How to interface 3rd party products with Fanuc controler directly

[jvangelder]

Is it possible?. Ive seen some products such as tool breakage detectors, touchoff probes have all their supporting hardware on one board or a 'box' and then just a few wires have to tie into the factory hardware.

I need some way to either read a parameter, or have an M/G/Whatever code have control of an output. the output can be a varying voltage, frequency etc, doesn't matter what it is as long as its scalable with a few hundred value's available. Whatever it is i need to be able to control it from an NC program.

If dug though the manuals and poked around in machines after hours but haven't seen anything really obvious. I plan on speaking with the company who resell's machines to us but figured id ask here as well.

-Jacob

[stevo1]

Not sure exactly what you need but you can read the values of parameters in the machine. You can read the values of most of the input/output values that are setup.

You can setup a custom M or G code in order to run macro program to check the values of these parameters.

What exactly are you trying to do?

Stevo

[memoryman]

We have done some interesting interfacing with a variety of Fanuc controls. Rather then typing all day (with two fingers!), call me and we'll see how we can help you.
Bill Peiman
Tulip Electronics Inc.
289 389 6117

[underthetire]

Probes, tool breakage, all use either a skip signal or high speed skip signal, not what your looking for. I believe to get what you want, you would have to modify the ladder and parameters to control with an additional axis, and use a 0-10v dac.

[gradhugh]

Not quite sure what you are asking. I have a Renshaw probing system on my machine with a fanuc controller. I am using there software to probe a certain piece after I cut it. I then have the results I seek outputed to my macro variables for viewing after the program is complete. Like you, I am also flexible within a few thousandths. I keep my probe regularly calibrated to achieve these results and never had a problem.

You do need a basic understanding of Macro porgramming to be able to do this.

[underthetire]

No macro that I know of can give a variable hard output, IE 0-10vdc signal, or 100 pulses, or whatever. Thats a hardwired function from the control. Inputs from probes are fairly simple, just an on/off basically, the control interprets position and stores them in whatever assigned variables.

[norbert.barnard]

from your part program, you can create a variety of instructions to/from an external (3rd party) device with the use of macro B interface for the read/write of values, and with M-codes.
these instructions is then handled by the pmc program, which needs to be specially written/modified for your required function/device, and output to the selected hardware interface, ie. digital I/O, analog +/- 10Vdc.
normally the aim is to select the desired 3rd party device WITH a compatible interface, as most devices have more than one interface type.

[jvangelder]

Originally Posted by stevo1 Not sure exactly what you need but you can read the values of parameters in the machine. You can read the values of most of the input/output values that are setup. You can setup a custom M or G code in order to run macro program to check the values of these parameters. What exactly are you trying to do? Stevo

I actually need to go the other way, I'm trying to find a way, or the way where I can add additional hardware to a Fanuc controller and have it, ideally read a parameter value. I'm assuming (yes dangerous) that in most cases there are available unused outputs or at least a way to tie in to a Fanuc unit so additional hardware can be added to interact with a already built system. I'm just trying to find information on how that is done.

Originally Posted by memoryman We have done some interesting interfacing with a variety of Fanuc controls. Rather then typing all day (with two fingers!), call me and we'll see how we can help you. Bill Peiman Tulip Electronics Inc. 289 389 6117

PM Sent.

Originally Posted by underthetire Probes, tool breakage, all use either a skip signal or high speed skip signal, not what your looking for. I believe to get what you want, you would have to modify the ladder and parameters to control with an additional axis, and use a 0-10v dac.

A 0-10v would be great however id really like to avoid any modifications of the ladder.




Sorry for the lack of information in my original post, i was on the first pot of coffee of the day, wasn't all there.

So it looks as if i need some sort of additional hardware that can just be added to a unit to read memory information, specifically a few predetermined user definable parameters, as prebulit systems do not have outputs tied to parameter values normally.

-Jacob

[stevo1]

Yes in most cases there are unused input/outputs on the machine. I believe depending on the model the input signals for device interface are #1000-#1035 corresponds to UI000-UI031. The output signals are #1100-#1135 corresponds to UO000-UO031. I use the system variables setup by the MTB but never from scratch. This is not my area of expertise. I did a quick search and found a few threads that discuss close to what you are asking about. The links to the threads are below. I hope they help.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...input%2Foutput
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...input%2Foutput
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...input%2Foutput

Stevo

[jvangelder]

Yes, that is what im looking for. As for outputs, they can just be set on/off high/low? Any idea how quickly this can be done? Is there a specific manual from fanuc that covers this?

Thank you for the help

-Jacob

[stevo1]

I am not really sure how much is covered in the Fanuc manuals and how much you would need to use the MTB manual. What model Fanuc are you using? I will dig up some manuals if I have them for your model.

Stevo

[jvangelder]

I have fanuc oi's, one MC, one MB and the third is escaping me, it may just be an O

-Jacob