Our initial version for UCCNC integration includes a plugin containing a configuration GUI and the scripts for automatic tool changes and peripheral controls.
Contents
When you download and unzip the file for UCCNC Plugin Version 1.1.0 you will find the following files:
- Macros/
- M6.txt
- M61.txt
- M931.txt
- M999.txt
- Resources/
- Default2019.png
- Default2019.ssf
- HYPLUGIN.dll
- rapidchange_UCCNC_inch_Vectric
- rapidchange_UCCNC_mm_Vectric
- RapidChangePlugin.dll
- README.txt
Macros/
This folder contains our provided custom M Code functions. These macros will need to be placed in your profile’s macro folder. This can be found in the UCCNC Profiles folder C:/UCCNC/Profiles/Macro_[Your Profile Name]/. Any of the custom functions besides M6.txt may be renamed to use a different M Code. If you are using the provided tool touch off macro, be sure to indicate the M Code (default is 931) in the Configuration Settings.
M6.txt
This is the custom M6 macro.
M61.txt
This macro sets the current tool to the current tool selection. Use with T to set the current tool (T1 M61).
M931.txt
This macro performs a tool touch off routine and sets and employs the TLO in the manner described here.
M999.txt
This macro toggles the dust cover.
Resources/
Here we included some third-party resources that you may find useful. These are not required to use RapidChange ATC with UCCNC.
RapidChangePlugin.dll
This is the plugin file. Place this file into the UCCNC Plugins folder C:/UCCNC/Plugins/. After placing the file in this folder, start UCCNC and open the Configure Plugins window. You will find a plugin named RapidChange ATC v0.1.0. Select Enabled and then restart UCCNC. Upon restart, return to the Configure Plugins window and select “Configure” for RapidChange ATC to begin configuring your magazine.
README.txt
This text file contains a condensed version of the information contained in this document.
Configuration Settings
Set Buttons
Many of the machine coordinate settings have an accompanying “Set” button. These are provided for convenience and may be used to record the current machine coordinate position of the appropriate axis for their associated setting.
Units
It is important for UCCNC to indicate the system units that your profile uses. Choose Inches or Millimeters and then be sure to configure all of the values in your RapidChange ATC settings in the chosen units.
Count
Enter the number of tool pockets in the magazine. Do not include a pocket occupied by a tool setter.
Offset
Enter the distance between pockets when measuring from center to center. The offset for your magazine can be found here.
Alignment
Select the axis (X Axis or Y Axis) along which the tool pockets of the magazine are aligned in the XY plane.
Direction
Select the direction of travel along the Alignment axis when moving from Pocket 1 to Pocket 2 (Positve or Negative). You can choose the first tool pocket from either end of the magazine to be Pocket 1.
X Pocket 1
Enter the X Axis machine coordinate of the center of the Pocket 1. You can find information on determining this value here.
Y Pocket 1
Enter the Y Axis machine coordinate of the center of Pocket 1. You can find information on determining this value here.
Z Engage
Enter the Z axis machine coordinate of the engagement target position. This is the position that the spindle will plunge to when engaging the RapidChange ATC Socket. You can find information on determining this value here.
Z Move To Load
Enter the Z axis machine coordinate of the position to which the spindle should rise after unloading a tool before traversing the magazine to the pocket of the tool to be loaded. You can find information on determining this value here.
Z Move To Probe
Enter the Z axis machine coordinate of the position to rise to before moving above the tool setter. You can find information on determining this value here.
Z Safe Clearance
Enter the Z axis position for the safe clearance of all potential obstacles.
Engage Feed Rate
Enter the feed rate to use for the engagement process. This feed rate will be employed for the plunge and retreat portion of the loading/unloading process. You can find information on determining this value here.
Unload RPM
Enter the RPM to spin counter-clockwise when unloading a tool. You can find information on determining this value here.
Load RPM
Enter the RPM to spin clockwise when loading a tool. You can find information on determining this value here.
Tool Setter Control
This setting is provided for convenience in disabling the tool touch off macro from being called after a tool change. This can be useful when configuring your magazine or performing diagnostics to shorten the tool change cycle.
