G-Code to turn on and off router, non-spindle

[Sam A]

Has anyone set up a macro or some other way to have the g-code turn on a regular router at the beginning of a job and turn it off afterwards?

I have PracticalCNC Table and WinCNC control software.

I tried a search but found nothing. Was thinking you could leverage off of the cooling fluid pump on and off commands and hardware....

Has anyone tried this?

Is there something like this on the market already?

Thanks in advance.

Sam

[Al_The_Man]

What is wrong with using the M3/M4/M5 ?
Al.

[Sam A]

That would work as well, but I don't have a spindle and will have to buy/build a power outlet controlled by the controller software and hardware.

With all the Porter Cable and Bosch router tables out there, I didn't want to reinvent the wheel here.....

Thanks for the response.

Sam

[ger21]

It's as simple as wiring a relay to a 5V output pin and using M3/M5 to toggle the pin.

[Al_The_Man]

It's as simple as wiring a relay to a 5V output pin and using M3/M5 to toggle the pin.

..and I thought I had been missing something
Al.

[dertsap]

http://cgi.ebay.com/CNC-PLASMA-ROUTE...742.m153.l1262

this guy sells great stuff and for the price this saves a lots of messing around
Ive got his breakout board with the relays and it works flawlessly

[WasteOfSpace]

I am also having a problem with the M3/M5 codes.
I can turn the router on via a relay that is attached to pin 1 and ground of the BOB.
However, unless I use a whole program of M3s the router turns off as soon as the M3 code has been executed. I don't need to issue an M5 at all.
I am a complete newbie at CNC, so it is probably a tiny tick that I have failed to put somewhere in Mach3.
Any assistance would be appreciated'

I just discovered that if I enter the M3 code in the MDI window then the router will stay turned on until it is turned off. But it still won't work in a program.