The programs have line numbers for easy identification during the instructions.  When using these files none of these line numbers can be in the file.  The highlighted lines in the program are the lines you need to add to the cutting path program for automatic tool changes. 

This programming example assumes the Tool Pallet has been installed along the left edge of the table along the Y-axis with the machine 0,0 in the lower left hand corner. If your table is setup differently contact Technical Support for different setup and execution files.

Defining The Variables for VARIABLS.SBP
This programming method uses a file to set the variables required to operate the system. This file is called VARIABLS.SBP and is run during the SETUP.SBP file which is run before any program which utilize automatic tool changes.  There are some variables which MUST be set by the user before the system can be used.

Programming Files
Several files are required to operate the Tool Changer in addition to the cutting file.  The files that come with the Tool Changer need to be placed in the location C:\ MRTPROG.  If the files are placed in a different location, some files may need to be changed to look in the other location for the required files.  The SETUP.SBP will be used for every program which requires a tool change so it is recommended that this file be assigned to a Custom Cut number so access is available to this program from any folder.

Tool Holder Location
A file is included which will automatically find the center of the Tool Holder when it is properly located in the Tool Bay. This file is called TL-FINDV.SBP. The following steps are required to use this file:

•  Zero the machine at machine 0,0
•  Insert a ¼” shaft into one of the Tool Holders. This can be a broken ¼” shaft bit, a dowel pin or anything with a clean and uniform circular end profile.
•  Insert a Tool Holder in Tool Bay #1.  Attach the grounding wire with the two alligator clips from the bottom of the Tool Holder to the grounding plate attached to your machine. The Tool Holder must be oriented so that the anti-rotation slots are at a 45° angle to the Tool Pallet.
•  Manually load the Tool Holder  with the 1/4" shaft into the Tool Changer .
•  Position the tool bit ~ ¼” above the center of the Tool Holder.

The program will find the top of the Tool Holder and then probe the outside of the Tool Holder for 2 points on the Y-axis. The program calculates the center of these points and probes 2 points on the X-axis using the calculated Y value. The program saves the center points for Tool Holder #1. The program pauses and prompts for the grounded Tool Holder to be moved to the next Tool Bay.   Hit any key to continue once the Tool Holder has been moved .  The process continues till all the Tool Bay centers have been identified. The program then writes the centers to a file called TLPOSTN.SBP which will be located in the directory where the SB.EXE file resides.  Open this file and copy the contents to the VARIABLS.SBP file in the locations requested in lines 24-39.   (See the Video Page for a demonstration of the TL-FIND.SBP program)

&DELTAZEROPLATES
The next variable that needs assignment is &DELTAZEROPLATES.  This is the difference between the zero plate when placed on the table top to the zero plate on the Fixed Tool Holder. To find this value insert a Tool Holder (without a tool bit is preferable) into the Tool Changer. Using your zero plate, zero on the top of the table. Lift the Tool Changer and move it to the center of the grounding plate on the Fixed Tool Pallet. Lower the Tool Changer till contact is made with the zero plate.  Record this value for the &DELTAZEROPLATES in line 12 of VARIABLS.SPB.

Zero Plate Thickness
Enter the thickness of your zero plate in line 19 of VARIABLS.SBP for the variable &ZEROPLATETHICK.

Fixed Tool Pallet Zero Plate Center Location
The next variables are the X and Y locations of the center of the zero plate on the Fixed Tool Platform. Make sure the machine is zeroed at the machine 0,0.  Load a Tool Holder with a bit into the Tool Changer and move to the approximate center of the zero plate on the Fixed Tool Platform. Record this value and replace the numbers for the variables &XZEROLOCATION and &YZEROLOCATION in lines 41 and 44.   The previous variables need to be defined only once.  These variables are now stored to the VARIABLS.SBP file.

