Hi everyone, Does anyone recall any discussions on this forum about editing the Vcarve post processor for Mach4? I did search the forum and google without much luck. I’m looking to bake in some simple commands so that Vcarve does them on every tool path. For example, to actually go to the MTC location for the tool changes. Also, I’d like for the tool path to start without returning Home first, every time. and then at the end of the tool change, to go to my touch off location and wait for Cycle Start so I can perform the touch off. Things like that. I’d love to see a discussion on the forum if there is one or two to read through before I start. Anyway, if you recall anything like that and could point me to it or to what you think would be a good search term that might help me find it, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks!
Post processor editing is really easy:
PS most of the features you’re asking for are on EX controls already… Obviously editing a post costs only your time (and it will take very little time) so that’s probably your best solution.
What you’ll likely want to do is put in some pauses in the post:
If this is all about the tool change you might investigate rewriting the m6 script (assuming you don’t currently use it). Then tell Vcarve to change the tool with an M6 (I am guessing it can do that).
Yes. The G code for a tool change in my toolpaths is M6. Would I edit that in Mach 4? I think for tool changes that’s a good idea. I’ll look in to that. There are some other things I’s like to customize in the tool paths too though that aren’t part of the tool change. Thanks for the pointers gents.
In mach 3 you could edit the m6 macro itself. I edited the macro to added steps to remove the dust boot. I assume the same could be done for mach 4. I don’t know the specifics.
Cool. are you removing the dust boot for an ATC?
Yes. I have a rapidchange atc running on a very old mach 3 machine. I put some tabs on the outside of the dust boot, 3d printed a matching mount, position it carefully, then lift.
The tabs have holes in them, and the mount has some rods that slide into them.
Very cool Paul! We’re on the same track. I’m just a little slower. I have the RapidChange gear but haven’t been able to integrate it yet. I’ve also designed a dust boot I plan to use with it. This dust boot is fixed to the gantry instead of the spindle. If/when I ever get it working I’ll post a pic .
If you are going to integrate the rapid change. You should do that first, as it too will replace the m6 script. It performs a fair number of these operations already. In the mach3 script if you use a tool number > 8 (or how many ports you have) it will do a manual tool change, which will bring the spindle to a specified location, wait for you to press cycle/start, go do the tool offset dance, then it leaves the spindle somewhere that is not the start of the m6 operation.