Touch Off Macro M Code
Enter the M Code for the tool touch off macro. Our provided scripts include a touch off macro (M931.txt). Enter it’s M Code and configure the Tool Setter Settings to employ. If you wish to use a custom touch off macro, enter it’s code here. If you do use a custom macro, be sure to configure Z Move To Probe. This is the Z position that the spindle will rise to before calling your custom macro.
X Tool Setter
Enter the X axis machine coordinate of the center of your tool setter.
Y Tool Setter
Enter the Y axis machine coordinate of the center of your tool setter.
Z Start Seek
Enter the Z axis machine coordinate of the position at which to begin the initial straight probe down toward the tool setter. You can find information on determining this value here.
Z Move To Probe
Enter the Z axis machine coordinate of the position to rise to before moving above the tool setter. You can find information on determining this value here.
TLO Reference
This setting was put in place to allow the user to give a machine coordinate z reference position from which to calculate tool length offsets, similar to a master tool reference. We have since decided that it is just as effective to reference 0 (Z Home). This setting will be removed going forward and there is no need to enter a value here.
Seek Feed Rate
Enter the feed rate for the initial straight probe for the tool touch off. You can find information on determining this value here.
Seek Retreat
Enter the distance to retreat after making contact with the tool setter on the initial straight probe, before probing again. Note that this is an incremental distance and not a machine coordinate position.
Set Feed Rate
Enter the feed rate for the second straight probe for the tool touch off. You can find information on determining this value here.
Seek Target
Enter the Z axis machine coordinate of the position to target when performing a straight probe for the included tool touch off routine. This should be just below where your shortest tool would make contact with the surface of your tool setter.
Tool Recognition Mode
Use this setting to enable or disable tool recognition. It is important to note that if tool recognition is disabled, program execution WILL NOT pause upon failure to load or unload. In future updates, we will be indicating this behavior an “Override” mode. “Disabled” mode will provide a pause in program execution upon each load or unload for user confirmation as a safety feature.
Z Zone 1
Enter the Z axis machine coordinate position for Tool Recognition Zone 1. You can find information on determining this value here.
Z Zone 2
Enter the Z axis machine coordinate position for Tool Recognition Zone 2. You can find information on determining this value here.
Tool Recognition Input
Enter the port and pin configured for your tool recognition IR sensor.
IR Blocked Signal State
Enter the state of your IR sensor input when the IR beam is blocked (Active or Inactive).
Dust Cover Control
Select the control mode for your dust cover. You can learn more about dust cover controls here.
Open
This setting can be used to alter the timing of dust cover operation for users with limited Z clearance. Default behavior is for the dust cover to open when the spindle is above the magazine. Selecting “Safe Clearance” will cause the dust cover to open before the spindle moves above the magazine and to wait to close until the spindle has moved away from the magazine.
Axis
This setting applies to Axis Control only. Select the axis being used to control the dust cover (A Axis, B Axis, or C Axis).
Open Position
This setting applies to Axis Control only. Enter the machine coordinate of the position at which the dust cover is fully open. You can find information on determining this value here.
Closed Position
This setting applies to Axis Control only. Enter the machine coordinate of the position at which the dust cover is fully closed. This value should usually be 0. You can find information on determining this value here.
Output
This setting applies to Output Control only. Enter the port and pin of the output you have configured for controlling the dust cover.
Wait Time For Operation (ms)
This setting applies to Output Control only. Enter the amount of time to pause execution (milliseconds) while the dust cover is opening or closing. This value should correspond to the time it takes to fully open or close the dust cover. This prevents any movement from executing until the dust cover motion is complete.
Custom Macro Run Before
With this setting you can enter the M Code for a macro that you can run before every tool change. Paired with Run After, this allows users to hook pre and post tool change routines. This can be useful for adding necessary routines to your tool change such as parking and retrieving a dust boot. The default value of 0 will be ignored. Enter the numeric value of your custom M Code to use this feature.
Custom Macro Run After
With this setting you can enter the M Code for a macro that you can run after every tool change. Paired with Run Before, this allows users to hook pre and post tool change routines. This can be useful for adding necessary routines to your tool change such as parking and retrieving a dust boot. The default value of 0 will be ignored. Enter the numeric value of your custom M Code to use this feature.