Emco PC120 Turn

[Chaz]

Also. Does anyone know if the chuck (manual scroll, not the pneumatic one) is reversible? I tried to use the outer clamps (reversed) and it wont screw in.

[m_c]

Have a read of the Mach3 turn manual, as it explains tool offsets pretty well.
The one thing I will say, is they're far easier to handle if you have accurate homing on the X-axis (Z axis is less critical as you can just bump of the end of the stock).

With mach3 you want to be using the Txxyy format, where xx is the tool position, and yy is the tool offset to use. It's meant for turret setups where you swap tools in each position.

[Chaz]

Have a read of the Mach3 turn manual, as it explains tool offsets pretty well.
The one thing I will say, is they're far easier to handle if you have accurate homing on the X-axis (Z axis is less critical as you can just bump of the end of the stock).

With mach3 you want to be using the Txxyy format, where xx is the tool position, and yy is the tool offset to use. It's meant for turret setups where you swap tools in each position.

Thanks. I did read through the manual today. So fairly confident I understand although Ill play a bit later and see. I dont have many 12mm tools that are suitable but just 2 will prove the principle.

The machine has proximity sensors, so I think reasonable accurate (hoping).

So T101 is tool 1 using offset 1? Is the offset captured in the tool table?

[m_c]

I always used 4 digits T0101 for clarity, but yes that will command the turret to position 1, and load tool offsets 1 from the tool table. It's the same as using T01, but I always preferred the 4 digit version for consistency.

[Chaz]

I always used 4 digits T0101 for clarity, but yes that will command the turret to position 1, and load tool offsets 1 from the tool table. It's the same as using T01, but I always preferred the 4 digit version for consistency.

Great, thanks.

[Neale]

Also. Does anyone know if the chuck (manual scroll, not the pneumatic one) is reversible? I tried to use the outer clamps (reversed) and it wont screw in.

Not absolutely sure without seeing it but usually a 3-jaw (or 4-jaw, although they are much less common) self-centring chuck needs separate inside and outside jaws; 4-jaw independent chucks let you reverse the jaws.

[Chaz]

Not absolutely sure without seeing it but usually a 3-jaw (or 4-jaw, although they are much less common) self-centring chuck needs separate inside and outside jaws; 4-jaw independent chucks let you reverse the jaws.

Thanks. On other lathes / chucks Ive had, Ive always been able to reverse them. Odd, if it has a 'backwards grip' Id think it likely.

[magicniner]

Thanks.Odd, if it has a 'backwards grip' Id think it likely.

The smaller diameter range non-reversible jaw set on self centring chucks still have steps on the outside for gripping the inside of cylindrical work, it's more common on smaller chucks that just one reversible set is supplied.

A quick and easy way to check is that the teeth which engage the scroll will have symmetrical inner and outer faces if the jaws are reversible,

- Nick

[Chaz]

The smaller diameter range non-reversible jaw set on self centring chucks still have steps on the outside for gripping the inside of cylindrical work, it's more common on smaller chucks that just one reversible set is supplied.

A quick and easy way to check is that the teeth which engage the scroll will have symmetrical inner and outer faces if the jaws are reversible,

- Nick

Thanks. I dont think this one is reversible. Pity, I need around 100mm and only have 85 or so.

ATC works. Got an idea how to do offsets but not sure how you 'centre' a drill.

The spindle is being given controls via RS485. It doesnt work on power up. Enable the plugin for the VFD, it works but trips (kicks out reset on software). Then disable the VFD plugin, it works without a problem. That said, it spins the wrong way initially then the correct way. The speed inputs also dont seem to work well. Might need to reset this setup and start again.

Any thoughts?

[m_c]

ATC works. Got an idea how to do offsets but not sure how you 'centre' a drill.

DTI, jog buttons, then use the tool setup page to set the measured X dimension to zero and update the tool offsets.

The spindle is being given controls via RS485. It doesnt work on power up. Enable the plugin for the VFD, it works but trips (kicks out reset on software). Then disable the VFD plugin, it works without a problem. That said, it spins the wrong way initially then the correct way. The speed inputs also dont seem to work well. Might need to reset this setup and start again.

Any thoughts?

Modbus is the most consistent way to set spindle speed, however it sounds like there may be a bug or two in the scripting. Probably best to post over on the mach forum, as I've never used Modbus directly with Mach.