Denford Software & Machines

Hi,

Not sure if this is a software or hardware issue . The toolchanger on my SMUC Starmill seems to operate fine on datum setup, but after that it goes through the sequence Z HOME Y HOME but then it moves toward the X home, but does not stop untill the limit trips. At which point, no further action is possible, as I have to re-datum machine.

I did try to set up the STARMILL-TC software in old software directory, in case that helped, but wasn't able to get the starmill to respond.

As I'm not used to toolchangers, I have been using the manual button on the front of the machine when necessary, but I would now like to have a go !

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Sounds like it could be that the X axis is moving in the wrong direction when datuming. Possibly because...

- Faulty datum sensor so the X axis thinks it is already sat at datum and is trying to move off it. If you can get at the sensor, try placing a piece of steel over it to see if the symptoms change

- Wrong (non-atc) software. It could be that the Starmill Non-ATC machines datumed X+ve and a ATC machines datumed X-ve.

Hope this helps

Hi Mr Magoo,
Thanks for that. Rereading my question, I may have misled you ! Machine Datums, I assume correctly, to all positive axis points, ie X 160 Y 90 Z 115. Then Toolchanger resets to tool position declared at Datum call. Now all functions on machine work correctly, until a toolchange is attempted.

When calling a toolchange,and assuming the axis have been moved, the Z goes to +115, then the Y goes to +90,
Then the X goes to +.............. and keeps going til it trips . This is the software I have always had for the machine.

I could try the Stamill-tc software in the archives, but need advice on the initial rs232 settings, for the software to recognise the machine.

Thanks again

Ahhh - all this rings a bell with the old Starmill I think

From what I remember, at some point in the Starmills life the X axis travel changed from 170mm to 160mm (due to the ballscrew manufacturers changing the spec of the nut I think).

So it sounds like your starmill software is trying to move the X axis to X+170 in order to do the toolchange - but I can't rememeber what the solution was!

Does your starmill software include a STARMILL.OPT file or something similar? If so then it will be a text file you can edit, and add the line...
TOOLCHANGEX 160
I'm guessing here! let me know if you do have an OPT file and if this didn't work then I'll try to find the correct entry to be able to specify the X axis tool change position.

Hi Mr Magoo,

Found the Starmill.opt file, only entries are two lines referring to DOS access. Added line TOOLCHANGEX 160 as suggested, but no change in machine behavior. Seems like you're on the right track ! If you know the secret of how to improve memory ??????????
Thanks for your efforts Jazzman.

Hi,
Have found a file,not man readable, called OPTION.EXE ,
could that be the culprit ?
Thanks Jazzman

Hi,
Have found a file,not man readable, called OPTION.EXE ,
could that be the culprit ?
Thanks Jazzman

PS an anyone advise me how to send a link ?

Sorry Jazzman - I looked into this some days ago but then got sidetracked and never posted a reply

It looks like the tool change position for the X axis is stored in the machine controller (the software simply tells the machine to "Do a Toolchange" and the machine drives to position)

But I can't find anywhere that allows you to change this position that is stored in the machines controller.

My other suggestion would be to change the X axis datum position 10mm (by moving the dog that the datum sensor sees) so that it datums 10mm earlier adn so a toolcahnge can actually get to toolchange position

PS an anyone advise me how to send a link ?

Have a look here for info on how to upload file attachments.
Note that some file extensions will not be allowed, in this case just rename to .txt and it should be ok. (option.exe will not be a file any of us can read as it is an executable file that you run)

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