HMC RETRACT

[M_CODE1]

Wanted to check with others on how they do a retract before the B axis moves if the same tool is going to a different axis. At the last shop I worked at we used a subprogram that that bought tool or the pallet, depending on machine, all the back. A simple M98 P30 did this along with canceling some other thing. At my present job was told to give it a Z25 value before the Z moves. I could make a reference point of Z25 at the end of all OP's that are going to changes axis, but I was thinking that a post change would be better that way I can never forget to retract the tool. Any thoughts?

[M_CODE1]

Guess I should of said what kind of machines we are running also.

 

OKUMA HMC's

[jgary]

I just do a force tool change between ops that work on different axes. This makes the tool go to home in Z before it rotates. I found this to be better than using reference points for my application.

[M_CODE1]

That would work but the Horizonal Dept supervior is not going to go for having them extra tool change lines in the program. I am trying to get the post work as closely as the way he programs on the floor, kinda a pain.

[jgary]

Wow, that is crazy. I kind of struggled with how to do that at first also, but I found this way to be much easier and even more operator friendly. I really don't have any other experience on this subject so hopefully someone will have some better ideas for you to think about.

 

Good Luck

[Mike Whitten CAD/CAM Contractors]

Hello Mike,

 

Have a look at the mpmaster post. Hit the post tab on this website. It is setup to retract home automatically. In-House has done a fine job on this post and I believe that you will like it.

 

Mike

[Tinhman]

Have you tried to set up the safety zone? Sometime, it work for me.

Tinhman

Just try to help

[M_CODE1]

When I used the safty zone it used that zone for the retract for every tool

[gcode]

You can also use the reference points page to control retracts between indexes. Its more work than having your post do it automatically

but it works well.

[HEAVY METAL]

The MPMaster uses a M26 (Z retract)

[HEAVY METAL]

G91 G28 Z0. M09

my mistake this is what the code looks betweeen rotations with the mpmaster post. my acramatic uses a m26

 

cheers

heavy

[spade117]

Mike - you ever get this to work?

[Tony35]

did you ever look in the misc values and turn on "safe index"

[Jack Neelands™]

You could hard code this into your post so that when it index's it automatically retracts to a save position before hand.

 

HTH

[spade117]

quote:

---

You could hard code this into your post so that when it index's it automatically retracts to a save position before hand.

---

That is what I'm looking to do...haven't figured it out yet.

[MIL-TFP-41]

quote:

---

You could hard code this into your post so that when it index's it automatically retracts to a save position before hand.

---

I did it like this....

 

code:

---

ppos_cax_lin    #Position the rotary axis before move - rapid

if index, pindex

else,

[

if fmtrnd(prv_cabs) <> fmtrnd(cabs) & rot_on_x,

[

sav_gcode = gcode$

gcode$ = zero

if not(index) & lock_codes = 1, pbld, n$, *sunlock, e$

sav_coolant = coolant$

coolant$ = zero

pbld, n$, scoolant, e$

pbld, n$, "G91 G28 Z0.", e$ #retract home

pbld, n$, *sgcode, *sgabsinc, pwcs, pfxout, pfyout, pcout, e$

if not(index) & lock_codes = 1, pbld, n$, *slock, e$

pbld, n$, "G43", *tlngno$, pfzout, e$

coolant$ = sav_coolant

pbld, n$, scoolant, e$

!cia

ps_cinc_calc

gcode$ = sav_gcode

]

]

---

This was done on a horizontal boring mill with no enclosure...hence the coolant turning off & back on

[Superman]

Okuma's can have reference return points

 

ie. "G30 P(value)" where each axis movement order is predefined within the control for each point

 

1st move = Z

2nd move = XY

3rd move = B

 

P1= toolchange point ( order = Z, XY, B0 )

P2= toolchange point ( order = Z, XY )

P3= pallet#1 change point( order = Z, XY, B0 )

P4= pallet#2 change point( order = Z, XY, B0 )

P5= retract to Z home( order = Z only )

 

then all that is required is " G30 P5 "

before pallet rotation

 

values are altered thru "parameter pages"

[Justin Beebe at Folsom Tool]

We use mpmaster with G91 G28 Z0. I like this method because each tool gets the most clearance possible but they never over travel.