[rob1934]

The Tormach has (2) 120V controlled outlets in the back of the control cabinet. One is for the coolant pump and one is for the collet closer. There's a button on the screen, for each, to toggle them on and off. There are also M codes for a program turn the coolant on and off. I haven't found the M codes to have the program turn on and off the collet closure outlet, yet. I've sent Tormach an email asking, but haven't heard from them. I may use the outlet for the coolant to control the chuck for now. But I know I'll need coolant in the future, so that's just a short term solution. I'm currently running Delrin parts and I'll be setting up a bar puller/gang tooling this week. I'm not standing there for 500 parts!

I mounted a 120V pneumatic valve on the machine and ran the wire with a standard plug to the outlet. The hoses act as the anti-rotation as well. They were supplied with wound wire "spring" covers to keep the chips from melting or wearing the tubing. And I added an SMC brand FRL. Very simple.

I just finished a short run of 100 parts and did it manually. Had to anyway, as it was a 2nd op. I can say I'm very impressed with the chuck! The air fittings were too cheap and the threads didn't seal, and they were for 6MM tubing. New ones solved that.

[dammachines]

The Tormach has (2) 120V controlled outlets in the back of the control cabinet. One is for the coolant pump and one is for the collet closer. There's a button on the screen, for each, to toggle them on and off. There are also M codes for a program turn the coolant on and off. I haven't found the M codes to have the program turn on and off the collet closure outlet, yet. I've sent Tormach an email asking, but haven't heard from them.

Aren't M10/M11 the usual codes for chuck Close/Open control? I believe that's what my AhHa lathe controller uses.

Dave

[rob1934]

Yeah that's typical M code for several controls. But Tormach uses something else. Every time I have a minute, I try a few more. I'm past M100......

M8/9 are the coolant on and off.

Ah, Ok Don, Now I see what your doing. I wasn't understanding. I'll remember that when I'm making Delrin sleeves. Up to this point, I've only made them with a lever style closer on the manual lathe, and it's fussy. I'm already using that style of regulator on mine, for the current parts, I just adjust for good grip and a tad more. I've also yet to make this quantity of parts over 3/4" dia. and all the fixtures I have are 5C. Not to say it won't happen, and if it does, I'll change out the back plate to fit one of my other machines and get the 16c set up, If that's big enough.

About 1/3 of what I run are second ops, so the dead length was a feature I was looking for as well.

[MichaelHenry]

Yeah that's typical M code for several controls. But Tormach uses something else. Every time I have a minute, I try a few more. I'm past M100......

Have you seen this page on Tormach's site:

M-codes Machine Code Reference | Tormach LLC providers of personal small CNC machines, CNC tooling, and many more CNC items.

The section on user-defined M codes may be of interest. I haven't thought about it at all and have minimal programming experience, but could a custom M-code and associated macro be used to do what you want?

Mike

[dammachines]

The section on user-defined M codes may be of interest. I haven't thought about it at all and have minimal programming experience, but could a custom M-code and associated macro be used to do what you want?

Mike

Looks like using a user-defined M code (100-199) calls an external program. From the Lathe Operator Manual:

"The external program named M100 through M199 (no extension and a capital M) is executed with the optional
P and Q values as its two arguments. Execution of the G-code file pauses until the external program exits. Any
valid executable file can be used.
The file must be located in the folder ~/subroutines"

So if you can take a look in the /subroutines directory you should be able to see what, if any, M codes >= 100 defined.

Dave

[rob1934]

Great thought Dave, I'll look in the folder to see if anything is there. While the mill is running tonight, I'll try to break out of the operators screen and see what operating system is behind it.

I read about programming a user M-code too, but there's information missing. Like how to address the relay. I think the language it uses is Visual Basic, but not sure. Still trying to figure out if the lathe is Tormach's re-written Mach program (I don't think so, doesn't it need windows? I don't see the windows logo appear anywhere.) or Linux CNC.

I thought I had enough to learn without becoming a programmer as well! I'll spend some time on it, maybe not so far out of reach as I think.

And - I'll email them again.

[tmarks11]

Still trying to figure out if the lathe is Tormach's re-written Mach program (I don't think so, doesn't it need windows? I don't see the windows logo appear anywhere.) or Linux CNC

I seem to recall on the early email list that they said it was a customized version of LinuxCNC. The user manual does say "PC Linux Control".

Since the collet closer M code is not mentioned in the user manual (although it does say"The AC outlet for an optional pneumatic collet closer is automatically controlled via M-codes"), I would bet that it hasn't been implemented in the controller software yet. Tormach doesn't sell the pneumatic closer yet, so they haven't bothered to update the software.

Did you try calling them and asking?