Mach3 Manual Tool Change Macro Made Easy
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
- It has been over a year since I posted my Mach3 Tool change macro and every week I get a Email asking about some aspect of the Macro. So I thought I would do another video and let everyone know I have uploaded the Tool change macro, Instructions and the Tool in spindle screen set to a Dropbox for easy download.
In this video I show you where to place the files, I go through the Macro itself, and demonstrate how it works.
I hope this helps those looking for the Tool in spindle DRO.
Please Remember there is NO tool ZERO start all operations with a tool # on the programs tab in the tool DRO (Not a ZERO. ) A 0 may cause soft limit errors or a Z crash if a tool is inserted.
You must populate your Tool Table for tool offsets. Also Change your Mach 3 Settings under General Configuration (Top right corner ) make sure you check "Manual tool change cycle start"
Always start with a physically empty Spindle to prevent issues.
Thank you for watching Please subscribe, Thumbs up if you enjoy the video.
If there are any questions please comment also comment if you have tried or use the macro.
Here are the links to the previous Tool change Macro video's.
Mach3 PDB Manual Tool Change Macro Update!
• Mach3 PDB Manual Tool...
Mach3 PDB Manual Tool Change simplified!
• Mach3 PDB Manual Tool ...
download the files for the screen set, macro here.
www.dropbox.com/sh/vhqk5z8f0h... Visit the website at www.cnc4xr7.com - Навчання та стиль
thank bro for your sharing , you did a nice work, userful for us
You are welcome
Nice video, thanks!
than you
Excelente Trabalho!!!
Obrigado Amigo!!!
Gracias
Thank you very much Sir for this really instructive video and also for sharing the macro.
As I had initially some difficulties to make it work I would like to save some time to new users telling about the importance to save the macro file "M6Start.m1s" within the correct profile folder into the Mach3 installation directory. Also it is essential to set the checkbox "Manual tool change cycle start" within general settings, as you already said into the description Sir. Thank you very much.
Hi Vincent, Your very welcome!
Yes those are critical to making the Macro work! Another Tip : If you set it to auto tool changer it will start running the G Code after you change the tool and click OK you will not have to Press Cycle start. Saves a step.
Also critical Tool #0 is the Bottom of the Spindle All Tool offsets are from Here.
be Safe,
Sam
CNC4XR7 thank you very much for this precious further tips and for your advises, I really appreciate your answer.
Vincent.
Nice video. Can I ask what this M6 Manual Tool Change macro does? For example, if we have a g-code file, and if the g-code routine involves various drill bits, such as a T1 tool and a T2 tool and a T3 tool, then are we meant to insert this M6 toolchange macro (as a command) at various locations of our g-code routine? This would be for making the spindle remember current position, then going to a tool-change location - so that we can manually use our hands (wrench/torque wrench etc) to change the toolbit ourselves, right? And then, after the manual tool change, we click on a button for zeroing the new toolbit, and finally go back to the original location to continue drilling? Thanks!
"M6" is a G-code call for a tool change. When the cnc program runs the line of G code that reads "M6" it initiates a "Macro" ( which is a routine outside the G code your running) This Macro can be as complicated as running a Automatic tool changer, Or as simple as just moving the Axis to make it easier for you to manually change the tool.
This Macro takes advantage of The Tool Table when using TTS style tool holders even if you do not Have a Auto tool changer.
My Manual Tool Change Macro when Initiated with a "M6 TX" (command X being your tool # ) Will Stop the spindle move the axis to a tool change position ( user defined) and prompt you with a dialog box to please insert the Tool the G code is calling for. Once the tool has been changed click ok and the macro Offsets Z zero based on the Tool Table and returns to the last position and restarts the mill and continues running the G code.
The M6 Macro Takes advantage of your Tool table so you DO NOT HAVE TO ZERO Z ON EACH TOOL. the offsets are stored in the tool table.
So even if your changing tools manually this macro will still save you time if your using TTS style tool holders.
Thanks very much for your time CNC4XR7 for really going out of your way to answer questions, and helping us. Tremendously appreciated. Thanks for explaining that "M6" is a g-code function call. I'm a newbie at CNC, but slowly and surely getting there, thanks to serious help with people like you (and your videos).
