Well it seems it got mad at me for something. I am in the process of learning the in's and out's of this machine. Yesterday I was able to get the tool changer to select a tool from the carosel with a command like: N0001 T18 M02; did this several times. Worked fine. Then it decided to leave the changer in the extended position for some unknown reason. Now when I try the same command, nothing happens and no error but if I do N0001 T18 M06; I get a 032 machine error and the PC display says:

5040 READING TF COMMAND,ATC. ARM POSISTION ALARM
5065 TF START ALARM

As you can see in the photos the machine is polite about it as one can see when things such as relays, sensors and valves are activated via LEDs. The arm posistion sensor is active in the extended pos. The hydaulic valve shows it is activated to extend the arm. So the machine is telling it to do it, I just don't know why. Could be a stuck relay.

Any one have any ideas?

You first said "It decided to leave the changer in the extended position"
5040 is telling you your ATC changer is off position
You need to find out why the changer is not retracting ?
If the relay that feeds it the command is stuck, that would do it.
If it is not stuck, there must be a command prompt coming from your control that is telling the the relay to activate.
You need first make sure the relay is working properly, than all the way back thru to to the command from there.

it should have a way to manally activate the tool cycle
every vmv or hmc ive ever ran had a way to do this
break out the manual it will describe the procedure
or maybe its got a m-code to retract the arm back to home position
it might be wise to call up tool like this:

t1;
m6;

somemachines ive ran seemed to like the seperate lines better

if you think its the stuck relay tap it with something it should get things unstuck
if it sat for awhile i would take a look at the hydraulic hoses if the black rubber comes off the hose it problably needs attenion
i bought a mazak that was older and the hoses were rotted on the inside
and it messed up all kinds of ****e

Do you know a lot of Hitachi users ? I have a Hitachi Seiki VA50 we took out of a toolroom environment that is in excellent comdition. I can not seem to find any interested buyers for it. Only problem I see is the ancient version of Fanuc 6M control ?
As an Hitachi user yourself, do you feel it would market better with an updated control ?

Got a FAX? I have instructions and a VK 45
I should be able to help

E.T./T-Tech

Which year and control?

[QUOTE=brandou10l;383835]it should have a way to manally activate the tool cycle
every vmv or hmc ive ever ran had a way to do this
break out the manual it will describe the procedure
or maybe its got a m-code to retract the arm back to home position
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

M105 is the manual retract code. the machine has to be in "maint" mode. It's a toggle switch in the big cabinet, right side of the cabinet 6" up from bottom.

and it will take the T1M6 in 1 line. Don't worry this Dog will. Newer Fanuc may not like it, but that's what macros can be used for..... :-)

T

Thank you E.T.
You are a wizard!
Merry Christmas

By now: hope you had a good one.

Glad it's up running again.

You know how to find me, don't hesitate.

E.T.