Carousel Type Tool Changer Question

[RJS100]

I am working out a few details on an ATC project and have two questions:

1. During a tool change, the carousel slides into position, rotates to the desired tool, the spindle drops down over the tool holder (TTS tool holder) with the drawbar Unclamped, drawbar clamps the tool, and the spindle moves up with the new tool. The shank of a TTS tool holder that fits inside the spindle is about 1.35 inches tall. Question: Is there any reason for the spindle to move up significantly higher than what is needed to clear the to of the shank of the tool holder?

Image: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/v2fqu4vw ... xy2gc&dl=0

2. My plan is to use the stock ATC PLC generated by the CNC12 wizard. If I need to adjust things like how high the spindle moves up, how do I locate the macros that control this function?

Thanks... Richard

[Chaz]

Macro for mill is the mfunc6.mac in the root of the install folder.

The 'home' location is defined in the setup menu, look at G28 etc. You can either use 'go home' or you can say 'go to z-10' - but thats in the m6 macro. I can share a copy of mine later tonight (UK time) for the Triac which is very customised (with carousel turns, pneumatic arms etc).

[Chaz]

Some of my code is here (not the complete macro). But this shows some of the positioning before tool change code.

";------------------------------------------------------------------------------
; Custom M6 Code
;------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N200
#101 = #4003 ;Save Positioning Mode
M109 /1/2 ;Disable Overrides
M5 ;Disable Spindle;
M9 ;Disable Coolant
M107 ;Send PLC Tool Number
G4 P.25
G30 G91 Z0 ;Move Z to tool change position
G90
M94 /7 ;Request Tool Change
;M101 /70014 ;Ensure Spindle at Zero Speed
;IF !#70013 THEN M19 ;Orient Spindle
;M101 /70013 ;Confirm Spindle Oriented
;M100 /70015 ;Confirm AirPressure
;IF #96050 == 0 THEN GOTO 650 ;Skip putback



;------------------------------------------------------------------------------
;Move Carousel in and Fetch Tool into ATC
;------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N225
M101 /50038 ;Ensure carousel at Putback Position - OK
M94 /65 ;Request Carousel in (OUTPUT5)
G4 P1
M101 /50037 ;Wait for Carousel In
G4 P1 ;Carousel debounce
M94 /67 ;Unclamp Tool (OUTPUT7)
;M15 ;Unclamp Tool
G4 P1 ;Unclamp Tool debounce
M94 /66 ;Carousel Drop (OUTPUT6)
G4 P.5 ;Carousel Drop debounce
M85 ;Carousel Out
G4 P.5 ;Carousel Out debounce
;------------------------------------------------------------------------------
;Code to determine Direction of Carousel
;------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"

[RJS100]

Thanks so much for taking the time to post this. Very much appreciated!