My machine is a really basic one, with a manual chuck (with screw collar) on the spindle unit. With really basic spindle unit like this, it's not possible to use tool offsets right? In order to use tool offsets, the minimum requirement will be a special spindle that allows various kinds of tools to be bolted on in a very precise (accurate) way, right?
Thanks again for having produced these videos CNC4XR7. Greatly appreciated!
hi can u plz tell me how to pause the spindle at nc studio for manual tool changing plz plz
config general config top right corner check box change tool wait for cycle start
Just for my own clarification....
Will this tool change M6 automatically bring up the tool height offset?
Or does the code have to have a G43 H* line to set that?
Yes it does automatically call g43
@CNC4XR7, thanks for taking the time to make this video. I apologize in advance if this is a silly question (I am relatively new to CNC), I have a CNC router running ER20 collets on the spindle. When I have to do a tool change, the end mill will drop out and I insert another but I have no accurate method of knowing the offset from the bottom of the spindle (which is the offset you set in your table to ensure you go back to your zero point). Do you have any recommendations how I can re-zero every time I make a tool changing? This really becomes a pain since I will zero on a piece of stock material, say the corner, but when I machine it out and that corner no longer exist, i have to change my CNC code and re zero to geometry I can touch off on. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
Hi Francisco,
Your Er20 collet system doesn't allow for use of the tool table as there is no accurate way to repeat the same depth correct?
Your X and Y Zero position should not change from tool to tool However your Z height will with a tool change.
What you need is a tool change that will set Z Zero after a tool change. Mine does not do this however one can be written but I suspect someone has already done this. Have you looked into this? triquetra-cnc.com/product/triquetra-p3-auto-zero-touch-plate-with-g-code-generator-copy/
Tell Charley Sam sent you
@CNC4XR7 Thanks for taking the time to reply. You are correct, there is no accurate way to repeat the tool offset in the ER collet since there is no stop. I insert the cutter and pick an arbitrary height when tightening the nut to hold it in place.
I am familiar with that touch off accessory. I actually made mine and it works great. But I have to rezero every time which is a bit of a pain. I knew it was a long shot to be able to set up tool offsets but I thought I'd ask. Either way, thanks for the reply.
So you need a tool change macro to move to a tool change position to allow you to change the tool then after the tool is changed you need it to touch of the Z axis and set zero for the new tool?
I believe so but with a tweak. I currently will zero my first tool off some point on my work piece, say one of the corners. All is good if I am machining a flat plate since I can change tools and "auto tool zero" back to my starting surface (z-zero). However my problem is when I machine away that zero surface and I can no longer zero to it. I need a "global zero" I can always come back to for a tool change, and once done, have the tool return to the local zero of the work piece where I can resume the next operation. Does that make sense, hopefully I explained it right? I understand this may just be lack of knowledge in machining rather than needing a macro so I apologize in advance if that is the case.
Francisco Hernandez
So if you had a touch plate located somewhere in your work envelope you can touch off after each tool change. Do you have a touch plate?
Thanks for your video and work! I am new to Mach 3 setup and commands and I have a question.. Is there a G-code command I can use to populate Tool Table in Mach3 ia a way that every tool change the operator can see TOOL DIAMETER in the "TOOL INFORMATION" Panel of Mach 3 ??? I could not find anything about this
If you populate the tool table with your tool information this will be displayed as you have asked in the tool info window.
@@CNC4XR7 Yes, I can do it manually, but I would like a command in my codes to do that, because I am making the code files and another guy is operating my simple and "manual tool change" CNC. Actually I make a command like T05 M06 (diameter: 1.3mm) to show to the operator what drill to use, but he can not see in TOOL INFORMATION DISPLAY what drill is in use between Tool Changes unless he allways populate Drill Table.
Thank you for sharing the tutorial on the tool change macro.
I spend almost 3 day's fidling with the settings in mach 3 before I found your video and made a manual toolchange work on my machine (optimum BF 46 conversion).
My first problem was that at the first toolchange the Z-axis went over the max soft limit (this with safe Z move setting active).
