Tool Plate & Tool Offsets

[cherokee140d]

Dave

In addition to a auto four tool changer, I have a tool plate attached to the saddle of my lathe. ( see attached pic.)

Its primary purpose is to hold drills, boring tools, mills etc., three tools max. Each tool + holder will have a unique tool #.

The offsets of the various mounting positions are known in relation to the master tool.

e.g.
X positions A (+1.25), B(+2.50), C(+.375)...1-1/4" spacing.
Z positions 1-11 1(+.25) 2(+1) ... 3/4: spacing.

Wondering if they could be incorporated into the tool table (for touch off) and hooked into the tool change command for TO. e.g. If tool # => 10 do not physically change (Tool Post) tool but use its offsets.

Does this sound viable, worth while etc., within the existing MSM framework.

Thanks, John

Attachments:

[DaveCVI]

John,
You can do anything you want re changing tools by going to ATC mode and writing a M6ATC script etc.

You might also look into running the lathe with MSM in mill-turn mode.... then you can set any offset you like to X, Y and Z... as I already handle Y for MIll-turn and the gcode does not have to know about Y, it thinks it's just straight XZ lathe code...

Dave

[cherokee140d]

Dave
Show off!
You replied before I even finished my edit.

New time to beat 6 minutes.

Thanks will look into, but not up to writing a new script methinks.

John