Mazak Rotary Table

[Vifa]

Hey there...

First post, hope this is the correct place for this thread.

We are programmering a program where we need to repeat the same subprogram 8 times, and at the end of the subprogram we need to turn the rotary table 45 degrees.

Is it possible to add 45 degrees each time?

The only way we know how to turn the rotary table is to tell it its position to turn to.

So if possible, can we add 45 degrees to the current position of the rotary table?


Thanks in advance.

Vifa

[jimiscnc]

Some generalities

rotary tables are usually done in EIA programs. This allows the use of User Macro B, which is now standard on most Mazak's, but was optional previously.

So, in the main program, use this:


#500=0

in the sub program, for your A axis, or what ever the letter address is, use this

G46 (unclamp RT?)
G01 A[#500] F720. (rotate A at 2 RPM)
#500=#500+45.0
G47 (clamp RT?)
...commence machining sub program loop

each time the sub is executed, the number stored in register 500 is increased by 45.0 degrees. The value in #500 is reset to 0 in the main program.

on mill-turn lathes, the C spindle rotary axis is letter address C and the incremental of C is letter address H. I think it might be G91 A45. for an incremental rotary axis command on your M/C, but I'm not sure.

If Mazatrol programming, this info is no longer operative.

Not a bulletproof set of turnkey solutions, but I hope this steers you closer to your solution.

-90% Jimmy

[Vifa]

Thanks for your help. I appreciate it !

To this we have used Mazatrol programming, and the only solution we could see was to call the subprogram 8 times, and then turn the rotary table 45 degrees each time from the main program.

[jimiscnc]

The way you describe for Mazatrol is pretty much it and is just the nature of the beast. I don't think doing it Mazatrol way is particularly bad or cumbersome.

In your Mazatrol main program, index, then sub program call 8 times in main program seems not difficult to me, anyway. Your way seems to be the standard way it would be done in Mazatrol, in other words.

-90% jimmy

[Vifa]

The Mazatrol programmering is new to me, but I think I figured it out... When using 'index' it adds the degrees to the current zero point, and when I declare a new 'zero point' it simply just turns the table to the position I write - right?


Anyway, I was told that the proper way to declare a new 'zero point' when the rotary table has to turn was by using an 'index' and then a 'zero point'. I tried some different things today, and by only declaring a new 'zero point' between the subprograms I couldn't get the rotary table to turn - I had to put in an 'index' right before the 'zero point'.
But when I only have to move the rotary table 45 degrees can I then just use an 'index' and omit a new 'zero point' ?


Vifa

[jimiscnc]

good questions. To get an answer, I suggest you make up a dummy program experiment that consists of the main program and a highly abbreviated sub and look at the position or command page (the one with a lot of info on it, not the one with less info but big characters) as the program is tool path checked, or if you cut air.

then use the scientific method. change one thing and look at the results.

CONCEPT:

Mazatrol uses a "WPC Unit" for a fixture offset, analogous to EIA G54-59. IT additionally affords a theta angle - which can skew your program by specified angle - I only point that out because EIA G54 to G59 does not have that cool feature.

"WPC" is probably an abbreviation for "work piece coordinate".

So, before each index unit, you would copy the WPC used at the beginning of your program, and add 45 degrees to the first value, and add an additional 45 degrees before each index unit. You have to repeat the X, Y and Z numbers even if they are not changed, or else Mazatrol will consider your WPC unit invalid.

Pretty sure the letter address for the first rotary axis is "A". Could also be "B" or "C" depending on machine type, or who ever set up the RT.

The Mazatrol "Unit Copy" editing function makes this pretty easy to do. The optional WPC number that you can put in goes up to 99. So WPC-0 could be zero degrees, WPC-1 could be 45 degrees, WPC-2 would be 90, and so on. (sure would be nice if this number was three places instead of 2, then you could give the angle number completely for integer angles) That number is merely an optional label that serves no other purpose as to be a label and the active WPC is determined solely by the placement in the program. It has 'modal' behavior, in other words. Multiple WPC's is perfectly fine. Because it's in the program and not in an external register like EIA, you could have an awful lot of fixture offsets.

Forgive me if I state the obvious. This is boilerplate to seasoned mazatrollers.

-90% Jimmy