Pick-off Code For Aggregates

[Trevor Bailey]

Is there anyone out there using aggregates that has a station mounted to their table somehow for "toolchanges". I am using 4 different ones on a crap Fadal machine and it is killing my carrige. I heard a rumor at one time that someone was using a pick-off from a station on their table.

 

If anyone has any ideas, please advise.

[Trevor Bailey]

Does anyone have a thought as to if using a seperate tool change from the turret is even possible? Once again, this is on a Fadal? My operators are constantly complaining about their arms "getting a really good workout".

[Charles Davis]

A customer with a motion master mill uses a linear array of holders bolted to the side of the table as the tool changer. The head moves to each using an offset in the control.

 

It seems that setting up the same type of system would be easy (the holders are available off the shelf). Moving the tool to the right location, and making the right motions, would be easy (say, by calling a sub and special offsets).

 

The problem would be getting the machine to grasp or release the tool at the right time. I'm not sure if there is a separate g-code on the fadal that will do that.

 

Without that, you would have to manually change out the aggregate tools.

 

Hope this helps. Nick at Artisans has the motionmaster if you need to look at it.

[two words]

Trevor,

 

You might want to give Art Silva a call. He might be able to help.

 

Steve.

[Trevor Bailey]

Have you heard of this before Steve?