How do I edit Haas NGC Post to set tool change Z height to G53 Z4.0?

[chohmanQ74YB]

I would like to edit the Haas NGC Post for a GR510 so that the height it goes to when prompted for a tool change is G53 Z4.0. The work around for now has been to manually edit the g code where ever there is a corresponding Z0 to edit it to Z4.0. The reason for this is that the machine offers about an additional 4 inches of Z travel above G53 Z0 (tool change height), but there are parts and fixturing which is present at this height.

[Arun.rs]

HI @chohmanQ74YB 

You can use the Machine Definition to edit the 'Home Position' value instead of using '0'. This will result in a G53 Z move with the specified value.

[chohmanQ74YB]

@Arun.rs thank you for the help! This worked, but it is only half of the battle.

The edits to the kinematics does in fact raise the machine to Z4 when prompted to do a tool change, however after the tool change the tool travels over to the part at Z0 which can be problematic depending on the shape of the part and work holding.

How can I make the machine raise to Z4 after a tool change before traveling over to the part? We have worked around this by manually entering a move command following the tool change, but I would to be able to do this in Fusion if possible.

[BobVawter · Accepted solution]

I solved this issue in my SMM2+Trunnion setup by raising the home Z and adding the following in onCommand()'s  case COMMAND_LOAD_TOOL.  This diff is against NGC Inspection r44168, but it will be similar for the plain NGC post.

diff --git a/haas_ngc.cps b/haas_ngc.cps
index b8d90c7..a12ac38 100644
--- a/haas_ngc.cps
+++ b/haas_ngc.cps
@@ -1609,6 +1609,11 @@ function onCommand(command) {
     if (measureTool) {
       writeToolMeasureBlock(tool, false);
     }
+    // Ensure the machine is at our expected home position.
+    if (machineConfiguration.getRetractPlane()) {
+      state.retractedZ = false;
+      writeRetract(Z);
+    }
     // preload tool is handled within onSection
     return;
   case COMMAND_LOCK_MULTI_AXIS:

[chohmanQ74YB]

Here is the modified code in onCommand()'s  case COMMAND_LOAD_TOOL

I posted a test program and I believe it worked! Check out line N30 following the tool change. Does this look correct?

[BobVawter]

That all looks correct to me.  There's an M6, immediately followed by a retract to Z4.