That sounds like a great setup. I'd like to know more about how you set the first Z0, and how you (the macro) manages subsequent tool changes. Are you using a standardized tool length for the first Z0? The key being how the fixed TTO height and part height are used to calculate the new Z0.
I thought you'd be interested. On manual tool change machines this setup is a must in my opinion. Once you use it you'll wonder why you did it any other way.
The way the generic macros work (example found on the forum) is that once you start the job it asks you to put the first tool in the spindle and do a manual tool touch off with your movable TTO. This sets your Z0. Then with that tool touched off it moves to the fixed TTO to measure it and store the offset in a variable. On the next tool change you simply insert the new tool and press cycle start. The macros found on the forum have menus in them to guide you along. It them moves to the fixed TTO, touches off and corrects the Z0 location by adding or subtracting the offset from the previous tool depending on if its longer or shorter.
Every machine is different so you can edit the macros found here on the forum to do what you want. I edited out nearly all the questions the macros ask as I simply want it to go measure and start cutting. I have added a few variables and twists that are specific to my machine.
Hopefully this makes sense.
Here's the link to this topic discussed on the forum, it's LONG and full of sample macros. Good luck.
ShawnM wrote: ↑Mon Dec 02, 2024 1:37 pm
I thought you'd be interested. On manual tool change machines this setup is a must in my opinion. Once you use it you'll wonder why you did it any other way.
The way the generic macros work (example found on the forum) is that once you start the job it asks you to put the first tool in the spindle and do a manual tool touch off with your movable TTO. This sets your Z0. Then with that tool touched off it moves to the fixed TTO to measure it and store the offset in a variable. On the next tool change you simply insert the new tool and press cycle start. The macros found on the forum have menus in them to guide you along. It them moves to the fixed TTO, touches off and corrects the Z0 location by adding or subtracting the offset from the previous tool depending on if its longer or shorter.
Every machine is different so you can edit the macros found here on the forum to do what you want. I edited out nearly all the questions the macros ask as I simply want it to go measure and start cutting. I have added a few variables and twists that are specific to my machine.
Hopefully this makes sense.
Here's the link to this topic discussed on the forum, it's LONG and full of sample macros. Good luck.
mikes wrote: ↑Mon Dec 02, 2024 9:28 pm
I see, the key being that it measures the first tool using both the moveable and fixed touch off device. Thanks...
Yes, it sets Z0 and then measures the tool offset from Z reference (Z home) and stores that value so it can compare it to the next tool and offset the last Z0 position.
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ShawnM - Are you using your mfunc6.mac with Router v5.20? Is it working OK in that version?
In the other referenced thread https://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic. ... ng+options cnckeith issues a disclaimer: "Note: Most of these Macros below need updated to work properly with v5.1. !! use at your own risk, test them tweak them yourself, only use these as a guide."
I have tried using these macros and any M6 called in Intercon/G-code gets hung up. And if I go into the Wizard and make changes to anything and write new settings, it deletes the mfunc6.mac file!
The built-in TT functionality with v5.20 Router works great, but does not get called with a M6 tool change. I can only use the TT before running the G-code and after that I cannot re-zero Z with any subsequent tool changes in the job. Would love it if M6 would prompt to use the built in TT functions to re-zero Z and resume the job. Perhaps there is a way to do that now in v5.20 w/o a macro but I am a complete newbie - cannot figure it out nor can I get the macro to work. So just have to make separate Intercon files for each tool so I can set zeros
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You have to tell the wizard you are using a custom M6 or it will overwrite your custom M6 every time. In the ATC page in the wizard there's a slider at the bottom for "custom tool change macro (m6) in use", slide that to yes and save your changes. Then it wont overwrite your changes.
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woollybob wrote: ↑Wed Dec 04, 2024 10:34 am
The built-in TT functionality with v5.20 Router works great, but does not get called with a M6 tool change. I can only use the TT before running the G-code and after that I cannot re-zero Z with any subsequent tool changes in the job. Would love it if M6 would prompt to use the built in TT functions to re-zero Z and resume the job. Perhaps there is a way to do that now in v5.20 w/o a macro but I am a complete newbie - cannot figure it out nor can I get the macro to work. So just have to make separate Intercon files for each tool so I can set zeros
I dont use Intercon nor do I have any clue how it deals with the M6.
The custom M6 macros found on the forum in the topic I linked to for "semi-automatic" tool changes do prompt you if you want to remeasure after a tool change. Please tell us which M6 macro you are using or post it here so we can see it.
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If you have a custom mfunc6.mac macro you'll need to copy it over to the latest version after the initial 5.20 install creates the default mfunc6.mac and set the wizard to using custom macro settings. You can also modify the default mfunc6.mac with your additions.
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On manual tool change machines this setup is a must in my opinion. Once you use it you'll wonder why you did it any other way. 