M-Code question

[Chris64]

Anyone have any experience with these?

My understanding is that these can swtich relays so you can control external devices. My controller (Bandit) has a big array of Relays in the electrical compartment but it seems like most of them have some function already. in reading the documentation they make it seem like you could just add devices to any available port except 2 & 3 (or something like that). Well, where are these 90 +/- ports?

I have a couple ideas of things that this would be useful for...in particular to turn on the spindle or coolant. I can think of a bunch of potential uses for this, but I don't know if it's even an option I realy have.

[HuFlungDung]

I would wonder if the standard M functions may already be there.

Try M8 and M9 for coolant on /off. You can try any M number +START in MDI and see if you get any function happening.

M3 Spindle on forward
M4 spindle on reverse
M5 Spindle off
M6 Tool change (only if you have a toolchanger)
There were also a bunch of Mcodes to operate various functions in the toolchanger.
There may be an RPM changer which is also controlled by Mcode. The spindle should be running prior to calling one of these if it is a motor operated crank on the Variable speed head.



What other features does your machine have, that it would have relays without functions installed?

[Chris64]

It has a row of buttons below the controller but not part of the controller. Spindle/ccw spindle/spindle off/axis enable/colant spray/coolant flood/coolant off...that's about it. I know it also has limit switches, all off button and a limit switch override.

I hadn't tried that, I just read about it assuming it didn't have it integrated.

[HuFlungDung]

If you have some M functions there should be some cards in the card cage, called M function, I believe. They contain some micro relays and diodes and stuff, which in turn operate the larger ice cube relays. There would, of course, be a mess of wires coming off that card, and running to the relays.