Fanuc 32i: Parameter to change Txxxx behavior

[Jaani]

As you know the first and last 2 digits of Txxxx, can have 2 different meanings based on parameters been set. I am thinking about a configuration where the first 2 digits determine Turret station number + Geometry offset. But I don't know which parameters should I change in Fanuc 32i. Now geometry offset + wear offset are related to the last 2 digits.

Besides, which configuration do you prefer?

 

[Vancbiker]

I believe the parameter you are looking for is 5002 bit 1. Setting it to 1 should make the geometry offset relate to the Txx value.

Preference for me depends on machine configuration and abilities. Can't say I think one is better than the other.

 

[Herding Cats]

The more important thing is to set it so all your machines match so an error/crash is less likely to happen when transitioning between machines.

 

[Vancbiker]

The more important thing is to set it so all your machines match so an error/crash is less likely to happen when transitioning between machines.

That would be ideal but IME, not always most practical. Some machines accept T0, others don’t. T0 cancels all offsets but depending on parameter setting Txx00 will or won’t cancel geometry offsets. On machines that have 2 ID tools per station It’s really handy to let the low order Tool number set geometry and wear. That becomes a pain when using 2 different offsets per tool though.

 

[Herding Cats]

Some machines accept T0, others don’t. T0 cancels all offsets but depending on parameter setting Txx00 will or won’t cancel geometry offsets.

On an OT I seem to recall seeing such a parameter.

I get it you can't always get all the machines the same, but I can't recall how many shops I've walked into and they mention how two different machines with the same control behave differently and they hate it. When I ask why they don't change it I just get a blank look back

I have several different control manufactures in my shop but for the most part have them all set up to behave similar. Such as when calling an offset not moving till the following block containing movement.

Less for my simple mind to remember

 

[Vancbiker]

Yes, commonality is good to work towards. I added a few macros to my Makino to make it code compatible with my Mori. Also allows one post be common to both machines.

 

[lobust]

Every fanuc lathe I've ever used is Txxyy where xx is the physical tool number and yy is the offset. The only exception was the Celos Fanuc on the NTX which used a totally different tool management system and behaved much more like a mill as far as tool offsets were concerned...

If you set the parameter such that it matches the offset number to Txx, how do you load a different offset if using multiple tools in one station for example?

 

[Herding Cats]

Every fanuc lathe I've ever used is Txxyy where xx is the physical tool number and yy is the offset. The only exception was the Celos Fanuc on the NTX which used a totally different tool management system and behaved much more like a mill as far as tool offsets were concerned...

If you set the parameter such that it matches the offset number to Txx, how do you load a different offset if using multiple tools in one station for example?

I'm 99% sure there is a parameter that if you use T01 it assumes the same offset (0101) and if you call T0110 it uses offset 10.

I believe the same parameter assumes T0100 if T01 is called.

I only have 2 lathes and it's been some time since I've fooled with parameters or read the books.

 

[Vancbiker]

….If you set the parameter such that it matches the offset number to Txx, how do you load a different offset if using multiple tools in one station for example?

This is a perfect example of why it’s not convenient to tie geometry offset to the turret station. Typically folks with machines set up to tie a geometry offset to the turret station will use a large wear offset value for the second tool that stakes into account the differences between the tools.

It is convenient having the geometry offset tied to the tool station when the same tool is used with multiple wear offsets. This eliminates having to maintain matching geometry offsets at multiple offset registers.

One just needs to decide what is best for their workpieces.

 

[angelw]

Besides, which configuration do you prefer?

I prefer the system where the xx in Txxyy only calls the tool station and yy the offset.

With reasonable volume jobs, where the part diameter and length permits, I build a tool holder that will take two boring bars, as in gang tooling, arranged so that the cutting edges are facing towards each other and with sufficient clearance so that the workpiece fits between the two tools. One B/Bar OD roughs the part, with the second B/Bar on the other side of the part takes the finish cut without having to do a tool index. Simply change the yy value as the second tool is moved to the start position for its operation.

I can see no downside in using the same Tool and Offset Number system for one tool per turret station position and therefore, prefer that xx only refer to the turret position.

There are quite a few makes of machines now adays with a "Y" axis, that are supplied with Tool Holder that carry two OD Turning Tools, one below the other. In this configuration, a tool change is made by withdrawing the turret sufficient in either the X or Z axis to clear the work and move the "Y" axis to bring the second tool into play. With this system, the Geometry and Wear Offset needs to be called with the yy part of the Tool callup.


