Newbie- rack tool changer software

[Zig]

I have just finished building a desktop router. The router has a spindle with 1/8 inch collet.

The machine will exclusively use tools with 1/8 ' shank.

The tools will be located in a linear cassette at a specific X coordinate on the table. This will allow tools to be presented to the sollet ( which is air actuated ) to pick up the tools by the shank and release them back into their respective slot.

Machine is runing with EMC2.

I am thinking of using one of coolant control lines to activate the spindle air solenoid so that the tool can be released and held respectively.

I have written inline g code to cause a tool to be presented to collet for pickup.

MAJOR drawback ( for me at least) if i reposition the job piece then the entire code moves and spindle misses the tool.

Please help with G code/ whatever to eliminate this effect from code specific to toll changer function.

[Jim_the_one]

Use G53 before every line in the toolchange to use the mashine orginpoint.

Read 12.6 and 14.13 in the EMC2 manual

[marcerasmus]

hi zig, is emc2 a linux based controler? also, what toolchanger do you use
thanks , marc

[Zig]

JIM,

Thanks for the advice, will try it out of the morning. A report to follow.

Marc,


I am planing to make own rack based on 1/8 inch tooling shank and distance rings. Smoething along the lines of standard NC drilling machines.

Have Jaeger 100 000 rpm air activated collet so a rack tool changer will be just the right thing.

[dcorbett]

Hello, off the subject I know, but would you mind posting pictures of the desktop unit you have built? I am debating whether to take on a project, and would be interested in your choice of materials, cost, etc. Any help is appreciated.

Regards,
Doug

[Zig]

Jim,

Much obliged, G53 did the wonders.
The workpiece was moved about while the tool changer remained in its place.

Thanks again.

Doug

I was looking for a router to do PCB routing.

Of the equipment on offer the lower cost units did not come witha high performance spindle and predominantly used solenoid Z axis drive.

They used fairly rudimentary pressure foot to keep the laminate flat.

The more expensive units ( japanese MITS german LPKF etc were better performers but they too cut corners in some areas.

Acme screws instead recirculating ball nut screws stepper balistic controls versus closed loop servo motor controls.

Some used rolled screws with ball nutand others used only a two phase stepper motor.

The top two mentioned above were a disapointment in terms of price build ratio.

I then set about rolling my own.

Criteria were


Use of linear rails not rod bearings which are supported at either end of the rod

Use of closed loop servo drive

Use of direct measurement encoder not inferred measurement vis-a vis rotary shat encoders.

High performance auto tool changer spindle capable of handling drill bits down to 0.3 mm dia

Very lofty goals and very pricey at that.

The most expensive item was the spindle from Alfred Jaeger gmbh a german spindle manufacturer with auto tool changer collet capable of working at 100 000 rpm

closely followed by Renishaw linear scales on all three axes and driven about by NSK slightly preloaded recirculating ball nut screws on linear bearings.

The frame was made of steel plate by a local engineering firm nd that was the second least expensive item. It might have been the most expensive had i opted for aluminium.

The least expensive item was the motors and associated driver electronics.

I used Anaheim Automation brushless DC motors and an australian made driver amplifier module.

The driver accepts feedback signal from the Renishaw scales and step and direction controls from EMC2.

Overall resolution is 5 micron on all axes and the homing is done with a similar resolution of 5 micron based on an index pulse from the scale reader.

I was very fortunate to have had a PC with extremely low latency ( and yes i removed EVERYTHING from the motherboard except a network card ).

The net result is I can get up to 330 mm/ second.

Same hardware might run faster using Mach3 with an USB interface rather than the LPT interface. This would need to be determined experimentally and I just simply do not have the resources go there.

Well that about covers it. As far as the costs go.. they went... again and again... but i now certailnly have a machine which is superior to any of the top listed pro machines ( lpkf, MITS...)

I hope this gives you some clues.

[Home Shopper]

Zig,

I would be interested in knowing which model of Jaeger spindle you chose, and any comments you have on the model. These are fabulous spindles, but the choice is wide.
I have a Gepy spindle, but I need something that runs much faster. The Gepy I have only runs at 10 000 rpm, and I need more like 30 - 60 000 for machining brass with an 1 or 2mm diameter cutter.
How does your spindle handle tool changes? Does it have the built in air cylinder?

Thanks.

[Zig]

Spindle model number 33-1.26 W02 10

Spindle is rated to 100 000 rpm and comes equipped with air activated collet

same physical configuration is also available in a 60 000 rpm version.

Tool changer based on rack design... spindle is brought above the tool bitand with collet open it then comes over the shankand collects the tool ( in theory to be determined yet how well it wil work in practice