Tool Life management with Macros

[abrohit]

My machines are not having any tool counter. I want to monitor the tool life with Macros. Suppose tool life can be between 20 to 30 pieces. I want my machine to flash message when tool life reaches to 20 Without any machine stoppage due to this alarm. Machine operator will start preparing for tool change and change the tool before 30 pieces. and reset the counter (Macro) . Machine will stop if counter (Macro) is not reset to zero even after 30 pieces.

I know about custom macro #3000 but it will generate Alarm and cycle will stop with this alarm. I want a Warning message first after 20 pieces, cycle will continue even after 20 pieces with message on screen. Cycle will stop after 30 pieces if tool counter macro is not reset to zero.

Can anybody make a programme for this?

[christinandavid]

A message can be put on-screen using G2900 if you have Manual Guide i active, and it doesn't stop the cycle.

#3006 will also stop the cycle with a message, similar to #3000 alarm message, but it will allow program to be restarted like an M0.

Could you change the tool number and measure the tool automatically every 20 pieces, and have the operator exchange the used tool on the ATC side while the cycle continues (I'm thinking on a machining centre with a tool magazine - if it's a lathe, disregard this).

DP

[abrohit]

David i am talking about turning centre, with fanuc controller. i donot find G2900 in Manual. isn't there any posibility of flashing the message with macros

[sld4121]

As he said before use #3006, my notes say it acts like an M1 - i.e. it should "flash" a message across the screen unless op stop is active. G2900 only exists in manual guide I, so unless you have at least a 21i, it will not be available.

In any case, I have done similar things in the past, using the 500 series variables. One group to set the tool life, and another set to compare against (max value). In your case, you will want a thrid set to compare for flashing a message. Turn on 6001.5 to be able to call subprogram 9000 with a T call. Your tool change will need to be on a single line, then write your macro.

[christinandavid]

Do you use N numbers for anything important in your program? You could use the N number display as a 'countdown' if that doesn't interfere with the program sequence...

(you could then also covertly store the amount of times the operator has let it run down to zero...)

DP

[sld4121]

Interestng thought - are you writing to #4114 then?

[christinandavid]

I do actually, as I was fed up with N numbers from macros overwriting the main pgm sequence number....

At start of every macro - #500=#4114

Then whenever a new N number is required the next line is always N#500

DP

[abrohit]

Thanks for usefull replies. very small problem i am facing now. I am not able to find " ( " ")" required for generating alarm with #3000 macro. Please tell how to type ( ) in Fanuc OiT. It is not available in keypad. Please help

[sld4121]

From the EDIT mode.
Press "OPRT", Right Arrow, Right Arrow, and then CNC EXT.
You should find them there.