Lathe ATC Easier Macro?

[PeterC]

I have a 8 position ATC that I have set up and working moving to all positions using MDI commands Axxx where x = tool number X45. I down loaded the latest macros for axis driven cnctch.mac, mfunc21.mac, etc.
The macros do not work with my setup because I have a 3rd axis (A) set up as rotary and turns/rev is not set up 1:1. Trying to use a simpler cnctch.mac that would work something like this:

;#4120 = requested tool
;#102 = Calculated Requested Turret Position.

IF #4120 = 1 THEN #102 = 0 ; Tool 1 position = 0
IF #4120 - 2 THEN #102 = 45 ; Tool 2 position - 45
If #4120 = 3 THEN #102 = 90 ; Tool 3 position = 90
; etc. all the way thru tool #8
G53 A#102

or an alternative:
IF #4120 = 0 THEN A0
IF #4120 = 1 THEN A45

Seems like this would be easier than trying to configure the ATC to work 1:1 as my ATC is a 33.333:1

[martyscncgarage]

I have a 8 position ATC that I have set up and working moving to all positions using MDI commands Axxx where x = tool number X45. I down loaded the latest macros for axis driven cnctch.mac, mfunc21.mac, etc.
The macros do not work with my setup because I have a 3rd axis (A) set up as rotary and turns/rev is not set up 1:1. Trying to use a simpler cnctch.mac that would work something like this:

;#4120 = requested tool
;#102 = Calculated Requested Turret Position.

IF #4120 = 1 THEN #102 = 0 ; Tool 1 position = 0
IF #4120 - 2 THEN #102 = 45 ; Tool 2 position - 45
If #4120 = 3 THEN #102 = 90 ; Tool 3 position = 90
; etc. all the way thru tool #8
G53 A#102

or an alternative:
IF #4120 = 0 THEN A0
IF #4120 = 1 THEN A45

Seems like this would be easier than trying to configure the ATC to work 1:1 as my ATC is a 33.333:1

Take the time to post pictures of your turret and explain exactly how it works.
Can't help unless we fully understand how it functions.
Do you have a sensor to tell the control tool 1 position? Do you have sensors to confirm to the control when it is at the correct tool? Is it uni directional? Bi-directional? What locks the tool in position? etc.....

[PeterC]

Marty,
The ATC is the Dave Decaussin built that I bought from you on ebay. Been using it without problems manually inputting MDI commands to index and change tool number.
Don't have the sensor wired in yet but likely will not use it as it trips between tools and is not on when a tool is in position.
The ATC has an air cylinder that locks the turret and don't have the output wired in yet. Have the turret working bi-directional and leave it at a tool position when powering off the tool. Powering on the tool (no homing) if indexer is not at tool #1 just move the number of tools places needed x45 deg., set A axis position = 0 and tool = tool 1.

[martyscncgarage]

Marty,
The ATC is the Dave Decaussin built that I bought from you on ebay. Been using it without problems manually inputting MDI commands to index and change tool number.
Don't have the sensor wired in yet but likely will not use it as it trips between tools and is not on when a tool is in position.
The ATC has an air cylinder that locks the turret and don't have the output wired in yet. Have the turret working bi-directional and leave it at a tool position when powering off the tool. Powering on the tool (no homing) if indexer is not at tool #1 just move the number of tools places needed x45 deg., set A axis position = 0 and tool = tool 1.

OK, now I understand. Have you looked at the 4.50 universal Lathe Axis Driven Turret Instructions?

You should open up the back of the turret and fix the Tool 1 position microswitch.
Since it has a pneumatic solenoid to lock and unlock the turret, You only need one output to do that

Sequence of events.
Home machine, homes axis and homes the turret to tool 1
Tool change
Output fires the solenoid to unlock the turret
Axis rotates to desired tool position
Output releases the solenoid to lock the turret.
You need a timer since the control doesn't know how long the turret lock unlock time takes.

Are these reasonable assumptions?

Marty

[PeterC]

Got it working. Had to remove the lines on cnctch.mac
G53 A[#102 + 0.5]
G53 A[#102 - 0.5]

and replace with
IF #4120 == 1 THEN G53 A0
IF #4120 == 2 THEN G53 A45
IF #4120 == 3 THEN G53 A90
IF #4120 == 4 THEN G53 A135
IF #4120 == 5 THEN G53 A180
IF #4120 == 6 THEN G53 A225
IF #4120 == 7 THEN G53 A270
IF #4120 == 8 THEN G53 A315

Still need to wire in the solenoid and program but should not be a problem. Will eventually change stepper motor with one my company makes with an encoder and output an error when not in position after index.

[martyscncgarage]

You should be able to fire the solenoid output from within the Macro

[wswells]

Marty,
I also purchased a FADEL turret from you, I have not finished my build yet, but in setting up the lathe slides and tool plate for building the headstock riser, I've played with the turett. I needed to be able to lock the turret to measure exact tool center. I also found the same issue about the home or number one tool switch. It appears that when the stepper moves counter clockwise from rear shaft view which moves the turret clockwise from the rear shaft view, on rotation the switch opens at 22.5 degrees before tool #1 lock position and then hits the other side of the flat and closes again slightly before it reachs the 45 degree #1 tool position. Could'nt I use this known input singal in the turret home macro to slow down and move 22.5 degrees CCW and if the same imput is now high, lock the turret and set as #1 tool position?

Steve

[martyscncgarage]

Marty,
I also purchased a FADEL turret from you, I have not finished my build yet, but in setting up the lathe slides and tool plate for building the headstock riser, I've played with the turett. I needed to be able to lock the turret to measure exact tool center. I also found the same issue about the home or number one tool switch. It appears that when the stepper moves counter clockwise from rear shaft view which moves the turret clockwise from the rear shaft view, on rotation the switch opens at 22.5 degrees before tool #1 lock position and then hits the other side of the flat and closes again slightly before it reachs the 45 degree #1 tool position. Could'nt I use this known input singal in the turret home macro to slow down and move 22.5 degrees CCW and if the same imput is now high, lock the turret and set as #1 tool position?

Steve

Steve, I never played with the turrets. I do remember they were rear mounted turrets and there is a switch inside that is supposed to trigger tool 1. I do not know if that microswitch is adjustable or not or how it is tripped.
Then of course there is the air supply that locks and unlocks the turret.

[wswells]

Marty,
I believe I have resolved the issue, at least enough to move on with the build, and use PeterC's Tool logic in degrees,
and give bi-directional fast moves.
The Fedec TC10 turret's appear to be early proto types, with one home switch installed.
I removed the rear cover, removed the switch, reinstalled the cover and spotted the number one tool position
on the spindle shaft. Recut the flat and made a new longer switch pin that better fit the bore and had less chamfer.
The Switch is a N/O but stays closed on the shaft until the flat lets it open. I allowed the new flat to open the switch
at approximately 5 degrees before number one tool. The turret will lock in this position with the locking pins being tapered.
This will give the turret a few degrees of software adjustment before the final call to fire the air solenoid to lock.
And I'm still working on building, so I think this is a good stopping point untill I actually have the system up and running,
and I'm ready for testing movement, alignment and saftey.
I'll add the lock/unlock switchs at that point to the back of the plate with a plunger added to the rear shaft to read the limits.

A few photos for your files, and thanks for this group, its a great resource for myself and I'm sure many others.
It's an interesting designed turret, I'll probably build another one on the new cnc lathe eventually, using this design in all steel with a servo motor.

[wswells]

Well...I found the attachment tab finally...lol