Semi Manual Tool Changes in Gmoccapy

Hello

I have a vmc with an automatic tool changer that I haven't got working yet. So now I change toolholders manually.
This is the first machine I use Linuxcnc and with the capability to change tools with offsets.

The problem is that I cant get the offsets to work!
This is how I'm trying to do it:
1. Put manual probe "tool 0" in spindle
2. Find corner of workpice
3. Zero Z height
4. Open the "tooleditor" screen
5. Select the first tool required for selected job
6. Press the "M61 Q?" button

Is this the correct way to do it?`
Because when I do that no Z offset is loaded. The "tool information" box shows everything correct except "offset Z" that is always 0.

Do I need to edit any hal files for this to work?

I don't think that is the problem though.

Please note, that gmoccapy takes care of its own to update the offsets,
sending an G43 after any tool change, but not in auto mode!

wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?Gmoccapy

Hallo,

that is correct, but...

gmoccapy will only apply an offset for the new tool, if an G43 is active!
So after the touch off, you will have to give once the G43 command, than gmoccapy will take care after every following change.

I did program this behavior on purpose, because there are also users not using offsets at all.

Norbert

Ah ok
So what is the correct way to do all this?
1. Start machine
2. Start Linuxcnc
3. Home all axis
4. Put probe (tool 0) in spindle
5. Zero XYZ on part
6. Write "G43 H0" in MDI??
7. Put first tool in spindle
8. Select that tool in the tool table
9. Press "M61 Q?"

Because I can't get that to work

Something I found out today:
If I use Axis and follow this tutorial: gnipsel.com/linuxcnc/g-code/gen05.html
And when I do an "T1 M6 G43" in MDI Linuxcnc becomes terribly slow and unresponsive. If I press the "manual control" tab it takes like 10seconds before it changes to that tab.
Same result after I deleted the tool.tbl.

I ask again, is there something that has to be done in some HAL-file for this to work? I used pncconf to get the machine running and have not added anything regarding tool changes myself.

gmoccapy related

Please do the following:

• get out of e-stop
• turn on the machine
• home all axis
• go to tool page and selegt your reference tool, your edge finder
• change tool to the selected one
• go to mdi page and give "G43" (even if your tool has only zero offsets!)
• touch off your workpiece

If you now go to the tool page and change to the first tool, you will see that the offset do change!

axis related:
I am pretty sure, that you have not included manual_tool_change.hal in your INI.

Norbert

Got it working with Axis at least now (haven't tried gmoccapy)
Added this to my hal file:
wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?Tool_Changes

Thanks for your answers anyway