Then after I implemented your macro it was the second tool change that not worked. It stayed just a little over the workpiece and could not get the tool out. After some more trial and error ,I found that mach 3 can not perform a G53 command when the last command was an incremental G91 move. And this happened to be the case in the manualy written G code program I made as a test...(maybe this would not be a problem when using a CAM software)
To make it work I changed your macro and so I implemented an extra line Code " G90" just before the 6th line Code "G53 G0 Z-.25".
Guess changing 6th line into code "G90 G53 G0 Z-.25" should also work.
Yes "G90 G53 G0 Z-.25" would work just fine.
Hi, I've been using your macro for a while now. but I would not know how to modify it so that when changing tools, the table also moves in x and y. and return to the previous position. could you help me?
sure send me a email
Very good work, but I am a little confused between the two M6 start files in the download section as there are two files, a M6Start and a M6StartTalk. What is the difference between the two? Also, what I am looking for is for a manual tool change (no preset height in tool holder) to a specific location and then a auto Z offset measure and adjust (touch plate) and then continue the program. Is that a routine with a dual touch plate?
To recap what I am after is:
1. Start the program (cycle start)
2. With a M6 call in Gcode, pause and then move the spindle to a particular location to change the new cutting tool
3. Change the new tool manually (that does not include a pre-measured tool holder as I have a Router).
4. Do a Z touch probe tool measure move on location to calulate the the overall tool length and offset from previus tool
5. Then continue the Gcode program (Cycle start) with the new tool
Perhaps your macro does that, but I am not sure if that is the case.
Could you please clarify.
Thank you
Hi The M6StartTalk macro allows mach3 to talk which in reality is not practical it just lengthen the tool change time.
So you would want the M6Start macro.
However My macro is meant for use with TTS holders Etc. and the Mach 3 tool table.
What your looking for is something just to move to a tool change position then touch off each tool.
I have seen examples of that sort of Macro around on forums and YT so search around.
Hello, greetings, which card do you recommend to perform the correct atc in mach3?
you only need a simple card no extra outputs needed
dear friend, I can not start the macro do all the steps as you do them and I set general config as you wrote in the manual,
if I press play in (VBSCRIPT) everything is working but as soon as I close and save, I start a file,
1, the windows window does not exit
2, does not get up to make me change the tool
can you help me?
Sure I can try and Help can you send me a email ua-cam.com/users/CNC4XR7about
We can try and see whats going on.
Hello, I am in the process of building my own tool changer with custom tool holders that do not have a taper connection but instead is milled to accept the hex nut on a standard ER11 collet and held in position by small neodymium magnets.
The tool holder will have a spring under the 'new' tool to push the tool up into position until it locates properly on the collet nut and closes a switch.
Is there any possible solution in your macro to having the spindle turn in very small increments until the collet nut engages properly into the milled recess in the top of the tool holder?
I currently do not have anything in the macro for spindle indexing.
OK, thanks anyway. I shall probably go for a carousel design then and use a low geared motor to turn the tool holder. Thanks for your consideration and, of course, the video
I do have a tool change macro for a 8 ,10, and 12 tool carousel
That would be great if you could let me have a copy. I have no idea concerning the macro language and was wondering if the carousel tool changer is similar in macro layout as the subject of this video in order that I can try to fathom it out?
The action that I am considering is that the spindle lifts to the correct height for the tool forks, inserts the tool into the fork then raises approximately 20 mm to clear the ER11 collet nut and then the carousel rotates to the new tool position. Once at the new tool position, the spindle lowers onto the new tool. If the spindle nut does not engage immediately into the tool holder, it will push down the holder onto a spring with a micro switch activating a low gear dc motor that turns the tool holder slowly until it locates correctly on the nut thus allowing the spring to push the holder up and opens the micro switch again.
Does your macro drive a stepper motor or does it utilise a mechanical ratchet system using a solenoid? I will work my design to suit either.
