Macro for turret toolchanger needed for boxford TCL

[richmond]

Hi,

I am just in the process of converting a TCL 240 ( larger version of 125 and 160 ).

I am led to beleive that there is the capability to get the tool turret to move under Mach3 control. I have step and direction pins and the new stepper driver ready to fit for this "axis".

There are for main positions for lathe tools with 4 "half" positions in between that are used for drill / boring tools. So indexing 45 deg each time moves from one tool to the next.

Having searched ( and probably incorrectly - boxford, mach 3, tool, turret etc ) I can't seem to find the answer on here, and my knowledge of Mach 3 is poor at best, although I have "played" with it on the small mill I have.

When testing the lathe under it's own steam prior to conversion it seems that the turret stepper moves forward past a stop, and reverses back to latch into place and stopping when the motor sounds like it stalls ? Does this sound reasonable ? I dont want to overload the drivers or the motor.

So, to my Q........... Is there a macro or some pre written code that will enable me to index the turret ?

Thanks to this great forum!

Rgds
Keith

[PoppaBear10]

Yes, I have written several of them on the Machsupport.com site, under forum.
Others have also posted up code for various machines, take a look there, you will find what you need.

You will need to look at how your ATC is indexing its tool, i.e. there is a main Home switch for the turret, and/or it reads a "serial" indexing code per tool slot, etc.

is your turret single direction, meaning that it has a forward ratched, that goes past the tool index, then move back into position, a "Locking pawl" or something locks it then it stops rolling back. Also, if you have Stepper/servo control of the axis, you can measure the "Back Track" amount in degrees, and then just have it index backward that number of degrees to bring it into lock position.

I rarely check here, so if you have other questions, post them on the Support forum.

Scott

[richmond]

Excellent, thanks for the info. I have found the thread now


rgds
Keith