Multiple spindles on Mach 3 mill

I am relatively familiar with setting up and running Mach 3 Mill on single spindled machine. Does anyone have any experience on setting up Mach 3 to run multiple spindles?

I realize I can change my offset for the X and Y difference from the primary spindle, but what is the best way to turn the other spindles on or off?

The machine I am considering for a retrofit has 3 router spindles. They all use the same variable frequency drive, so I need to select different ouputs for the motor contactors, but the speed control is the same for all of them.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated:)

If there are three independent Z axis, Mach has a "swap axis" fuction. So while you may have them set up as Z, A, and B, You only need to use Z in your g-code. You just call the swap axis to switch between spindles. I don't know the exact syntax of the command, but it's something like swapaxis(1,4).

You'll probably need some cutom macros and outputs to turn them on or off.

This is a single z-axis machine with multiple spindles attached to it. A swap azis would not work, so it sounds like I will have to create macros for the other spindles.

Is the macro programming pretty straight-forward on the Mach 3?

I think you can use spare M functions for certain outputs. Setup something like this:

M03 spindle 1 on/off
M** spindle 2 on/off
M** spindle 3 on/off

Then add in the appropriate x y offsets in your g code and maybe the swap axis as Gerry had explained and you should be in business.

Matt

Thanks for the input keebler. That will probably do the trick.

I have been going back and forth trying to decide if I want to use Mach3 for this CNC retrofit, or CamSoft. The Mach3 method will be a lot less expensive, but I don't want to run into a lot of downtime writing macros, etc.

I saw your write up. Jomijen, did you figure something out for your multiple z axis? I was interested to see what you can up with. I have been contemplating putting my laser, cam scanner and spindle on one plate and being able to use the different ones when needed.

There is another way. Create a master M3 macro that uses a Param call.

M3 P1 would turn on and setup Spindle #1
M3 P2 would turn on and setup Spindle #2
M3 P3 would turn on and setup Spindle #3

You could set up all the parameters such as the output signal to activate correct relay
AND setup the XY offsets to align the spindle correctly.

Then M5 would simple shut off all 3 outputs and remove any offsets so it reverts back to spindle #1

Just a thought, (;-) TP