[gfacer]

I have a uc100 in the mail, but I am trying to determine if it can remap Z axis moves to a secondary Axis, temporarily and with a x offset move as well, to allow the use of a second spindle with a second tool to be used. I can do this on a machine I have now, a CNT, and other wincnc and even chinese machines regularly do this but can't tell from the available online documentation. I have an email in, but the response from Balasz was that it would be in the install folder......which is great but better to know sooner, so I can order one set of parts (for a retrofit project) or another. Oddly, he didn't comment on the dual Z application at all, although I explained the idea. And, don't know if I'll hear back before next week.

Anyone have the macro programming instructions from the installation folder they can post / email? I probably won't bother if it had to be a plug in, so Macro programming guide should be enough. I'll check Vectric post infor to make sure I can't just make tool 2 as a B axis move or something. I'll post back with how I achieved 2 Z operation if I get somewhere.

Thanks,

Greg

[gfacer]

Wait, never mind, I guess I can download from the site and take a look. Not sure if I need a license, but that just arrived via email as well.

Cheers, Greg

[vmax549]

You should be able to use SwapAxis() to change the spindles then use ResetSwapAxis() to change it back. You would set the swap axis as B or C. You would then have to apply the proper XY offset to use it.

(;-) TP

[gfacer]

Thanks, I just did get an email from Balazs too, saying the same thing. I wonder if using the work offsets (IE g55 for second axis), the way the CNT does, will work for uccnc....can't see why it would not.

[ger21]

I think that using G52 would be a better choice.This would still allow you to use multiple work offsets if needed.

[gfacer]

Thanks Gerry,

I think you are right, doing a quick google of it. Very used to the wincnc method, but I know it's not a standard approach. I will try out the G52 approach first and see how it goes (actually I wasn't assuming I would be doing it the wincnc way, just that I figured that approach would still work).

As I don't have a table that can use standard work offset, naturally it's not a feature I feel I'm missing but nothing wrong with doing it right! A piece of paper with co-ordinates and a G92x0y0 at the start of my program was always enough for me.

[ger21]

Most people doing this in Mach3 use G52, and basically assign a tool # or range of #'s to each spindle. The tool change macro enables and disables the respective spindles and sets the G52 offset based on the tool #.