Regards,

Bill

 

[Barbter]

I get it you can't always get all the machines the same, but I can't recall how many shops I've walked into and they mention how two different machines with the same control behave differently and they hate it. When I ask why they don't change it I just get a blank look back

Localish to my old place - AS9100 Aero company bought 1st Integrex and got mastercam post.
#2 machine arrived and spindle C rotated opposite direction so they got another mastercam post.
So same job now had 2x different prog numbers for effectively the same machine....
Then machine #3 arrived and 2x machines had C going one way, but don't forget that the other one has the C going the other....

Standardisation is a wonderful thing. If only people would do it....

Ref OP - I preferred T0505 (for tool #5, offsets #5. T1010 for tool #10, offset 10 etc).
Then if something to me was unusual, add 10 so T0515 - Tool 5, Offset 15.
This was for a 10 turret machine....

 

[Herding Cats]

Localish to my old place - AS9100 Aero company bought 1st Integrex and got mastercam post.
#2 machine arrived and spindle C rotated opposite direction so they got another mastercam post.
So same job now had 2x different prog numbers for effectively the same machine....
Then machine #3 arrived and 2x machines had C going one way, but don't forget that the other one has the C going the other....

Standardisation is a wonderful thing. If only people would do it....

I find it hard to believe the C rotation couldn't be reversed with a simple parameter change.

 

[Barbter]

I find it hard to believe the C rotation couldn't be reversed with a simple parameter change.

Yes it could have. But nobody asked them.
It was my mastercam reseller that told me the story and he said he suggested it but "it was faster for him to supply the post than get Mazak back".
We both laughed....!

 

[Vancbiker]

My points above relate to controls configured with separate wear and geometry registers. If one only has a control configuration where wear and geometry are combined on a common register then the turret station portion of a Tool call will have no affect on offset selection.

 

[Spruewell]

I run have two old Miyanos with FANUC OT controls. Top turret has 10 positions and I primarily run dual holders on them for drills and boring bars. I set all inside positions and single tool holders to T0101 - T1010. Outside tools are T1111 - T2020. T0101 shares the same turret position as T1111, T0202 shares turret position with T1212 and so on. There has been rare occasion where I needed a third offset on a turret position, but it would end up being T2121-T3030.

 

[TeachMePlease]

That would be ideal but IME, not always most practical. Some machines accept T0, others don’t. T0 cancels all offsets but depending on parameter setting Txx00 will or won’t cancel geometry offsets. On machines that have 2 ID tools per station It’s really handy to let the low order Tool number set geometry and wear. That becomes a pain when using 2 different offsets per tool though.

I read on PM a long time ago that a guy tried T0 on a lathe and it sent his turret into "fan mode", just continuously changing tool stations. No idea if it's true or not, but it gave me a really funny mental image.

 

[Vancbiker]

I read on PM a long time ago that a guy tried T0 on a lathe and it sent his turret into "fan mode", just continuously changing tool stations. No idea if it's true or not, but it gave me a really funny mental image.

Absolutely possible and the result of a poorly programmed ladder by the builder. Turret control is entirely the responsibility of the builder. Hell, Fanuc doesn’t know or care if the machine has a turret or gang tools.

 

[Mud]

I read on PM a long time ago that a guy tried T0 on a lathe and it sent his turret into "fan mode", just continuously changing tool stations. No idea if it's true or not, but it gave me a really funny mental image.

I've seen it for real. Not from a command but from a stuck contactor, the turret just revolving at full speed.

You don't need double tools to need this. I use multiple offsets on one single tool on my Cincinnati Talon lathe. I use a small boring bar to contour an ID, and use the same tool to finish an OD bearing diameter that is recessed into the part. I use T0606 for the ID and T0616 for the OD.

 

[lobust]

I read on PM a long time ago that a guy tried T0 on a lathe and it sent his turret into "fan mode", just continuously changing tool stations. No idea if it's true or not, but it gave me a really funny mental image.

Absolutely possible and the result of a poorly programmed ladder by the builder. Turret control is entirely the responsibility of the builder. Hell, Fanuc doesn’t know or care if the machine has a turret or gang tools.

That was me, or at least one instance of it was.

In that case the MTB blamed Fanuc and wouldn't shift. As I recall, they had narrowed it down to a specific firmware revision on the 0i-TD, where something was borked in the PMC. I was copied in on the back and forth between the MTB and Fanuc engineers, but it was a long time ago and can't remember the exact details.

It was during that that I realised there was no reason to ever call T0 anyway and removed it from all my posts.

 

[Vancbiker]

It’s pretty trivial from a logic standpoint to deal with T0. If the builder does not want to allow it, then a check for allowed range of data when the T code from the CNC is received by the PMC should catch an out of range value and raise an alarm. If T0 was to be allowed then an immediate branch to output the TFIN signal to the CNC is all that it takes from the PMC. Cancelling the tool offset with T0 is handled by the CNC.