I have a mix of gang tooling and tool post. I know it's in the manual somewhere, but how do I specify in code that I don't need to pause for a tool change, that the tool is already there.
I have a mix of gang tooling and tool post. I know it's in the manual somewhere, but how do I specify in code that I don't need to pause for a tool change, that the tool is already there.
I'm not sure I understand what you mean but, you need a code for tool change even if you're working with gang tool in order to let the controller know what tool you are using but also the offset of the tool.
If you have 3 tools in the gang tooling holder, every time you switch between tool, you need to have a T2121 for first tool, T2222 for the second tool, T2323 for the third tool and so on.
Depend on how you number you tools.
If you wanf to have the tool stay close to the spindle for each tool change, just set the G30 where you want to have the tool change to be executed.
That's what I often do, also I remove the M5 (stop spindle)
Be carefull not to use a tool in the turret when the turret is near the spindle because you'll crash the turret on the spindle.
This is a video I made with gang tooling, you have to modify the program in order to remove every pauses between tool change.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uO8TJsB09U&t=15s
Jeff
Not what I was after, let me explain better.
How do I tell pathpilot that the tool is a gang tool and I don't have to pause for a tool change. I have a mix of some tools in a gang setup, and others in the tool post. I go back and forth between them.
That's how pathpilot works, you will have to edit the program to remove every line of code that execute a pause.
I have to add some lines of code to move a tool a X and Z position,, remove the M5 (stop spindle)---Txxxx and go on with the program.
There's a lot of manual editing to make it works like you want to..
It's a safety feature that pathpilot use and every CAM software use too to have safe tool change.
Pathpilot don't know if you're using a turning tool and the next tool is a boring bar that is 10 inches long so, .
You have to manually edit the program.
Jeff
I've use both qc post and gang tooling and I've never had a problem. All I need to do is uncheck the m01 optional stop and it will switch from tools on the qc post to the gang tooling without stopping. This is handled in the post processor and how you've set up your tools in both path pilot and your cam software. I am using hsmworks so fusion 360 and inventor hsm should be the same as well. I did not write the pp myself, but another member here did.
As I wrote this I realized I didn't answer your question. But at least you know it can be done.... sorry I could not be more help
I am just piecing together a number of conversational programs into one. Even when I am going between tools mounted on the gang holder it pauses for tool change. (Unless it's the same tool).
Ah, I guess I didn't understand correctly. I thought it would stop and you would have to go to the control and tell it to move to the next tool. Mine pauses as well between tools but it's only a second or less then it proceeds, but I don't have to intervene, unless I have it insert the m01. And I also don't use the conversational as I found it didn't work very well, at least for me.
Did you ever figure out how to not need to hit cycle start when changing between tools that are already loaded in the gang tooling plate? I am having the same problem with PP on my slant lathe from Tormach. I have all of my tools loaded and they are at safe change distance I just don't want to have to keep hitting cycle start at the tool change. Thanks
Just turn off the break button and it'll go to the next tool. Its under the cycle starts button.
Do you mind taking a look at my code? I have tried toggling the break button on and off and I still get the stop.
;== BE SURE TO PROPERLY SET THE G30 HOME POSITION FOR TOOL CHANGES ==
;== MOVE THE Z-AXIS TO A POSITION THAT CLEARS ALL TOOLS AND PRESS THE SET G30 BUTTON ==
;
; -- tool: 1 Turret cycle time: 00:00:24
; op: Drill3
; -- tool: 3 Quick Change Front Tool Post cycle time: 00:02:03
; op: Face1
; op: Profile1
; op: Profile1 2
; op: Profile1 3
; op: Profile1 5
; op: Profile1 4
; -- tool: 5 Turret cycle time: 00:00:01
; op: Drill2
;
; Total cycle time: 00:02:29
;
G7
G18
G20
G54
G40
G90
G30
; ================================================== ============
; Tool: 3
; Tooling: Quick Change Front Tool Post
; Op: Face1
; Time: 00:00:03
; Z: 0.
;N10 M0 (CHANGE TO T3 ON FRONT TOOL POST)
T0301
G54
G97 S2000 M3
G95
G90 G0 X-1.45
M8
Z0.2049
G0 Z0.0566
X-0.65
G1 X-0.3631 F0.01
X-0.25 Z0.
X0.016 F0.002
X-0.0971 Z0.0566 F0.005
G0 X-1.45
M9
Z2.8
; ================================================== ============
; Tool: 5
; Tooling: Turret
; Op: Drill2
; Time: 00:00:01
; Z: -0.1
;N12
T0505
G54
G97 S1500 M3
G94
G0 X0.
Z0.6081
G0 Z0.2081
Z0.05
G1 Z-0.1 F3
G0 Z0.2081
Z1
; ================================================== ============
; Tool: 1
; Tooling: Turret
; Op: Drill3
; Time: 00:00:24
; Z: -0.295
;N14
T0101
G54
G97 S1500
G94
G0 X0.
Z0.6081
G0 Z0.2081
Z0.19
Z0.045
G1 Z-0.06 F5
G0 Z0.19
Z0.02
Z-0.005
G1 Z-0.11 F5
G0 Z0.19
Z-0.03
Z-0.055
G1 Z-0.16 F5
G0 Z0.19
Z-0.08
Z-0.105
G1 Z-0.21 F5
G0 Z0.19
Z-0.13
Z-0.155
G1 Z-0.26 F5
G0 Z0.19
Z-0.18
Z-0.205
G1 Z-0.295 F5
G0 Z0.2081
Z2
; ================================================== ============
; Tool: 3
; Tooling: Quick Change Front Tool Post
; Op: Profile1
; Time: 00:00:23
; Z: -0.1117
;N16 M0 (CHANGE TO T3 ON FRONT TOOL POST)
T0301
G54
M8
G97 S2000 M3
G95
G0 X-1.05
Are you using Fusion? If so, ion the post processor options, there's an option called "optional stop between tools". Make sure its off.