Schallbert/macro_edingCNC_sorotec

macros for Eding's Computerized Numerical Controllers, specialized for Sorotec portal milling machines

macro_edingCNC_sorotec

Macro subroutine collection for Eding's Computerized Numerical Controllers, specialized for Sorotec portal milling machines

Preface / Resources

Please visit my website for an in-depth introduction into CNC macros.

"A Macro or subroutine is a collection of instructions written for the CNC interpreter to perform actions. They are often used to automate recurring operations."

There are many good third party resources out there to learn about writing them, e.g. cnccookbook, too.

The macros provided in this repository are somewhat narrowed to EdingCNC's interpreter and are starting off a 'fork' of the non-version-controlled Standard_Macro_V2-1e by Sorotec.

Disclaimer

⚠️ Warning: Usage and tryout of macros on a physical machine are kind of risky. There's no safety net. One variable entered incorrectly, a parameter with a wrongly placed decimal separator, or simply a line with an error may lead to severe damage of machine, material, and even injuries. Use the provided macros carefully and at your own risk. I do not take any liability.

💡 Idea: When you write a new routine, use of Code M00 might simplify testing your routine. This code will pause the macro and wait for user input (Cycle Start) to continue.

Folder structure of this repo

This repository has two folders for assets:

• dialogPictures that keeps images presented in the dialog message boxes
• op_f_key that keeps icons of 'user' macro's function buttons

The images are pulled by EdingCNC based on their file names. For dialog pictures, e.g. the dlgmsg's title parameter has to exactly match the corresponding file name in dialogPictures. Within the user folder, icon names have to match the corresponding user macro number, e.g. U3 for user sub user_3.

User Macro routines in this repository

Sub user_1: find Z-Zero

Uses a tool length sensor (alternatively, a 3D edge finder) to detect workpiece surface height. Sets local G92 working coordinate offset to Z=0 at this place.

Sub user_2: measure tool length

Determines tool length in the sense of how long it protrudes from the spindle collet.

Sub user_3: check for cutter failure

Basically this routine is intended to re-check an endmill's length after a given job, compare it with the value before, and notify the user in case the tool has become "shorter".

Sub user_4: spindle warmup

Some spindle manufacturers specify a spindle warmup profile. Dwell times and spindle speed can be entered using a config routine so the requested ramp can be executed.

Sub user_5: tool change

Calls change_tool, continue reading on my blog

Sub user_6: tool change per G43 length offset (tool table)

Just asks the operator to manipulate the tool, will apply the tool length offset for that tool (no measurement here!)

Sub user_8: find XY center (edge finder)

Geometrical detection of the center of a bore.

Sub user_10: go to machine Zero

Sub config: Configures basic macro settings

In here, you can define where on the machine tool length measurements shall take place, How high the tool length sensor is, enter the position of the spindle collet, define spindle warmup ramp parameters, etc.

Eding's Macro routines

Sub home_z: reference machine's Z-axis zero

Sub home_y: reference machine's Y-axis zero

Sub home_x: reference machine's X-axis zero

Sub home_a: reference machine's A-axis zero

Sub home_b: reference machine's B-axis zero

Sub home_c: reference machine's C-axis zero

Sub home_all: home all active machine's axes

Calls all active axes' home routine, order is ZYX ABC

Variables

As per EdingCNC handbook R4.03 chapter 3.1 "Systemparameters/ -variables", RS274 NGC defines variables in the range of #1...#5400. Some of those parameters are read-only, some system-specific, some volatile and some others permanent. Let's shed some light here:

Properties

• Parameters have the double precision floating point number data type.
• EdingCNC's parameter range is higher than defined in the standard, it ranges until #5999.
• Parameters are nameless which can make writing macros a pretty cumbersome process.

