Okuma has had this feature going back to the time when the tape reader would rewind, then read through a punch tape to find the named program.
They called this type a "Schedule" program and it had a file type of something like .skd or some such. In later CNC controls (OSP3000 or later (late 70's early 80's)) this feature was normally used with the tool management option which tracked each tools actual cutting time and would "replace" the tool with its designated spare once the allotted cut time had expired. So even though your program called tool #2 the machine would call #20 and used the H & D values for #20 until you reset the tool management for tool #2. If you are PROPERLY utilizing the tool table and work coordinate offsets there is no reason why you can't run several different programs back to back sharing the same tools in the ATC without any issues. Often the limiting factors are work area real estate and the capacity of your ATC. I have been lucky in that most machines I have had to program multiple concurrent jobs on have been big enough. The Okuma MC4-VAE-HS had a 32 tool ATC, The Mori Seiki SV50 had 30 and the Kitamura HX400 had 50. The HX400 also had like 106 Work shift offsets. While this starts going off topic - In the real world of factory production, labor and machines are only earning there keep when the spindles are running. This means that everything that can be done without interfering with that goal is done. Running the HX400 I was the primary operator, with a assistant. Loading and unloading two 4 sided tombstones while the machine was running and doing in process inspection and QC took every spare second. We took staggered breaks. Tools would be mounted up in the CAT40 holders and offsets determained by a Mititoyo CMM. A program would be generated that was nothing but a long list of G10's and that program was on a floppy disk that was put in a pocket on the tool cart with a printout telling the operator which tool went in each ATC pocket. Often the ATC magazine loading was done while the machine was running. Labor costs (and shop floor real estate) are high in first world countries. To stay competitive manufacturing applies technology as much as is practical to maintain high output and efficiency. Greg, out yonder in Yoder, CO. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
