21i Macro Question

[marcwdci]

I am trying to interface an RS232 controlled device to a CNC mill with a Fanuc 21i control. The object is to send the tool number out the RS232 port via DPRNT command. This method has worked in the past very well in machines with a tool changer macro- just add the DPRNT sequence to the end of the macro.
Unfortunately, this machine (and others) doesn't have an ATC macro.

My current approach is to create a macro to "hijack" the M06 and add the DPRNT on after- like this:

Param 6080=6 (point M06 at macro O9020)
Param 6001 #1 =0 (force leading zeros)

O9020;
M06;
POPEN;
DPRNT[T#4120[20]];
PCLOS;
M99;

This works, but ONLY if the T-code is in a block by itself, followed by the M06 in a separtate block:
T15;
M06;
etc;

If the M06 follows the T in the same block
T15 M06;
the control displays an error (something about a T-command- didn't write it down) and stops running.

I would like to find a way to execute this DPRNT with any M06 presented in any format the control will accept it; ie, transparent to the user or programmer.

Any thoughts?

Marc

[dcoupar]

Maybe this would work:

O9020;
#101=#20
M06;
POPEN;
DPRNT[T#101[20]];
PCLOS;
M99;

[marcwdci]

Dcoupar-
Thanks for the quick reply!

I have tried something simaler in the past-
O9020;
M06 T#20;
POPEN;
etc;

But if I recall, this only worked with the format

M06 Txx;

The "Txx" was passed on as a variable (T= #20) and worked that way. Somehow, the T code is handled in a different way in the ATC logic- ladder, maybe?

My last go-round with this issue was with a Robodrill- I wound up using a "stand alone" M function macro that just did the DPRNT function; the programmer had to insert the additional M code after each tool change.

PS- Do you happen to know what param 9933 bit 7 does exactly? It seems to affect the operability of the DPRNT command.

Thanks again, and appreciate any more info you can provide!

Marc

[marcwdci]

Finally found the solution to my problem!
Param 9070 = 6

O9001
M6;
POPEN;
DPRNT[T#4120[20]];
PCLOS;
M99;

This seems to work with the Txx M06 in any order that the control accepts.
This uses a SUBPROGRAM called by M-function instead of a macro called by M function.

Now: Can anyone explain why one approach works while the other one doesn't? The Fanuc books I have access to are "unclear" on this point.
Thanks!