PathPilot controlled lathe toolchanger

Be careful . this is one area where pathpilot changes a few things , especially if you want to interface to their UI
you'll also need to compile from pathpilot sources , rather than the binarys . you may also find other components missing .
so one step at a time .

i'll take a look if you become stuck .

cncbasher wrote: Be careful . this is one area where pathpilot changes a few things , especially if you want to interface to their UI
you'll also need to compile from pathpilot sources , rather than the binarys . you may also find other components missing .
so one step at a time .

i'll take a look if you become stuck .

Yes, I do want to interface to their UI and make a dedicated interface that can be modified for any tool changer without changes to pathpilot.

Thanks,

Iron-Man

It's a PIC 16F876 or u could use a PIC 16F877 if u need more pins works perfect I tried numerous examples posted in the wiki and could not get them to work so went down the pic route it's easy !! And works fine. I have used Hall effect sensors to read the toolchanger position and that work fine to. If u need any help let me know

micknucam wrote: It's a PIC 16F876 or u could use a PIC 16F877 if u need more pins works perfect I tried numerous examples posted in the wiki and could not get them to work so went down the pic route it's easy !! And works fine. I have used Hall effect sensors to read the toolchanger position and that work fine to. If u need any help let me know

Micknucam thanks for the reply. I was able to get the tool changer and interface board. I am using a 7i77 for my system. Was the extra PWM signal needed for your tool changer design or for your 7i76? In other words, I understand that pathpilot outputs a PWM signal (for tool number). Does it, pathpilot, also require a PWM signal (input) for tool status?

Thanks,

Iron-Man

Hi Iron Man yes PathPilot outputs a pwm signal it's easy to measure on an oscillascope. I use a tool change start output signal on the 7i76 which starts the pic reading the pwm signal , then pulses the tool change complete signal input on the 7i76. As u select each tool u can see the pulse width change think it's 10 % for each tool The GUI does not know what the actual tool number is u need to type it in there is no feed back !! The PIC handles all that as its last function is to compare the actual tool position with the required. If they don't match it trips a relay and e stops the machine !! My system was a 7i76 CNCBASHER changed the bit file for me and it works solid now !! You need an absolute encoder on your tool changer as its a bit messy otherwise.
Let me know if u need any help my world is upside done at the mo have rebuilt my machine shop and re organised and decorated my electronics room but will keep checking !!

Micknucam

Presumably in HAL you could see what HAL pin drives the PWM (at a guess, iocontrol.0.tool-number) and send that, instead to a tool changer component in HAL.