't equal the old tool)
The only bit I'm not sure about is the oldtool = oldtool + 1, as I'm not sure if it'll work (it should do, but cypress basic has a few quirks and doesn't always follow more normal programming convention!)

Offline Hood

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Re: Auto Tool Changer Help
« Reply #9 on: July 18, 2014, 02:29:52 PM »
sorry been busy but looks like mc has you on the right track.
Hood