Use knee to compensate for tool length changes

[Korellibopper]

I want to know if there is a way to hook a stepper up the knee and use it for tool heights. Example say you go to use a drill that 6 inches long longer then your endmill. I want the table to move 6 inches negative z when the drill is called. Could you do this using a macro?

[TOTALLYRC]

I want to know if there is a way to hook a stepper up the knee and use it for tool heights. Example say you go to use a drill that 6 inches long longer then your endmill. I want the table to move 6 inches negative z when the drill is called. Could you do this using a macro?

Himmykabbible has been looking into doing this and apparently it will have to wait until Mach3 Rev. 4 comes out. In revision 4 it should be possible to send the tool offset to the C axis instead of the Z axis.

I of course have no idea on how to actually do it but I am in the process of putting a motor on the knee so I can be ready.

When I have the knee drive all set up, I intend to just go into the G-code and
Input the values manually. If you know the difference in tool lengths, it should just be a matter of inputting a C (knee) move just after the tool change.
If somebody else has a different take on this, please speak up.

Mike

[mecheng10]

This is a good idea, I'm interested in hearing more when this becomes available.

-Brian