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Author Topic: Can Mach 3 run....  (Read 6657 times)

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vintageracer

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Can Mach 3 run....
« on: October 11, 2008, 03:22:37 PM »
Is it possible for Mach 3 to run two breakout boards with three or four drives on each board?
Not all axis will be running at the same time, at most I'd say four at once.

Timothy
« Last Edit: October 11, 2008, 03:55:33 PM by vintageracer »

Offline Hood

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Re: Can Mach 3 run....
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2008, 03:26:47 PM »
You can use up to six axis and it doesnt matter which port you have them on. Could be quite a few reasons you are having problems such as power supply not being sufficient or even faulty breakout boards. Give us more info such as the hardware you have and how you have them connected.
Hood

vintageracer

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Re: Can Mach 3 run....
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2008, 03:59:10 PM »
I don't have it running yet.
I just thought of the idea this afternoon.
Instead of using a PLC and a modbus to run the ATC, I could just assign three drives (two servos and one stepper) to the three axis (A,B and C) and operate the ATC with G code or a macro.
The 7th drive is for a 4th axis rotary table, but I can skip that if I can get the tool changer working this way.

Timothy

Offline Hood

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Re: Can Mach 3 run....
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2008, 04:03:51 PM »
Ah sorry, should read better, thought you were saying not all axis will run at the same time meaning you are having problems :(

Why do you need three axis for a tool changer? could you not use air solenoids or similar? just seems a waste of axis.

Hood

vintageracer

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Re: Can Mach 3 run....
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2008, 04:15:39 PM »
Everything is already in place.
I didn't want to reinvent the wheel, just wanted new electronics.

Soild machine, goofy code.

Timothy



« Last Edit: December 05, 2008, 10:25:24 PM by vintageracer »

Offline Hood

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Re: Can Mach 3 run....
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2008, 04:19:08 PM »
Got any closeup pics of the changer? I am going to be making one for my Beaver mill at some point and am just looking at all different ways at the moment before I decide on a design. My rotation will be taken care of by an indexing servo drive so dont have to worry about using an axis for that.

Hood

vintageracer

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Re: Can Mach 3 run....
« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2008, 04:31:07 PM »
The arm AC motor, moves it in and out with position sensors at both ends.



The carousel is operated by a stepper through a worm drive with a home position sensor.



And the tool release is operated by an AC motor, like the ATC arm, and a reduction gear.



Timothy
« Last Edit: December 05, 2008, 10:29:01 PM by vintageracer »

Offline Hood

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Re: Can Mach 3 run....
« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2008, 04:36:04 PM »
Thanks. also when you say tool release are you meaning from the spindle or carousel?
Hood

vintageracer

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Re: Can Mach 3 run....
« Reply #8 on: October 11, 2008, 05:14:56 PM »
From the spindle.
The plunger on the bottom of the tool release gearbox operates the retaining fork that holds onto the retention knob.
The lever you see in pic 3 triggers the position sensors and opens the air valve to pop out the tool.

Timothy

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Re: Can Mach 3 run....
« Reply #9 on: October 11, 2008, 05:19:59 PM »
Ah ok, seems a rather complex setup, but if it works then thats al that matters :)
 Mine has a conventional drawbar with belville washers and hydraulic cylinder.

Hood