On Thursday 24 May 2018 10:50:07 Kurt Jacobson wrote:

> Gene, Rene is working on a new implementation of the tool table that
> removes the 56 tool limit.
> I don't know when it will be complete enough to merge to master, but I
> hope it is relatively soon.
>
Thats good news.

> In the mean time, it would be fairly easy to write a little bit of
> python code and add to your VCP so you could select from multiple
> tool.tbl files.

While I have been lurking on the python mailing list for several years, I 
have not learned enough to do that, and at my age, its doubtfull I will. 
But I keep hoping osmosis still works. :) How about just changing the 
$TOOL_TABLE in the env, and reloading from that name in the env?
>
> In the first (GTK2) version of hazzy I experimented with a combo box
> to select which tool table to use.
> Basically, I had LCNC load an active_tool.tbl file, and when the user
> changed the selection in the combo box it would copy the selected tool
> table over as active_tool.tbl and then tell LCNC to reload the tool
> table. It worked, and as long as you make sure you do not repeat any
> tool numbers it is safe, since even if you selected the wrong tool
> table by accident LCNC would not find that tool in the table.

That sounds like something I might be able to do. I seem to be getting a 
grasp of the xml to do that in my post.gui scripts.
>
> If you don't have a tool changer, having multiple tool tables allows
> you to categorize your tools.

I don't have a tool changer. started on one once but after making a 6 
pocket wheel, intended to be on a swing mount, intending to load it on a 
job needed basis, I found a miss-calc had placed the pockets too close 
to each other, and recycled most of what I had cut into other things. 
Never started again.  And with these things, the pocket count is very 
quickly exceeding the available room for a chain driven arrangement such 
as I've seen on a machining center.
 
> For example you could have endmills.tbl, which could contain up to 56
> end mills starting at T1 and going thru T56.
> You could also have drills.tbl, which would start at T57 and have up
> to T112 etc.

Good idea. Once I need more than a single table can handle, I'll do that.

Thanks Kurt.

> Each tool table does not have to span 56 tools, so you could have
> countersinks.tbl, that goes from T113 to T123.

I wonder if grep could somehow be used to make it search and load the 
correct table?

And obviously a printout should be maintained so that the correct tool 
could be mix&matched in the code?  Interesting concept.

> They key is not to have any tool number repeat in different tables
> (pocket numbers can repeat), that is what makes it safe to have
> multiple tool tables.
>
> Now, if you have an ATC it becomes more difficult, because all the
> tools you use in a given program must be in the same tool table.
> In this case it would probably be best to have a separate tool table
> per tool tray, or per part.
>
> Cheers,
> Kurt
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>-------- Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's
> most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
> _______________________________________________
> Emc-developers mailing list
> [email protected]
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-developers



-- 
Cheers, Gene Heskett
--
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
Genes Web page <http://geneslinuxbox.net:6309/gene>

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most
engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
_______________________________________________
Emc-developers mailing list
[email protected]
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-developers

Reply via email to