Set / Get

• A parameter can be assigned in a macro file as simply as this: #100 = 47.11 which assigns the number 47.11 to the parameter with ID #100.
• A parameter can be evaluated with different statements, example: IF [[#5011] == [#5008]] THEN ... for a deeper syntax overview, please refer to the EdingCNC handbook.

Volatile

Variables in range #26...#3999 are volatile and can be used by the programmer to store data temporarily. The data assigned in this range is deleted on power off or in the event of an alarm/emergency stop.

Permanent

The variable range #4000...#4999 are stored permanently on the system. They are free to be used. They keep their value also when powered down, after an emergency stop etc. EdingCNC uses some of these variables per default, e.g. #4995...#4999.

ID	name	description
#4995	toolLengthSensorHeight	Saves height of tool length sensor for correctly setting Z-zero
#4996	toolLengthSensorFlyover	Safety height above tool length sensor (recommended: machine Z0)
#4997	toolLengthSensorPosX	X-position of the tool length sensor
#4998	toolLengthSensorPosY	Y-position of the tool length sensor
#4999	toolLengthSensorChuck	Switching point of the tool length sensor when no tool in spindle

System-reserved

Generally speaking, the variable range from #5000...#5999 should be avoided by the programmer - most of them are used system-internally or have intentionally been left blank.

Write-protected

1. #1...#26 ; Code for letters where #1=A, #26=Z. Can be used in subroutines and macros.
2. #5001...#5006 ; Current machine position where #5001=X-axis and so on.
3. #5008 ; Current tool number
4. #5009 ; Current tool's radius
5. #5010 ; Current tool's Z-offset
6. #5011 ; Incoming tool number on tool change
7. #5012...#5014 ; Current tool's G43 offset (tool table)
8. #5051...#5056 ; Sensor position in machine coordinates
9. #5061...#5066 ; Sensor position in work coordinates
10. #5067 ; Flag that is written to true if sensor has triggered during a Z-sensing run G38.2
11. #5068 ; sensor's trigger point on Z-axis (machine coordinates)
12. #5069 ; Handwheel step count
13. #5070 ; spindle speed S in r/sec
14. #5071...#5076 ; Current machine position (machine coordinates)
15. #5081...#5086 ; Sensor position in joint coordinate system
16. #5101...#5106 ; MCA Machine Change Area negative limit: Area the machine may not penetrate in normal operation, e.g. to protect vices
17. #5111...#5116 ; MCA Machine Change Area positive limit
18. #5121...#5126 ; Machine's home position (machine coordinates)
19. #5131...#5133 ; TCA Tool Change Area negative limit: Area the machine may only access for tool changes
20. #5242...#5143 ; TCA Tool Change Area positive limit
21. #5150 ; Machine's coordinate type. 1 = Trivial/Cartesian 2 = 4th axys cylinder as Y-axis Virtual C-axis 4-17 = reserved 18-30 = user defined
22. #5151 ; flag showing ZHC Z-height compensation status where true = active
23. #5152 ; flag showing Spindle status where true = on
24. #5161...5166 ; G28 parking position one's axis values (machine coordinates)
25. #5181...5186 ; G30 parking position two's axis values (machine coordinates)
26. #5190 ; G68 flag showing rotation of coordinate system where true = active
27. #5191...#5193 ; Axis rotation point (machine coordinates)
28. #5194...#5196 ; Axis rotation angle around rotation point
29. #5200 ; flag showing G51 scaling of coordinate system where true = active
30. #5204 ; Non-uniform scaling: scale factor X
31. #5205 ; Non-uniform scaling: scale factor Y
32. #5206 ; Non-uniform scaling: scale factor Z always 1.0
33. #5390 ; flag showing active Spindle selection, M90 = 0 M91 = 0 M92 = 2, M93 = 3, default 0
34. #5391...#5393 ; active spindle offset X-Z
35. #5394...#5397 ; maximum spindle speed for spindles 0...3

Working

@TODO: Add asset folder for icons and show images of macro execution within EdingCNC.