Manual Tool Change - Getting Somewhere at Last

Has anyone tried to use 'hal_manualtoolchange' with any PathPilot?

Any reason I shouldn't even bother trying?

I'm currently reading this thread  Manual tool change + tool lengh touch off  to get some idea of what need's to be done.

Ken.
 

Thanks, Good, I'll have a go.

Quick question on remapping, Pathpilot uses G37 and G37.1 for something I've not explored yet, these codes are listed as unallocated.

I know I can remap unallocated codes or remap codes already used but what about the trialing. 1 part.

Can I create new codes by adding .1 (or .2) to G01 and have G01.1 (really bad example!) or M6.1?

Ken.

Thanks for the link, discovered a whole new world of documents under the html link on the docs page, assumed it was just online browsable versions of the pdf docs.

LinuxCNC does the work, PathPilot is the UI.

A quick look at PathPilot last night makes me think most of what's required for my manual tool change is already there. Their manual tool change depends on collection of tools, each mounted in a TTS (Tormach Tooling System) collet, all pre-measured and in the tool table. PathPilot can do the tool measuring prior to starting a job but not once the job is underway. At least I think that's how it works.

This doesn't work for me with a morse taper collet chuck, changing tools and collets as the job progresses (currently each tool in its own ngc file).

I need to do a bit more research in to what the buttons and and associated files do but it doesn't look too difficult ...

(Attached is the ETS setup page)

Ken.

Sorry, can't attack 0.5Mb image,

"Attachment image size exceed limit allowed by configuration"

Maybe I'm not allowed to.

Ken

Same message when running on a Linux machine, normally use Mac OSX.

But by changing the extension from jpg to txt I can attach it.

Without a tool changer Pathpilot will stop at an M6 to ask you to change the tool. G37 will touch off the tool length on a tool setter.

It doesn't sound like you need to change anything.

Be careful assuming that Pathpilot is just the UI, there looks like there's a lot of things tweaked for whatever Tormach uses them for that you wouldn't expect.

Yes, spot on. Found in most recent reading, PathPilot added G37 and G37.1 in Version 2.4.0, no mention of it in the user manual I have.

After setting up Electronic Tool Setter position in the UI just need to add G37 after a M6 Tn in the code file and it should all happen.

Will check it out.

Underneath the shiny exterior it's LinuxCNC all the way. I've used PathPilot for about six years and not been bitten by anything unexpected. Always wise to proceed with caution though. I can be proven wrong on the next push of the GO button.