Alexey and Kirk (and the rest), Thank you so much for your detailed answers. I have a couple followup questions.
> Kirk said: > If you need axes motion control for your tool change, typically, you > would need to create g-code subroutines, which you would insert into > your part g-code files as needed. For example, to change a pen in a > plotter, all that might be needed is to move the pen holder into and out > of a pen park location (toggle). Each pen unload and load would be two > g-code subroutines of X and Y movements. You can also set/reset pins > with g-code (M62-65) so if you have a solenoid activated gripper, this > could be used. Conditional control could be handled with g-code O (Oh) > commands. So if I'm using, say, a Gecko G540 as my axis control, how do I hook up to this solenoid? Would I add another LPT port to the machine, then hook up to it that way? > Alexey said: > You could use 4th driver for tool changer, but it is not good to > push it as 4th axis through emc/axis. I think, you can just create > XYZ machine and then add one more stepgen module to control > tool changer. In this suggestion, can the tool changer run through an axis port on a G540 (or other similar BOB), or does it need to run through something else? I understand these are partially not EMC2 questions, but I'm hoping someone can help. I think my main confusion is how I will get signals for a tool changer of any sort (whether it's something fancy or just a solenoid-activated gripper mechanism that is moved into place with axis movements) into and out of EMC2. Can it run through the 4th axis of a BOB since I'm only using 3 axes? Or do I need another route? If another route, can/should I just add another LPT card so I can hook up to the tool changer that way, or do I need to be thinking about using individual Geckos (e.g. 203v) for the axes steppers, and then something else for the tool changer so that it can all run into the same LPT? Many thanks for your help. EMC2 is fabulous and I can't wait to dig into it, but I'm a little stuck on this end of things before I can get there. fg ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Register Now & Save for Velocity, the Web Performance & Operations Conference from O'Reilly Media. Velocity features a full day of expert-led, hands-on workshops and two days of sessions from industry leaders in dedicated Performance & Operations tracks. Use code vel09scf and Save an extra 15% before 5/3. http://p.sf.net/sfu/velocityconf _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
