Thread: Execute MDI from C program? Cant seem to figure this out

Hi guys im trying to execute a MDI line from a C program but im not getting any result. I got an error first but then included kfloptokmotioncncfunctions and the code ran, but didnt do anything. I read a little here: Controlling KMotionCNC from KFLOP I tried a move similer to the MDI("G0 X1.2 Y2.2 Z3.3"); in this example program but nothing. Can somebody give me more detailed instructions?

Im trying to add an automatic G43 H(tool number) to my toolchanger c program so i dont have to worry about offset numbers. If there is a better way to do this im open to suggestions. Thanks.

Hi mmurray70,

I think the issue has to do with the GCode Interpreter not being re-entrant. Which means in order to use the MDI function in KFLOP the Interpreter must be idle. So the MDI can't be called while the Interpreter is executing an MCode. It can be used from a User Button for example. So I don't think that will work for your situation.

Could you provide more info on the problem you are trying to solve?

Regards

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the reply. Makes sense. Is this the same case when trying to execute an M code from within another M code c program? This was another headache i had last week. Was trying to execute a M5 spindle stop at the start of my toolchange program as a safety check, but couldnt not get that to work either. I just copied the code in after. That was a fairly easy fix.

The problem im trying to solve now is... I have the toolchanger working now on my Fadal Mill, and if possible i would like for Kmotioncnc to apply the tool length compensation automatically when i do a toolchange from g code so i dont have to bother with offset numbers. The mazak ive been running at work does not need offset numbers for tool length and i find it very convenient. One less thing to try and remember when programming.

I thought i could do the MDI thing at the end of my toolchange C program but i guess not. When i change tools in the tool table the tool length is applied automatically, but if use mdi to do a tool change the length compensation is not applied. I know of couse that i can use G43 H2 for example, but just trying to avoid that step if i can. Thanks.

Mark

Hi Mark,

Is this the same case when trying to execute an M code from within another M code c program? This was another headache i had last week. Was trying to execute a M5 spindle stop at the start of my toolchange program as a safety check, but couldnt not get that to work either. I just copied the code in after. That was a fairly easy fix.

Actually you should be able to invoke an M Code from KFLOP as it doesn't require the Interpreter (it uses the GUI thread to just perform the Action Directly). I'm not sure why it didn't work. If you were executing both M Codes in the same thread that could be the problem. But copying the code is probably a good approach.

I thought i could do the MDI thing at the end of my toolchange C program but i guess not. When i change tools in the tool table the tool length is applied automatically, but if use mdi to do a tool change the length compensation is not applied. I know of couse that i can use G43 H2 for example, but just trying to avoid that step if i can.

I can't think of a way to do that without adding some new functionality. Normally it is expected that the GCode determines explicitly if the length compensation is to be turned on or off regardless of what tool is loaded.

Regards

Ok no worries, thanks anyway for trying to help.