Fanuc controller controlling mach3?

[h_2_o]

here is the setup, i'm helping out a buddy with an older cnc machine 80" bed x travel. it has an older fanuc controller that is a 3 axis controller but has the ability to output an m-code to a seperate controller. can mach3 accept an m-code to run a rotary table (at max 4 lines of code there) then relay back to the fanuc controller to continue the milling? we are not looking for a fluid 4'th axis, but one that we can mill on one side, then say rotate 40deg, then do some more milling then bring back to home.


thanks for any input

[Al_The_Man]

An M code only has to use an output on the Fanuc and use an input on the Mach3 which would have a program waiting for the input bit. The Fanuc M code would either be the type that has to wait for a finish signal (output from Mach - input to Fanuc), or you would have to put in a program stop M00 after 4th axis M-code.
Al.

[h_2_o]

if i understand you correctly i think that is what i am wanting to do. let me put ask it hopefully an easier way or at least the best way i can phrase it.

example:
fanuc is running a program and i need to index to a 30 degree rotation.
fanuc stops/pauses code execution
fanuc sends m code to mach3 setup
mach3 rotates rotary table x degrees
mach3 sends info back to fanuc to resume
fanuc resumes milling on new axis

end example

is this what would happen or the process that it would go through or am i off base?

thanks for the help

[Al_The_Man]

Basically that is it.
You will need to know what particular output(s) that have been assigned to a particular M code, this is done by the machine tool builder, and not Fanuc.
Typically, most M codes when issued will wait for a completion signal, this is normally an input from the device that the M code was issued to.
In some cases where a device does not issue an M code it is returned immediately internally, for example a coolant pump, where it is just turned on/off but has no need to be confirmed.
If for example you were to use this coolant pump M code for your own use, you would have to issue a program stop in the Fanuc program, the operator would then press cycle start after the rotary table was in position.
Al.