topic Re: tool changes in cam best way to change tools? in Fusion Manufacture Forum

tool changes in cam best way to change tools?

ghiggsUVQ9T — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 02:46:37 GMT

I'm trying to decide what is the best way to go about tool changes in CAMing a project.

I'm assuming that if I have several tool paths that use different tools, the code will write a tool change between tool paths?

I'm using Mach3 and my CNC router table used manual tool change by hand.

So what happens when its time for a tool change? does the spindle direction stop and then the spindle raises?

If so Do I change the bit out and re zero all the axis at the project home, which for me is front left corner of stock top?

And will the program be smart enough to know to go to the correct location to start the next tool path cutting?

Does the simulation mode show the tool changes? When I run the sim there are no tool changes shown.

I've attached a simple project to test out how it works.

Thanks

Glen

Re: tool changes in cam best way to change tools?

ghiggsUVQ9T — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 20:15:35 GMT

I still cant figure out why the tool change is not working.

I did an actual run of a project on my CNC.

this is what is happening, once the tool path is completed it raises the tool off the material pauses for several seconds then goes to cut the next tool path, problem is It needs a tool change.

My tools are numbered differently I selected manual tool change in the tool library for each tool?

This is the project that is not stopping for tool changes see attached.

Thanks

Glen

Re: tool changes in cam best way to change tools?

Steinwerks — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 17:24:13 GMT

Are you using the generic Mach3 post processor? I believe this must be set up properly there, the CAM is really more of a flag to tell the post to output the appropriate code, which seems to be not implemented in whichever post you are using.

If you aren't using one of the generic posts, it would help a lot if you could attach what you are using here.

Re: tool changes in cam best way to change tools?

ghiggsUVQ9T — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 00:36:13 GMT

Hi Neal,

I'm not sure what you mean by generic?

I hit the post process button in fusion and it spits out the code that I use in Mach3 its a TAP file.

I have a work around that is working I've added a manual stop in-between tool paths (operations)

this stops the router then I rise it up change out the toll re zero the tool tip to the work surface. then hit the run button again in Mach3.

I'd like it better if I didn't have to manual add that stop.

Here is where I added the stops! And you can see it in the code. Also the line where it tells the machine to tool change but it only stops for a couple of seconds then goes on.

I also attached the TAP code below. EDIT>>> wont ley me attach .TAP files 😞

Re: tool changes in cam best way to change tools?

daniel_lyall — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 00:51:28 GMT

@ghiggsUVQ9T There's a setting in mach3 what controls this, you need to get the Mach3 manual you can get it here http://www.machsupport.com/help-learning/product-manuals/

Also there are 100000000 of videos on mach3 in youtube

What has the box sketched around it has the setting you need to change, by default it usually is set to ignore tool change, change it to stop spindle wait for cycle start.

Re: tool changes in cam best way to change tools?

ghiggsUVQ9T — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 02:02:38 GMT

Oh Cool!!!
I’ll give that a try

Thanks!!

Re: tool changes in cam best way to change tools?

ghiggsUVQ9T — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 01:46:52 GMT

Hi Daniel,

that worked!

thanks

Re: tool changes in cam best way to change tools?

coolhandwoodworks — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 01:59:27 GMT

@ghiggsUVQ9T wrote:
I'm trying to decide what is the best way to go about tool changes in CAMing a project.
I'm assuming that if I have several tool paths that use different tools, the code will write a tool change between tool paths?
I'm using Mach3 and my CNC router table used manual tool change by hand.

So what happens when its time for a tool change? does the spindle direction stop and then the spindle raises?
If so Do I change the bit out and re zero all the axis at the project home, which for me is front left corner of stock top?
And will the program be smart enough to know to go to the correct location to start the next tool path cutting?

Does the simulation mode show the tool changes? When I run the sim there are no tool changes shown.

I've attached a simple project to test out how it works.

Thanks
Glen

Hey Glen I have been using the 2010 Screenset for Mach 3 with my gantry router for about six months now and it is about the best thing for tool changes without an automatic toolchanger. You can find it here: http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

Fusion 360 post file here: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/hsm-post-processor-forum/mach-3-alternative-post-mach-3-2010-screenset/td-p/6296407

Basically you make two touch plates, one you move around and one is fixed (I have mine in the lower left corner just below the level of my spoil board. When starting a project you touch off the z-axis on the workpiece and then your router goes to the fixed plate and touches off that for comparison, for all subsequent tool changes you change the tool, press cycle start and it touches off the fixed plate, compares the first tool to the second, automatically calculates the new zero for the new tool and starts cutting... no more re-zeroing after every tool change. It is a paid product but for the time it saves it is incredibly cheap and Ger who wrote it is super helpful and always on the forums at Mach 3 and CNCZone.

Re: tool changes in cam best way to change tools?

daniel_lyall — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 03:14:53 GMT

I don't know why people even bother with Mach3 anymore it's dead, it's been dead for 6 years.

Re: tool changes in cam best way to change tools?

ghiggsUVQ9T — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 03:15:21 GMT

Hi CoolHand,

coinsidently I downloaded it yesterday and set it up last night. Your right about it it is great for tool changing.

i did however replace the simple Z only probe with a 3 axis prob script that I use with my Triquetra-CNC touch off block it zeros my ZXAnd Y all at once.

Replaced the 889.m1s file with the file generated for the 3axis zeroing. The file is located in the Mach3 macro folder where you put the 2010 screen set fills.

https://triquetra-cnc.com/product/triquetra-tool-box/

Glen

Re: tool changes in cam best way to change tools?

ghiggsUVQ9T — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 03:17:05 GMT

What are you using on yours?

Glen

Re: tool changes in cam best way to change tools?

coolhandwoodworks — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 03:19:26 GMT

I made my own version of the triquetra, I have been using the probing macro in the 2010 screenset for x and y and then probing z

Re: tool changes in cam best way to change tools?

coolhandwoodworks — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 03:27:59 GMT

@daniel_lyall wrote:
I don't know why people even bother with Mach3 anymore it's dead, it's been dead for 6 years.

...and the prize for least helpful comment goes to...

Re: tool changes in cam best way to change tools?

daniel_lyall — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 04:25:41 GMT

@ghiggsUVQ9T I am useing bigtex blue screen and probing codes I got of hossmachines forum years ago for doing the toolhight, ger21 screenset is one of the best screen sets out there to use.

@ghiggsUVQ9T It doesn't matter if it's helpful or not It's a fact Mach3 dev got stopped around 6 years ago and will never be picked up again.