After retrofitting my CNC router with a new Mach 3 controller, I'm now trying to get a V24 post processor to match up. The router can be seen here, with a video of how it operates on the second page:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/csmio_...csmio_ip-.html
The machine is an industrial machine with multiple heads. It originally had a pair of piggy back drills, but I found they were not very useful due to a limited stroke (router they are on may interfere more often than not), so they have been omitted and there are now just two router heads. The heads are labeled "1" and "2", with corresponding M commands to lower each (M31 for head 1, M32 for head 2). Both heads can be used synchronized if they have the same tool and are calibrated to each other, in which case I call for tool three (as if one tool is in use) which generates command M33 that lowers both heads. M5 cancels all head (by raising them) in addition to stopping the spindle. Since it's not really a tool changer, I modified the post processor to use the tool number to determine which head is in use by the following entry in the post processor:
Tool change
n,spindle_off
n,"G0 Z0."
n_forced,"M3",list_tool_number
n,spindle_on,s
n,absolute_coord
n,rapid_move,force_x,xr,force_y,yr,rotary_xyr_angle
n,rapid_move
This works well, though the one problem I haven't solved is how to add a work coordinate specific to the head. The bolded line just adds the tool number (1 ,2, or 3) to the text "M3" create M31, M32, and M33, but the work coordinates are different in that they would be G54, G55, and G56. If there is a way to add 3 to each tool number, and add that to the end of "G5" in a similar manner to the M codes, it would be perfect. Is that possible? If so, what is the correct format for something like "list_tool_number+3"?
What is the difference between tool_number and tool register value? Can I use the option to add 3 to the tool number to create a tool register value? If so, can I then make a call to list the tool register value? I'm open to other ideas as to how to do this as well, these are just some thoughts on direction that seem like they might work if I know the format.
The other hurdle I've found is that there is a persistent Z "clearance plane" value set that I can't change when profiling or drilling, etc. It always is set at "2.540" (mm in my case), but the top of my Z stroke is "0". Is there a setting in Bobcad that automatically populates that field? If so, how do you change it?
Thanks for any help!
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/csmio_...csmio_ip-.html
The machine is an industrial machine with multiple heads. It originally had a pair of piggy back drills, but I found they were not very useful due to a limited stroke (router they are on may interfere more often than not), so they have been omitted and there are now just two router heads. The heads are labeled "1" and "2", with corresponding M commands to lower each (M31 for head 1, M32 for head 2). Both heads can be used synchronized if they have the same tool and are calibrated to each other, in which case I call for tool three (as if one tool is in use) which generates command M33 that lowers both heads. M5 cancels all head (by raising them) in addition to stopping the spindle. Since it's not really a tool changer, I modified the post processor to use the tool number to determine which head is in use by the following entry in the post processor:
Tool change
n,spindle_off
n,"G0 Z0."
n_forced,"M3",list_tool_number
n,spindle_on,s
n,absolute_coord
n,rapid_move,force_x,xr,force_y,yr,rotary_xyr_angle
n,rapid_move
This works well, though the one problem I haven't solved is how to add a work coordinate specific to the head. The bolded line just adds the tool number (1 ,2, or 3) to the text "M3" create M31, M32, and M33, but the work coordinates are different in that they would be G54, G55, and G56. If there is a way to add 3 to each tool number, and add that to the end of "G5" in a similar manner to the M codes, it would be perfect. Is that possible? If so, what is the correct format for something like "list_tool_number+3"?
What is the difference between tool_number and tool register value? Can I use the option to add 3 to the tool number to create a tool register value? If so, can I then make a call to list the tool register value? I'm open to other ideas as to how to do this as well, these are just some thoughts on direction that seem like they might work if I know the format.
The other hurdle I've found is that there is a persistent Z "clearance plane" value set that I can't change when profiling or drilling, etc. It always is set at "2.540" (mm in my case), but the top of my Z stroke is "0". Is there a setting in Bobcad that automatically populates that field? If so, how do you change it?
Thanks for any help!