New Ideas for UCCNC features?

[ger21]

I don't see where Mach3 automaticaly applies teh tool offset with M6. What it will do is if you do not include teh H# with a G43 then it will aply teh offset for teh current tool#

M6 T1
G43 H1

OR

M6 T1
G43

Turn on tool offsets on the offset page.
Then in MDI, do this: (Make sure tools 1-3 have different lengths)
M6 T1
M6 T2
M6 T3
If you watch the Z axis DRO, you'll see that the G43 offsets are changing with the tool change.

[cncdrive]

What about placing the G43Hx code into the M6 macro?
Then the M6 macro will apply the tool offsets.

[Derek]

A DRO that showed what the G43 H# that is in use would solve my issues with manual tool changes on my router. A DRO that accepted G43 inputs would be even better.

As ger21 said most cam programs add the G43 H# after the M6 T#. So UCCNC runs the M6 Macro then applies the offset via Gcode after the tool change is completed. This works fine on my mill with the ATC. I think linking the T# and H# is a mistake although if it's done via macro it can always be tweaked by the user.

As was said, Mach never really handled the tool number length offset very well. David Bagby touched on it with his Calypso Screen set for mach.

[ger21]

Yeah, you don't want to change anything from how it's working right now, which is correct imo.
Just add a Tool Length offset DRO.

[ger21]

Other than just being able to see teh offset value what is the advantage of having teh G43 offset on teh main screen ??

He wants to be able to change the offset without a tool change, and without typing G43 in the MDI.

[Derek]

I don't mind typing in G43 H# it would be nice to know what offset is loaded though. Right now there is no H# DRO only T#. But it would be nice if the H# DRO accepted input like Mach did.

[ger21]

Mach3 doesn't tell you the G43 offset either.

In Mach3's MDI, type M6 T1, and then G43 H5, and it will display Tool #1. It won't show you that offset 5 is in use anywhere.

[Derek]

In the same vane in Mach if I type a number 5 in the tool# DRO It will apply whatever offset is associated with tool 5. I never had to use G43 H# until I switched to UCCNC.

I know that Mach was screwed up by this and I'm not looking to repeat that mistake here. For my work flow unless the machine has an ATC, T# is irrelevant. H# is what counts. H18 is a .25" end mill on every machine in the shop. no confusion. There is only one machine where the T# would matter and that is the Bridgeport with the ATC. If I put the H18 tool in slot 4 the code would be T4 M6 and then G43 H18. In my cam program I have one master tool library. I then manually edit the T# in the code when I'm loading the ATC according to how I want the tools dispensed.

Being self taught I may have unconventional methods but they get the job done.

Derek

[Derek]

That DRO is the actual offset in units not the H#.

[Deon]

A probing plugin would be nice.

Deon