Swap axis label

[Rocketmachinist]

I need to output a code that uses W for the axis call instead of Z. I changed the axis label under the machine def but it still output the same. Any advice?

[Colin Gilchrist]

Machine Def is not hooked up to the Post by default. You've got to add code to get the address label from the Machine Def, and that is a lot of work.

 

Is this a Boring Mill? I usually just hook up a Misc Integer to switch between W and Z output. It usually depends on what you are trying to accomplish, and how you want to drive the machine.

 

On a typical 4 Axis machine, you can just use the "zabs" variable for positioning. I usually create a "user defined" variable to capture the "current Z value", so we can restore it whenever the W Axis is returned to W0. In order to save some coding an aggravation, I then just "swap" the 'prefix' value for 'zabs'.

      
      
      sav_zabs = zabs             #save current Z position
      result = nwadrs("W", zabs)  #change 'zabs' to 'W' output
      .
      .
      .
      #restore Z
      zabs = sav_zabs
      result = nwadrs("Z", zabs)

[Rocketmachinist]

Yeah it is for a HBM. I was wondering about how to post out and switch between Z and W axis.

[Rocketmachinist]

I started the process of swapping the misc integer to do the swapping of the axis.

 

any pointers would be great

 

if mi3 = 0

 [sav_zabs = zabs

result = nwards ("W" , abs]

 

if mi3=1

 [zabs = sav_zabs
result = nwadrs("Z", zabs)]

 

does that logic make sense?

 

Where do I throw it in the post?

[Bill Henderson]

I have searched but to no avail. I know this should be easy Colin, I have done it numerous times but seem to be forgetful. I need to change primary "A" axis to "B" and "B" to "A". And make "B" which is rotating about X Axis toward operator (negative).

 

Geesh I wish my memory was better.

 

I was able to limit the axis output to prevent winding up.

 

Thanks for your help in advance.

[Colin Gilchrist]

That logic looks close, I'll clean it up a bit for you. The question of "where" to put it in the post really depends on how you want to output and control the W Axis. Some of the positioning you will want to do in "Z" to move the machine column into position. Then, you'll want to output the W coordinates, do your cutting (may or may not include adjusting the W position during the tool path), then retract W, and eventually return control to the Z axis.

 

And, of course, you'll have to take into account how you want to do a Tool Change.

 

For example, do you just want to position in Z, then machine in W, and then retract W to "zero", and perform a Tool Change right there? (without moving Z?) Or do you want to position in Z, machine in W, retract W, then retract or re-position Z, and then perform a Tool Change?

 

Your best bet would be to output a couple of (simple) operations, then hand-edit the code, and post it here so I can take a look (make sure you use the "Code" option in the reply for readability!).

 

Here is your cleaned up code:

 

Near the top of the post, after the "General Output Settings", you'll need to initialize some variables:

sav_zabs   : 0 #Saved Z abs value
w_flag     : 0 #Flag to track W mode

I would put this in 'psof$', and also in 'ptlchg$', but be sure you put it AFTER the main position output (let it output XYZ coordinate, Work Offset, start up, and Tool Length Comp (G43) codes).

      if mi3$ = 0, #Z output mode only
        [
        result = nwadrs("Z", zabs]
        w_flag = zero #set tracking flag
        ]
      else, #W output mode
        [
        sav_zabs = zabs
        result = nwadrs("W", zabs)
        w_flag = one #Set tracking flag
        ]

OK, you'll also need to "restore" the Z position for the "next tool change". I would do this in 'pretract':

pretract        #End of tool path, toolchange
      sav_absinc = absinc$
      absinc$ = one
      sav_coolant = coolant$
      coolant$ = zero

#      if nextop$ = 1003, #Uncomment this line to leave coolant on until eof unless
        [                 #  explicitely turned off through a canned text edit
        if all_cool_off,
          [
          #all coolant off with a single off code here
          if coolant_on, pbld, n$, sall_cool_off, e$
          coolant_on = zero
          ]
        else,
          [
          local_int = zero
          coolantx = zero
          while local_int < 20 & coolant_on > 0,
            [
            coolantx = and(2^local_int, coolant_on)
            local_int = local_int + one
            if coolantx > zero,
              [
              coolantx = local_int
              pbld, n$, scoolantx, e$
              ]
            coolantx = zero
            ]
          coolant_on = zero
          ]
        ]
      #cc_pos is reset in the toolchange here
      cc_pos$ = zero
      gcode$ = zero
      #   W Mode tracking reset
      if w_flag,
        [
        pbld, n$, sgcode, "W0.", e$ #Return W to home
        zabs = sav_zabs #Restore Z position
        w_flag = zero
        ]
      pbld, n$, sccomp, *sm05, psub_end_mny, e$
      pbld, n$, sgabsinc, sgcode, *sg28ref, "Z0.", scoolant, e$
      if nextop$ = 1003 | tlchg_home, pbld, n$, *sg28ref, "X0.", "Y0.", protretinc, e$
      else, pbld, n$, protretinc, e$
      absinc$ = sav_absinc
      coolant$ = sav_coolant

In 'pretract', we normally output "G91 G28 Z0." to return the spindle home. You may want to modify that, if all you want to do is retract the W Axis for the Tool Change to proceed.

 

Again, a lot of this will depend on what you want/need the code to look like for your machine. Post up a hand-edited sample...

[Colin Gilchrist]

I have searched but to no avail. I know this should be easy Colin, I have done it numerous times but seem to be forgetful. I need to change primary "A" axis to "B" and "B" to "A". And make "B" which is rotating about X Axis toward operator (negative).

 

Geesh I wish my memory was better.

 

I was able to limit the axis output to prevent winding up.

 

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

 

Hi Bill,

 

Please post up a new thread, so I can help you there... This one is about a Horizontal Boring Mill with a W-Axis...