Biesse Rover 346 Retrofit

Thanks Bevins

It seems like I really need to dive deeper into this. I was hoping it is much simpler. Might rather then go the route of plain g-code subroutines and do all the error checking via ladder logic - I have 2 NUM systems (SCM and IMA) that have gone the g-code/ladder route although trying to copy their ladder logic is going to be a pain because they are fanatic about safety logic, but will let you know how it turns out.

My machine has 2 spindles, 10 place toolchanger, one 4th axis that can be fit with a circular saw, and an additional horizontal spindle intended for manufacturing doors ("Schlosskasten"), all on one VFD.

The machine is running more or less, but I haven't figured out/implemented tool-change yet, and communication with the VFD (a control techniques model) doesn't exist yet.

I figured one option would be to declare one spindle the "main" spindle and that would be the only one that could change tools with the toolchanger. Each of the secondary spindles would get a fixed tool-number. Changing tool would either switch to the respective secondary spindle or to the main spindle and make moves to actually exchange the tool.

It would be nice to be able to automatically change tools on the second spindle, but it seems there is no straight forward way to achieve that.

rmu wrote: My machine has 2 spindles, 10 place toolchanger, one 4th axis that can be fit with a circular saw, and an additional horizontal spindle intended for manufacturing doors ("Schlosskasten"), all on one VFD.

The machine is running more or less, but I haven't figured out/implemented tool-change yet, and communication with the VFD (a control techniques model) doesn't exist yet.

I figured one option would be to declare one spindle the "main" spindle and that would be the only one that could change tools with the toolchanger. Each of the secondary spindles would get a fixed tool-number. Changing tool would either switch to the respective secondary spindle or to the main spindle and make moves to actually exchange the tool.

It would be nice to be able to automatically change tools on the second spindle, but it seems there is no straight forward way to achieve that.

There is a way to do it using the same principle that I did mine with. I felt I did not need to since the second spindle couldn't access the full table nor the third. But to do it you need to allocate using allways a block of tools for spindle 1 say tools 1-19 and tools 20-30 spindles 2. Then you can stipulate which spindle depending on which tool was selected with TxM6. However, if you only have a 3-6 position tool changer, it doesn't make sense to do it this way because you need to allocate tool pockets to spindles.

There is a way to do it using both spindles with whatever tool you want but it is very complicated and alot of programming code.

Just my thoughts.

I don't really like committing half the tool pockets to one spindle, but it certainly seems possible, and should be better than nothing. Should be a useful next step after getting the tool changer to work with one spindle. Thanks.

I cant think of a reason to change tools in both spindles other than saving 15 seconds if you are on one end of the table to go back and change tools.

Just my thoughts.

rmu wrote: My machine has 2 spindles, 10 place toolchanger, one 4th axis that can be fit with a circular saw, and an additional horizontal spindle intended for manufacturing doors ("Schlosskasten"), all on one VFD.

The machine is running more or less, but I haven't figured out/implemented tool-change yet, and communication with the VFD (a control techniques model) doesn't exist yet.

I have the same VFD. You don't need to communicate with it. It has a pot connection. You just connect the 7i77 spindle out to those connections, then use the rpm output to go into 7i77 analog input so Linuxcnc knows the spindle speed and its done. Works like a charm.