Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

Background:

I have a 4x8 machine that I have retrofitted with a retractable tool rack/bar that holds the forks for the tool holders. There is a pneumatic cylinder / solenoid that in it's normal state (off) keeps the tool bar retracted (= off the work surface). When the solenoid is activated, the bar extends over the work surface allowing the ATC spindle to grab the appropriate tool.

When I set up the outputs in the Wizard I assigned Output 47 to ToolRackOut. I didn't assign an output to ToolRackIn as when 47 is turned off, the solenoid deactivates and pressurizes the return side of the pneumatic cylinder causing the ToolRack to pull in.

I can manually move the tool rack with an M94/M95 command but I have manipulate M94/95 via /80 and /81 as the PLC won't move the rack if it thinks the bar is out or in. It's not a simple M94/81 to get it out and M95/81 to get it to return.

Since it seemed overly complicated using the ToolRackOut/In output setting, and I couldn't get it to work, I changed Output 47 to M94M95121 and modified the MFun6.mac to add lines M94 /121 M95/121 to move the ToolRack as needed. I left the M94 M95 /80 /81 commands in the file assuming the PLC would still be checking their state but the movement would be via the M94/121 call.

The problem:

Even with the macro edits as described above, the tool rack will not extend at the beginning of the tool change. It only extends after the tool change as it's moving to the TouchPlate which is mounted at the end of the ToolRack. (Yes, I know not ideal but it's what I have at the moment.)

Yes, I have moved the slider in the Wizard to indicate I'm using a custom M6 macro.

M94 /121 M95/121 works as expected moving the tool bar.

There were two other copies of the M6 macro in the ATC folders. I renamed them to make sure they weren't being used.

Report attached. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Steve

got some photos you can share of the machine and ATC? would be very helpful, make a photo album and put link in thread.

can you retry and use just the Wizard to configure the rack atc ( to get to a base line) and describe any issue at that point and post report.zip so we can figure out what stopped you in the first place.

You may need to modify the PLC program to use a single-coil (spring-return) solenoid.

Also, this is a good illustration of why "MoveSomethingIn" and "MoveSomethingOut" are not the best names to use for outputs. "In" and "Out" often mean different things to different people. Personally I prefer "Extend" and "Retract".

The PLC for the Tool Rack is straight forward. You may of had the outputs flipped which is why it was moving the toolrack at the end of the tool change when it was trying to move it away from spindle.

cncsnw wrote: ↑Wed Jan 22, 2025 12:42 am You may need to modify the PLC program to use a single-coil (spring-return) solenoid.

Also, this is a good illustration of why "MoveSomethingIn" and "MoveSomethingOut" are not the best names to use for outputs. "In" and "Out" often mean different things to different people. Personally I prefer "Extend" and "Retract".

Not necessarily, I have 10 pneumatic pop up pins on a 5x12 router table using a spring return air valve. Turn the output on to supply 24 volts to activate the coil on the solenoid and they pop up and turn it off and they retract. His tool rack should operate the same way if it's the same type of valve. No PLC edit required.

And yes IN and OUT have very different meanings for various applications and is a poor choice of terminology for moving something.

Funny enough, if you use the software as designed it works.

Chris you were correct. I had the outputs backwards. Once flipped it worked fine.

This begs the question is there a place that has definitions for the Output and Input terms in the Wizard? I guess I should have been able to figure it out based on the macro, but it would have saved some cycles.

No need to modify the PLC. The retract happens automatically when the ToolRackIn is turned off.

Thanks all for the help.

Steve