I designed mine for use with TTS holders however the flow chart you describe is basically how mine works it can however be tweaked to suit your needs I use the B axis to rotate the carousel. here is a video:
ua-cam.com/video/B9lHwb_JF3Q/v-deo.html
you can find more info at cnc4xr7.com/ATC.php
Hi, Thanks for the great tool change macro. I am using it currently on one machine with an ISO20 spindle. Its seems to work great, except I get a Z-Max soft limit warning when I start a job with it. The tool path page doesn't seem to show anything that would trigger it, and I actually ran the jobs (a couple of them now) without any issues. Any idea what is causing the warning or how I could eliminate it. I didn't use your screen. I just used Klause's Mach Screen program to copy the tool number DRO to the settings page and it worked just fine.
I think what you have done is fine! That's not the issue. Do you find the error occurs all the time or just on certain tool change combos?
The error is real and or mach 3 thinks it will be based on the the current tool and or the selected tool.
Did you see this in the video description?
Please Remember there is NO tool ZERO start all operations with a tool # on the programs tab in the tool DRO (Not a ZERO. ) A 0 may cause soft limit errors or a Z crash if a tool is inserted.
@@CNC4XR7 I have not experimented to isolate the error, but another users on the CamBam forum suggested that I install a tool and set the machine to that tool before homing Z. So far its happened every time, but I have only run a few jobs with your macro so far.
could it be the that the "safe Z "setting is active and causes a glitch in the original M6end macro ?
@@meuliedoka Safe Z is not used in my macros. I use G53 for the tool change height. I had thought there might be an issue with G53 Z0 being very basically the same as the 0 soft limit, so I just changed my G53 tool change location to Z-0.10 a few minutes ago. Loss of 0.10 clearance height for tool changes should not be a big deal if it fixes the problem. I've been thinking about trying it for a while, but just hadn't gotten around to it. Usually the code runs fine in spite of the warning, but once in a while it will trigger a stop for exceeding soft limits. When it does position is also lost (its still close, but now a little off) and continuing can ruin parts. I figured it couldn't hurt to add a 1/10 inch safety margin. If the problem goes away I'll live with the slight loss of Z.
@@meuliedoka I set the tool change macro to us G53 Z-.1 instead of G53 Z0 and after a day of testing and half a dozen jobs on two machines the problem seems to have gone away.
Do you know have to setup mach3 that when i automatically change tool everytime it gets measured to know its zero point
I need that because i homemade automatic tool changer and its automatically wrenching tools to spindell and every time the distance cheng
Yes www.cnc4xr7.com
@@CNC4XR7 In your website I don't find nothing about that
@@Dios-di8zd i offer screens on the web site to do what you are asking.
Whenever I run a program, on the second tool change, instead of returning to the previous position before the tool change the Z axis moves up into the Z+ limit switch. Any idea what is happening? Thanks!
I cant say for certain However Mach 3 is most likely correct! meaning it is doing what it knows based on the information you tell it.
Some things to check THERE IS NO TOOL 0 (ZERO) TOOL ZERO IS THE BOTTOM OF THE SPINDLE this is one of the biggest issues. so make sure when you set your Z zero it is on a tool number I try to use the same tool Ex Tool 7 which is a .375 4fl EM.
At the time of a tool change the Z axis raises to a height of 1" below the Z limit in machine cord. for tool change clearance.
If your tool is longer than Mach3 thinks it can fit it can cause errors.
@@CNC4XR7 You can have a physical tool zero. When possible you use the spindle nose, but its possible to have a reference tool if for example you want to measure tools off the machine with a height gage, and you do not have a fixture to hold the tool holders that exactly matches the spindle nose. I'm running off spindle measuring on two machines now. One with your macro in Mach3 and another running PathPilot which is a LinuxCNC derivative.
I should add if you do use your spindle nose as tool zero you can set height using the spindle nose as long as you select tool zero on the machine control. Its easier for me to always use a tool, and just make sure the control is set for the same tool I have in the machine.
@@cncmoldsnstuff4423 with Iso spindles it is a little more difficult to get accurate tool lengths without a fixture. Setting Z zero with a Master tool of Known length is the best method. for measuring the other tools a touch off routine would be preffered.
@@CNC4XR7 I do not like spending machine time touching off tools. So far all my tool lengths are measured off machine. I have an expensive electronic tool setter dialed in for one machine, and it hasn't even been out of its box in ateast 6 months. I have had to replace and add tools several times. I just do it on the surface plate while the machine is running. I can easily measure on machine with that one since it is TTS and reference directly on the spindle nose. I just don't.
