spindle gripper questions

[Garwood]

Is it possible to write a macro program that could call a tool in a random tool magazine to a position other than the spindle? Say you wanted to call tool 5 to 3 places away from the ready tool position- Could you use a Macro to look at the tool magazine registration data, find tool 5, find which tool # was 3 places away from tool 5 and then call that tool up to the ready position thereby placing tool 5 in the magazine position you wanted?

I'm sure this is entirely dependent on machine and how the builder made the toolchanger, but is there any potential method to lock the tool magazine while a program is running? Something that would act as an interlock so the magazine can't rotate while parts were being exchanged?

GSW-B Shaft interface for grippers

SCHUNK is the international technology leader in toolholding and workholding, gripping technology and automation technology.

schunk.com

I want to use a pair of spring closed spindle grippers. One loads, one unloads. I want to load and unload parts through the tool magazine.

 

[Vancbiker]

It is almost certain that you would need to do some pretty complex mods to the ladder logic program to achieve what you want to do.

 

[bryan_machine]

I was thinking "uh, probably..." until "I want to load and unload parts through the tool magazine..."

OK, there are machines where the tool mag can be loaded/unloaded without the tool going through the spindle, usually 5 axis machines, and on a such a machine you could use tool holders as "pallets" and load parts that way. If you are going to "turn" the part, this works (the actual tools are stick tools affixed to the table.)

But Garwood, you seem to want to load a part (presumably in some "pallet" tool) into the ATC, and then put that part into a vise, machine it normally, then pull it out.

Or am I misundertanding you?

Also, I don't see how fiddling with the pot address in the ATC helps....

 

[Garwood]

The idea was a load station that can load blanks and unload parts from the tool mag of a vmc or hmc.

With two grippers getting a part in and out would be a toolchange.

 

[bryan_machine]

OK, how about this:
1. There is some kind of M-code activated vise.
2. There is a pool of "tool holders" (cat-40 base, say) which are really grippers for stock - held closed by springs - high pressure TSC *OPENS* their grip.
3. Load a number of these tool-holder/pallets with stock, and load them into the ATC. They're just tools say number 100 to 150...
4. Tool change to the "tool" with the part.
5. Move to the vise, press down with part (some fiddling required), close vise, apply TSC, back away.

All of that got the part into the vise.

Now use a schunk style gripper to unload the part and pile it on a tray in the corner of the machine.

This does not need ladder changes, or knowing anything about what tool or tool-pallet is where in the ATC.

 

[Garwood]

OK, how about this:
1. There is some kind of M-code activated vise.
2. There is a pool of "tool holders" (cat-40 base, say) which are really grippers for stock - held closed by springs - high pressure TSC *OPENS* their grip.
3. Load a number of these tool-holder/pallets with stock, and load them into the ATC. They're just tools say number 100 to 150...
4. Tool change to the "tool" with the part.
5. Move to the vise, press down with part (some fiddling required), close vise, apply TSC, back away.

All of that got the part into the vise.

Now use a schunk style gripper to unload the part and pile it on a tray in the corner of the machine.

This does not need ladder changes, or knowing anything about what tool or tool-pallet is where in the ATC.

I see potential there, but not sure it's what I was thinking.

I was thinking the tool magazine load station could be kinda simple to integrate. It would be well isolated from chips and coolant for machines without pallet changers.

 

[Booze Daily]

I assume a side mount toolchanger? Make the gripper tool a large tool so it goes back in the same pot.
Make the tool 3 pots away a large tool so it goes back in the same pot. Pre-stage that tool when you want to load/unload.