Mach 3 Tool Change Location Help?

[Premiumcamper]

Hello Guys,

I am after a bit of guidance regarding the tool change location function within MACH 3.

I have configured my Auto Tool Zero and it is running lovely however I am unsure how to set up a certain location where it will go to before it does every tool change?

If someone would be able to help me with this it would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Tim

[m_c]

You need to modify the M6start and M6end macros.

I've not used Mach 3 for a few years, so it'll probably be better searching over on the mach forums.

[Neale]

The gcode you need is G28. This takes the machine to s predefined position, which could be your tool change position. You set the position (using machine coordinates) in one of the Mach3 configuration screens, although I can't remember which one off the top of my head. As m_c says, you can then incorporate this code into your M6start macro so that as part of the tool change operation, the machine will go to the tool change position. On my machine, I also have a fixed touch plate set into the bed at this point so I can do a "second operation" tool height setting without having to jog the tool again. When you hit "run" the M6end macro is called which by default takes the machine back to where it was when the m6 tool change started.

[Premiumcamper]

The gcode you need is G28. This takes the machine to s predefined position, which could be your tool change position. You set the position (using machine coordinates) in one of the Mach3 configuration screens, although I can't remember which one off the top of my head. As m_c says, you can then incorporate this code into your M6start macro so that as part of the tool change operation, the machine will go to the tool change position. On my machine, I also have a fixed touch plate set into the bed at this point so I can do a "second operation" tool height setting without having to jog the tool again. When you hit "run" the M6end macro is called which by default takes the machine back to where it was when the m6 tool change started.

I thought it was as easy as adding some more vbscript into my Auto Tool Zero script already? Would this work OR does it have to be done within the M6START & END Macro?

Tim

[Neale]

Can you explain exactly what you are trying to do? Everyone has their own way of working and I'm not quite sure what you're looking for.

For example, my tool change code moves the tool to tool change position, waits until I hit Run, then goes back to where it started and carries on. While the tool is at the tool change position, I can choose to use one of the tool-height setting options I have written or not - they are not built-in to the tool-change macros themselves. That suits the way I work, but might not be right for everyone.

[Premiumcamper]

Neale,

When I'm running our GCODE to produce one of our units it had four cuts in total. I would like it to go to a certain position WHEN a tool change it needed then I press auto tool zero it hits my wireless probe (Which will be in a fixed location) zero's its self out and then returns to the next cutting position.

Hope this makes sense to you! :D

Tim

[Atila]

Hi
I want to enable automatic tool change in Mach3 but I do not know how and where to start
Can you help me?

[Neale]

Personally, I would start with googling for "mach3 auto tool change macros"! That should give you some ideas.

BUT - every machine is different, so needs different macros. Do you have a carousel or tool rack? Fixed or moving rack? Auto draw bar - how is it controlled? What are the locking mechanisms on a carousel? And that's just for starters. What motion controller are you using? How many inputs/outputs? Does it have PLC capability?

This is non-trivial. Not necessarily difficult if you understand all the bits - mechanical, electronics, software - but a whole different ball game compared to the tool height setting macro that was the original topic.

Good luck...