We have gone through a similar issue with ACN. Moving lights have similar attributes on different channels, analogous to the tool selection problem. It is a deceptively simple problem, and while a table will work in a limited scenario the general solution is pretty complex.
The abstraction that we developed for ACN is called DDL, for Device Description Language. It's quite a bit more involved than is required for the tool changing scenario, but the principles apply. A tool can be abstracted in many ways, so my first question is whether you are looking for a relatively simple solution for your immediate needs, or a comprehensive solution for all scenarios of EMC control. The latter requires a higher level of abstraction because very similar tools need to be differentiated. If you are looking for a general solution to incorporate into EMC I cna help with that task. For a simple solution you could use a spreadsheet that had all the tools in a machine on a page, one page per machine, and then write a script to import the NC file and convert it's tool numbers to the tool numbers for the specific machine. That makes maintaining the tool list for the machine relatively easy. I'm not sure you are going to be able to avoid developing a master list, though. Javid ----- Original Message ----- From: "Stuart Stevenson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "EMC2-Users-List" <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, December 07, 2007 8:36 AM Subject: [Emc-users] tool list/axis abstraction > Gentlemen, > Given: > 5 different machines with EMC controls - 3 each 5 axis and 2 each 3 > axis > 4 different machine configurations - each of the 5 axis mills > are a different configuration > the > 2 three axis mills are the same configuration > 5 sets of tools in tool changers - no master tool list in the shop > 2 nc programs - one 5 axis program and one 3 axis program > each machines motion limits will allow all the machines to run > the 3 axis programs > each of the 5 axis machines motion limits will allow each of > the 5 axis machines to run the 5 axis program > > Proposed abstractions: > tool list abstraction - A given tool (ie: nc spot drill) has a > small chance to be in the too1 1 position on 3 of the 5 mills. > A lot of time is spent > changing the program's tool numbers to match what is in the machine. > A percentage of scrap is > caused by improper editing. > A table to match tool > numbers in the program with tool numbers in the machine would allow > the editing of only the table. The matching function could be tool > numbers but could also be tool description or some other feature. > > axis abstraction - some 5 axis mills have AB rotary axes > some 5 axis mills have AC rotary axes > some 5 axis mills have BC rotary axes > to run a program with BC axis > commands on a mill with AB rotary axes a substitution will have to be > made. > a table in the control to allow > this substitution without changing the program would eliminate an > error source because any time a program is edited an error can be > introduced. > thoughts? > thanks > Stuart > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > SF.Net email is sponsored by: > Check out the new SourceForge.net Marketplace. > It's the best place to buy or sell services for > just about anything Open Source. > http://sourceforge.net/services/buy/index.php > _______________________________________________ > Emc-users mailing list > [email protected] > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SF.Net email is sponsored by: Check out the new SourceForge.net Marketplace. It's the best place to buy or sell services for just about anything Open Source. http://sourceforge.net/services/buy/index.php _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