Yeah, I was not comfortable with anything with the ISO tools so I went with a master Tool 0. I had to make my own fixture as I could not find one for ISO20. Fortunately I have a half decent lathe. I keep the master tool and the fixture in a box together. Some of the guys on PM said I should calculate the difference between my fixture nose and my spindle nose, but I decided it was easier to just never measure on the machine for those two mills. (I have a second ISO20 spindle for a second machine once I have the quirks all worked out on the first one.)
Hi Sam, Just wondering how i would go about changing it for a metric system ? So for example this line at the end Code "G00 Z .25" 'Move Z back to .25" above zero in work cord. Would i just change the "G00 Z .25" to say "G00 Z 20" for a 20mm Z height ? Or would it try to do 20" instead ?
Tim P
I have it set to return to .25" above work piece in metric 6.4mm but yes you have the idea
Ok great thanks. Yeah i wasn't sure if the number i changed it too would be in inches or mm. So i am just guessing it works in what ever Mach3 is setup to use ? So i guess it just goes off you DRO reading correct ? So if my DRO's are in mm then your .25" would be 0.25mm on my machine if i didn't change it ?
Tim P
That's correct you need to change the values of all the movements that are specified. 2" would be 50.8mm etc
Yes that is correct
Ok great. Thanks Sam.
say I hd a button ( input) that calls up tool change when I hit it. If I were to hit this while a program is running. Will this wait until buffer has executed then go to tool change position, stop coolant, and spindle/apply brake. Now here is what I want it to do, after inspecting part or tool then hit cycle start and have the machine pick up right where left off without losing any too length offsets or cutter comp registers and have the tool enter the work running just like it was when that input was pressed. I have mach 4 got any ideas how to do that or if this is how things work anyhow.
Are you trying to do a tool Change or do you just was to inspect the part at some point in the cycle.
If inspection is all your after simply insert a M1 command in your g code
Yes, all I want to do is inspect everything in the middle of a program. Will this move the spindle to the tool change position, shut off spindle and coolant and allow me to inspect everything and then upon hitting cycle start will allow me to just pick up where left off without losing tool offsets or "cutting too much air."
@@joeshmoe5935 You will need to edit the Gcode slightly to do the few things your asking if you want to move to a inspection location. like raise the Z axis , turn off spindle and coolant etc. A M1 command is a (Program Pause) you must also have optional stop enabled on mach3 /4 if you do turn off spindle , coolant and raise Z axis you will need to reverse this after the M1 command
So I can program an input to force an M1type command anywhere in the program even if one isn't typed into the program? I would also need to change Reason I say M1 Type command is because I will also need it to move the X and Y axis to basically the tool change position. What I am trying to mimic is Centroids tool check feature.
@@joeshmoe5935 Sounds like your Looking for a Macro I'm not sure what Centroid does if you would like to email me please do and we can discuss it further.
cnc4xr7.com/contact-me.php
Hello
i can use THC output in axis x or A i mean what folder .m1s responsib of THC
THC is setup default for output5 it's in configuration settings
what you mean
@@benamarcnc6078 I do not think there is a .m1s file for THC but I'm not sure
OK What file .m1s responsible for G18 G19 ?
none
do you have an email? what about the ouput, can you select like an output signal for a relay?
Yes you can contact me channel name @gmail.com
@@CNC4XR7 ok
Hello sir,
i have one doubt. if any possible to write the macro for # G71 - Turning cycle (mach3turn).Please reply to me sir please
possible I think
@@CNC4XR7 Good morning sir
can you arrange macro for G71 - turning cycle. I can pay the charge please arrange that macro sir please
please email me and I will try to help.
Sir please
Damn. Link doesn't appear to be working anymore
really seemed to work fine for me?
@@CNC4XR7 Hmm. I tried again. Unable to connect. Please don't feel like you need to spend too much time troubleshooting it, I should be able to figure out the macro with the help of google.
Hi sir ! That macro is it suitable on the Mach3 Turn ?
No only mill
@@CNC4XR7 Well that possible ?