Need Help!- Second Spindle Offset Mach 3 or Sheetcam

[Wolfesmetalfab]

I am mounting a second spindle (High Speed) on my mill, and have also debated about mounting a second tool/spindle on my plasma. How would I go about setting it up so that when I am using Sheetcam to layout parts, or in Mach 3, or by just manually entering gcode (last option) to get this to work smooth.

Ideally I would have a part that i would use a larger endmill for, say a 3/8" or 1/4", and do pocketing and contouring, and then pause for a toolchange, I would lower the second spindle (which will be offset lets say 5" on the X axis) zero my Z, and then use it with a smaller endmill, like a 1/16" or a v cutter for engraving or chamfering.

I know there are some makeshift ways I can make it work, but I am sure there is a "proper" way to do this that I am not aware of. I tried searching, but no luck.

Thanks in Advance,
Brian

[ger21]

but I am sure there is a "proper" way to do this that I am not aware of

Mach3 doesn't support multiple spindles, so there is no "proper" way.

There are a few different options, though.

You can use G52 to offset the second tool. I've seen this done using the macropump in Mach3 to change the G52 offsets on the fly based on the current tool.

You can use a different work offset for the second tool (Tool 1 is G54, Tool 2 is G55). Probably only practical if you always locate your work in the same place.

You can offset the g-code for the second tool. Not sure if SheetCAM can do this?

there are probably other ways as well.

[Wolfesmetalfab]

Excellent, I think G52 is what I was looking for, wouldn't be to bad, as I can make a g code snippet in sheetcam, and whenever I am going to use the second spindle, select that snippet and it will enter it in for me in between process.

I will have to investigate G52 a little more to become more familiar with it.

I thought about the work offsets, but as you also pointed out, it may get confusing if not locating the parts in the same place, unless I made 2 work offsets for each location. (one for main and one for second spindle) that sounds like it might be a hassle, but was the workaround I was going to do until you pointed out G52.

Thanks, ger21, I appreciate your help!

Brian =)