Tool Change Scripting
Tool changes are handled by a tool change script defined in the ToolChange.cfg
file. This file should be edited in a standard Windows Text Editor.
During a Tool Change, any valid GCode Block sequence can be executed.
There are separate commands for picking up and putting back each tool
so that each tool can be picked/placed at any location. If a tool is
called for and there is not a valid tool section in the ToolChange.cfg file,
then the last valid tool section defined will be executed.
Example of a basic tool change script for Tool 1.
[TOOL1]
PLACE0=M05
(Turn Off Spindle)
PLACE1=G4 P4
(Pause for Spindle wind down)
PLACE2=G0 Z0.5
(Raise Z above Zero)
PLACE3=G0 X7.000 Y4.770 (Move to a location for manual tool
change)
PLACE4=M0
(Wait for user to change tool and
continue)
PICKUP0=M03
(Turn on Spindle)
PICKUP1=G4 P3
(Wait for Spindle wind up)
Example of an advanced tool change script for Tool 1.
[TOOL1]
PLACE0=G49
(Turn Off TLO's)
PLACE1=M05
(Turn Off Spindle)
PLACE2=G4 P4
(Pause for Spindle wind down)
PLACE3=G0 Z-.5
(Place tool in tool Holder - multiple movements)
PLACE4=G0 X7.000 Y4.770 (Place tool in tool Holder - multiple
movements)
PLACE5=G0 Z-1.960 (Place
tool in tool Holder - multiple movements)
PLACE6=G0 X8.036 Y4.770 (Place tool in tool Holder - multiple
movements)
PLACE7=G0 Z-.5
(Place tool in tool Holder - multiple movements)
PICKUP0=G49
(Turn Off TLO's)
PICKUP1=G0 Z-.5
(Pick Up tool from tool Holder - multiple movements)
PICKUP2=G0 X8.036 Y4.770 (Pick Up tool from tool Holder - multiple
movements)
PICKUP3=G0 Z-1.960 (Pick
Up tool from tool Holder - multiple movements)
PICKUP4=G0 X7.000 Y4.770 (Pick Up tool from tool Holder - multiple
movements)
PICKUP5=G0 Z-.5
(Pick Up tool from tool Holder - multiple movements)
PICKUP6=M3
(Turn on Spindle)
PICKUP7=G4 P3
(Wait for Spindle wind up)
PICKUP8=G43 H1
(Use tool Length Offset for Tool 1)