4th drive vs controller in code

[JasonR]

Hello,
I am just getting started with g-code so bare with me. I have a Haas Mini Mill that we have been running an HRT-210 on with a external controller. The code for the indexer to move is an M21 command. Am upgrading to a VF-3 with 4th axis pre-wire, so I should be able to control the 4th directly from the code. Correct? Now, since I don't have the technical ability at this point to re-post the programs (we contract a guy to post the code for us) I was hoping I could just edit the M21 commands to A axis commands.

So, as I understand it,

N117 M21 (STEP 2 A0)

would become

N117 G90 G00 A0 M11
N118 M10

Also, do I need to specify the M11 & M10 commands or does the air brake automatically disengage and reengage when the A axis in put in motion?

Thanks for the help with newbie stuff.

[BigNizzy]

Just tell it where you need it to go

G00 A180.

or

G01 A25.25

etc etc

To get the proper feed rate make sure you set the diameter in the settings (can't remember where but it stikes out like a sore thumb)

[JasonR]

Thanks.

[Geof]

When you are using the rotary to make an indexing move it is nit necessary to unlock and relock the brake.

When you are using the rotary in combination with the other axes to make an interpolated move you should unlock the brake a block ahead of the command for the interpolated move. The rotary will unlock automatically but that introduces a slight delay in the rotary motion compared to the other axis motion.

[JasonR]

Got it. Thank you for the reply.