Toolchanger questions

Hi Guys
I am just converting a router from Mach3 to LinuxCNC, and am having a few issues with setting up the toolchanger - it is a rack style toolchanger.
Firstly, I would normally leave a tool in the spindle on shut down, but I see LinuxCNC doesn't remember the current tool number. How do you get around this, do you always remove the spindle tool and put it back in the rack, or am I missing something here? Is there a better way of doing this???

Thanks

Regards
Andrew

Hi

No you are not missing something, the last tool number is not remembered.

How you deal with that depends entirely upon how you are changing tools in the first place.

I have written tool changer components that update automatically.
These detect the current tool from sensors and update by prompting a tool change to the same number via a hook into iocontrol.

Others prompt the operator to enter the current tool number.

You can do the same by commanding a tool change to the existing tool in MDI, so long as the tool changer recognises that the tool is already loaded, or it is a manual toolchange
and you just do nothing.

You can save the last tool number at shut down and retrieve it when starting again quite easily, it all just depends how you have your toolchanger working, which might suit best

regards

Thanks for your help.
I will continue to read and learn, and see if I can find any examples others have done for rack style changers.

Regards
Andrew

Hi

A couple of ideas for you



github.com/araisrobo/linuxcnc/tree/maste...emap/rack-toolchange

If you are happy with PLC programming, it might well suit classicladder
www.linuxcnc.org/docs/devel/html/ladder/ladder_intro.html

regards

Hi
Thanks for the links. The video link seems almost what I want.

I have just been testing a simple method using sub programs to call each tool. It works but is a bit messy. ie
T2 M6
o<tool2> call
G43 H2

Which leads me to another question.... My rack is set outside of my limit switch protected work area. Is there a way to disable limits from within my sub program (or from a ladder program if I go that way) while I go into my 'tool change area' and then enable them again when I come back into my 'working area'?

Regards
Andrew