Manual - Tool Change Macro (M6Start) Always at home position

Hi,

I am trying to figuring out how to do a simple macro to do a manual tool change at cutting POSITION - only z should move to z0.

I have very difficult to see how it works in real life.

So when I cut a job and it stops for a tool change it should automatic go to POSITION z0 wait for me to make a tool change and how do I restart the job again at the new position after I made a new tool probe to old tool position:
x = (variable bed point)
y = (variable bed point)
z = 4 in MM- after my probe macro

I think it must be a very simple macro.

1. go to Z0
2. stop spindle
3. manual tool change
4. Make a new probe to be z4mm over the cutting job.
5. goto old position
6. start spindle

Is it just to push "cycle start" again?

Can some of you please give me some leads... to that macro.

Depending on your programming skills and passion for this, you could make that machine dance in the way you want it too.
If you aren't code savvy then perhaps worth looking to outsource this job out.

Example that may help you getting started: https://github.com/cstewart000/HME_M...er/M6Start.m1s

It's just my hobby cnc. I don't want to ruin it.


Somewhere I should start ...

My macro so far with manual probe:




DoSpinStop() ' Make sure the spindle is OFF
Code"M09" ' Make sure the coolant is OFF
OldTool = GetOEMDRO (1224) 'Tool In spindle DRO You must add this to your settings screen '''' BUT this line I dont understand
x = GetToolChangeStart( 0 ) ' Get x tool change start position
y = GetToolChangeStart( 1 ) ' Get y tool change start position
z = GetToolChangeStart( 2 ) ' Get z tool change start position
tool = GetSelectedTool() ' tool to be changed to
NewTool = tool
If NewTool = OldTool Then
Exit Sub
End If
Code "G53 G0 Z0" ' Move z to tool change position in Machine cord. '''' BUT this line I dont understand
While IsMoving ' wait for z to move
Wend
Call SetUserDRO (1224,NewTool)
SetCurrentTool( NewTool ) ' input new tool into tool in spindle dro
'Code "G43 H" & tool ' Call tool offsets for new tool
' Verify Tool Change Complete message box
Dim Msg, Style, Title, Help, Ctxt, Response,MyString
Msg = "Please Insert Tool : " & " ( " & GetSelectedTool( ) & " ) " '& " " & GetToolDesc(NewTool)
'Msg = "Please Insert Tool Number " & " ( " & GetSelectedTool() & " ) " '& " " & GetToolDesc(Tool) ' Define message
Style = vbYesNo + vbCritical + vbDefaultButton2 ' Define buttons
Style = 0 + 48 + 0 ' Define buttons.
Title = "Tool Change Requested" ' Define title
Help = "DEMO.HLP" ' Define Help file
Ctxt = 1000 ' Define topic
'context.
' Display message.
Response = MsgBox(Msg, Style, Title, Help, Ctxt)
If Response = vbOk Then ' User chose Ok
MyString = "Ok" ' Perform some action
End If
'Show user the current tool description
Message "Tool # " & GetCurrentTool() & " : " & GetToolDesc(GetCurrentTool) & " Installed " & " Returning to Tool Change Start Position"
'Code "G00 Z0"
Code "G00 X" & x & "Y" & y & "Z" & z 'Move back to where the tool change was prompted
While IsMoving
Wend
End



I move slowly forward...

btw. thanks for your reply

Its unclear what you mean by:
4. Make a new probe to be z4mm over the cutting job.
5. goto old position

Can you explain a little more and I'll see if I can help further. Try to describe what you want in absolute positions and/or motions, or relative to wcs, machine zero, etc. It would make things much easier for someone to be able to help out. Let see what we can do when you've clarified.

Regarding the "goto old position" part, I believe (not sure) MACH3 can set (or read?) #variables via gcode. You could set #x_pos and #y_pos before a tool change and pass it on to your macro to set that ref pos to go back too after your tool change. Have a look at those #variables and see if this solution could work for you.

A macro? What for..
This question is way too broad. What CAM are you using?
Most decent 2.5D + CAMs will support a goto command. They will also support a tool change position...or you can simply change the post processor to issue a G0 xx and M9 before a M6.

Going to Z0 on a tool change??? :violin: