Just wanted to update you that Spencer (BC-CNC) and I have run our first couple of test pieces. We'll do a proper update early next week. In the meantime, here's a pic.
Our gantry is out of square to the main rails. Is there a way in the syntech controller software to jog the C axis independently of the Y to get it squared up?
I´m from Spain and have purchased Excitech 1325 C ., ATC with 8 tools -.
I have several problems to understand syntec controller and now I have problems to change tool ( only tool number 4 )
I can change all the tools , ( in MDI I make MD6 T and the number )
except tool number 4 , I think there is a mistake with the macro or something .,
Perhaps someone can help ...
Also I don´´t understand how to set the Z for the different tools .,
Fernando,
We have looked for the macros to control the tool changes and we have not found them. Our machine drops the vacuum hood when it does tool changes and we would like to find the macros to remove this line of code.
gvr's post #60 in this thread describes setting tool depths. I will describe how we did it, between the 2 descriptions I hope you solve it.
1) Grab Tool #1
2) Use MPG to bring tool #1 down to surface of spoilboard.
3) Goto F1 (position), F5 (workpiece), use the arrow keys to highlight Z axis under G54.
4) Press F1 (latch machine coordinate). This should cause the value of your Z axis to be copied to the Z axis field of G54.
5) Grab Tool #2
6) Use MPG to bring tool #2 down to surface of spoilboard.
7) The machine should be reporting the 'Machine Z', 'Absolute Z' and 'Relative Z'. Take note of 'Relative Z' value.
8) Press F4 (moni), F5 (tool setting). Tool #1 length should be zero.
9) Move cursor to Tool #2 Length and enter the Z value of 'Relative Z'.
10) Complete steps 5-9 for all tools.
(in your case, skip tool #4 until you solve your tool changing issue)
I'm doing this from memory, Spencer or gvr (or anyone else for that matter), please feel free to correct me.
I've also been discussing 886 with Taney. However, parameter 886 only affects the numerical display on the controller, it doesn't affect the physical offset of the drive. The only way to do it is to do it mechanically, unfortunately. Because there are 2 seperate drives for the gantry, I was hoping to jog Y2 independentlly of Y1 to square it up, apparently that's not the case.
For quite some time I have been reading posts on this forum and although you were very informative, I could not make a decision to buy an Excitec. I wanted to buy a router with a Tool Changer and that needed the Syntec Controller.
From most important parts that need maintenance, like the Vacuum pump, rack and pinion, spindle, servo's etc, I could find information, but not from the controller. After some time I got a manual which was not what I consider to be good enough to be able to maintain an important machine. Besides that, it was hard to get into contact with Syntec. Although I totally trust Excitec's judgement as to what is a good controller for their machines I did not feel comfortable. Even the fact that some of you are running Syntec controllers successfully could not make me decide.
After 100+ mails to all kind of companies and a lot of googling I bumped into www.lnc.com.tw. They were very responsive on emails, phone, skype and my questions were answered very satisfactory, e.g: "We, LNC would try to support Excitec’s customers as long as they use our controllers. Therefore, once you order the machinery from Excitec, we would support you on technical as well as other matters".
Excitec was willing to customize a 1530 with a LNC controller, in my case the LNC520 (4 axis and spindle), which I ordered. It is not yet clear to me how it will compare to the Syntec controller, but the manual looks promising. It will take the usual time before it will arrive in Tulip-country and before it is up and running, but if any of you is interested I am willing to keep you informed. First comes the long waiting.
Been giving some thought to your parallelogram. Have you taken a look at your code and/or post to see if that might be the cause? I have doubts that the gantry can rack to any significant amount and still traverse without a whole lot of indication that something is amiss. How far off of 90 degrees are your corners?
The programs are square. Plunge Z, travel in X, travel in Y, travel in -X, travel in -Y. Straight forward stuff.
From one end of the gantry to the other, the spindle center is 4mm off centre by the time it reaches maximum X value.
We've been talking with Taney and suggests unbolting everything, pushing it into square and tightening everything up. Well, the holes in the gantry aren't slotted so you get no adjustment. Besides, when we home it, it always throws itself 4mm out again.
It's frustrating. We have cabinet work, but can't run them.
Here is a shot in the dark. 1. Remove the Y2 servo cover from the gantry 2. Loosen or remove the drive belt 3. Push the gantry as required to square the X & Y axis and secure the position if it wants to drift back to out of square 4. Reinstall the drive belt & cover. 5 Start machine and zero axis. See if it holds square.
4mm is close to the tooth pitch of the pinion on the rack and pinion, if you drop the whole stepper unit down and shift it along 1 tooth, it should be closer to square.
Hmm, any chance of the pics of the homing sensors on both sides of the machine, It almost seems that it isn't using the sensors on both sides to home.
The biggest distance mine has been out of square is about 8mm, it made nasty noises and hesitated when jogging when it was that far out though. (it was after hitting a clamp)
I tried changing tools in MDI mode by entering M6 Tx where x is the tool position with no success. When I did this my machine was a zero position and it moved about 300mm in the x direction and the z went into the spoil board. It did the same for all 6 tool positions. Did you teach the tool positions manually before you tied this? I'm at a loss.
I want to inform that Taney help me a lot and fnally I have my machine worling .,
WE can change tools (8 ) and all is fine ,
The only thing I need is a processor for Vcarve ., I want to use ut with Syntec .,
I tried to contact Vcave support but they don´t answer .,
anyone can help ?
Mitch ., abour your problem :
I think you have a PLC problem .,
We have same problem with tool number 4
Taney explains me how to teach every tool the position they must go
If you want I´ll try to explain to you .
Dear Mitch
Well ., I´m sending what Taney send to me in enclosed file .,
it´s perhaps difficult to understand .,
Well .,I´ll try to explain
Syntec control saves tool position in PLC system .,
So when you make in MDI M6TX , the system search the coordenates saved in PLC and make the changes .,
You can check if you have something saved in PLC ., you have to make
F7 Diagnostic , then F1 PLC status and then F6 PLC register
You ´ll see there the data register ., if you go to number 200 , you must see there the parameters in order of X,Y, Z of each tool .,then if you have 6 tools you must have from 200 till 217 (18) the parameters of each tool .,
If these are 0 ., then we are sure that tools parameter are not saved ...
To save the parameters :
you have to go manual or prefered by jog to each tool griper and fix the tool in each tool griper position .,( please make with care )
Then you must take note of each tool position , X,Y,Z
In MDI module ., you must make for example
G991T1X290000Y130999Z-100990 ( no points )
(T1 for tool 1) ., input the other number for tools 2,3,4,5,and 6
You makes start once and that coordenate must be saved in PLC .,
You can check that ., makes with all the tools .,
After that you can check if the tools changes , making M6TX in MDI module .,
I expected this info ´ll help you
Cheers from Spain
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