 

SETUP.SBP
The Z axis reference point for the MRT Tool Changer is the bottom of the collet chuck with no Tool Holder installed.  This is a stable location and will not change so all measurements done in the Z axis must to be done with no Tool Holder in the Tool Changer.

This programming method uses the home position or machine 0,0 as a reference for the locations of the Tool Holders.  If the part you are cutting does not have its 0,0 point at the machine 0,0, the X and Y offset of the local part 0,0 in relation to the machine 0,0, needs to be programmed so the Tool Changer will be positioned correctly in order to accomplish tool changes.  This is done with the SETUP.SBP program.  This file is run just before any program requiring an automatic tool change.  Since this file will be used often, it is recommended that it be assigned to a Custom Cut.  This way access to this file will be available from any directory.  The SETUP.SBP program operates as follows:

    SETUP.SBP

•  Line 4-6 - Set some variables
•  Line 7 - Runs the VARIABLS.SBP file which sets the variables required for automatic tool changes.
•  Line 8 - Asks for user input for the X offset in relation to the machine 0,0 for where the file will be cut.
•  Line 9 - Asks for user input for the Y offset in relation to the machine 0,0 for where the file will be cut.
•  Lines10 - Jogs to the X, Y offset location
•  Lines 11 -12 Asks user to put the zero plate under router.  The plate must be put on top of the part Z axis  zero.  This is usually the top of the material or the top of the table.
•  Line 14 - Instructs program to go the subroutine STOPRETURN on contact with the zero plate
•  Line 13 - 22 - Blows off the zero plate
•  Line 14 - Lowers the router and goes to STOPRETURN on contact with the zero plate

STOPRETURN

•  Lines 56-60 - Lifts Tool Changer .25" and resets a slower Z axis move speed
•  Line 61 - Returns to the main program

SETUP.SBP

•  Line 25 - Instructs program to go the subroutine SETZERO on contact with the zero plate
•  Line 27 - Lowers the Tool Changer till contact  with zero plate and goes to SETZERO subroutine

SETZERO

•  Lines 67 - Zeros the Z value to the part 0,0
•  Line 69 - Raises the Tool Changer to clear the Tool Pallet zero plate
•  Line 73 - Resets the Z axis move speed and returns to the main program

SETUP.SBP

•  Lines 30-31 - Jogs to the center of the Tool Pallet zero plate
•  Line 69 - Raises the Tool Changer to clear the Tool Pallet zero plate
•  Line 73 - Resets the Z axis move speed and returns to the main program
•  Lines 32 - 43 - Makes contact with the zero plate, raises .25" makes contact again and goes to the PLATFORMZERO subroutine

PLATFORMZERO

•  Line 79 - Sets the ZEROPLATE variable to the distance between the part Z zero and the Tool Pallet zero plate and returns to the main program

SETUP.SBP

•  Line 48 - Lifts the Tool Changer up by 1/4"
•  Line 49 - Jogs 6" in the +X direction to clear the Tool Pallet

The Tool Changer is now ready to cut a file with automatic tool changes.

FP Command With The ,,,,,2 Offset Option
In this method of programming, the file with the tool paths is cut from inside another file using the FP command with the ,,,,,2 2dD offset option.  This runs the cutting file using the part 0,0 instead of the machine 0,0. 

Running the TESTPROG.SBP  File
To cut the sample program, TESTPROG.SBP, a 12 x 12 piece of material at least 1/4" thick must be secured to the table.   A 1/4" bit must be loaded into a Tool Holder and placed in Tool Bay #1.  An 1/8" bit must be loaded into another Tool Holder and loaded into Tool Bay #2.  Run the OFFSETUP.SBP program to load the tool offsets for at least these two tools.  Run the SETUP.SBP program and enter the approximate center of the 12"x12" board as the X and Y offset.  Place the zero plate on top of the 12"x12" piece of material as the top surface was programmed as the Z axis zero and press any key to continue.  Once finished, run the TESTPROG.SBP and it will cut the file with a tool change.

An explanation of the files follows: