Need Help!- Haas 5C indexer connection/programming

[artin5]

Hello,
We just picked up a used haas 5c indexer to use with our haas mill (not wired for 4th axis). i need some clarifications on connecting/programming the unit.
1-I know the mill is equipped spare M-codes and the 5c indexer came with the 4 pin Din cable. Is this the only connection i need to the mill or do the RS-232 ports have to be connected as well?
2- As far as programming the unit, can we just insert an M-code in the main proram in the mill to get the unit to index? Can someone post an example of how they program their mill to get the indexer to index?

Any help would be much appreciated!

[HuFlungDung]

Did you get the control box along with the indexer? You need one if your mill is not wired for 4th axis.

[HelicopterJohn]

Hi,

Here is a link from the HAAS Website that may answer some of your questions. Page 5 of 40 talks about the RS232 interface and how it is used with the HAAS control and it limitations. You can also call HAAS technical support for additional information.

2009_RotaryBrochure_sr.qxd: Rotary Brochure 2001.dc

One other thing you probably already know is that there are different 4th Axis control boxes, ones for the brushed motors and one for the brushless motors depending on which type of indexer you have. I think? the older brushed type indexers only have one cable and the newer brushless indexers have two cables. Maybe someone here with more experience can give you better information.

Hope this was of some help.

[artin5]

thanks for the replies,
Yes we did get the control box with the indexer. Both the machine and indexer are brushless. Ther is not much info in the machine manual on using the spare M-codes, and in the indexer manual there is no programming example for the program running on the mill.

thanks again

[HelicopterJohn]

Hi,

First, thanks for bringing up this subject.

I was just curious as to how you were going to use the 4th axis. Is you goal just to rotate the part to position it for different maching operations?

I understand that if you have not activated the Fee based 4 axis code and don't have your HAAS prewired for 4th axis operation. Therefore, it is my understanding that you can only use this unit to rotate to different positions and not have full 3 axis simultaneous control via the HAAS control.

The reason I ask is that I have been considering doing something similar to your project.

I have done a project involving the the M Code for activating an air nozzle on the Haas. I did a video on it if you would like to take a look.

It is listed in my video gallery on my website.
Helicopter John: Gallery

I too would be interested in seeing any code that someone was using to rotate the indexer. That would include activating the correct M Code rotating the axis i.e 90 degrees and de-activating the M Code allowing the machine to continue to the next machining operation.

I use ONECNC CAD/CAM and have the ability to insert custom codes. I believe that I could paste that code in between the different machining operations to rotate the part into proper position for machining. Then I could easily make additional custom code presets for rotating to different positions and store them in my ONECNC CAD/CAM Software for future use.

[Geof]

Did you not get the manual for the 5C rotary? Here is the link to the online one on the Haas website:

http://www.haascnc.com/pdf/96-0315.pdf

As far as I know the only indexer, and it is indeed a true indexer not capable of continuous motion, is the HIT210 which is controlled through the user M connection.

The other 'indexers', index when being run from the RS232 port using the stand-alone control box. When operated from the control box it is possible to do rotary cuts on the A axis only as well as indexing to any angle, but is not possible to synchronize the A axis with any other axis.

When the (optional at $2000 or so) 4th axis is installed, these 'indexers' are a full 4th axis.

Download the manual and have a look.

Incidentally, to save time and future frustration I would simply toss out the stand-alone control box and pony up the money to get the 4th axis retrofitted. Then the programming is as simple as putting in a G00 Aa.a and you can index to whatever position you want.

[artin5]

Hi guys,
I know that i will not be able to do simultaneous 4 axis machining with the indexer. We just need it to rotate to a given angle. It's a 2005 model and the manual is a little different than the latest version, i will go through the new one as well. I just want to see an example of the code on the mill side for drilling holes on the od of a cylinder. would the code look like this?

...
M21 (open relay/get indexer ready/execute rotation programmed in indexer controller)
G99 G81 X Y
M-code (close realy)
M21
X Y
...


thx