I have been trying to implement a rotary tool changer,it is rotated with a stepper motor
and I have it set as the "a"axis.I can enter a goa# on the mdi line and the turret works.
I found that a value of 1.64375 X tool # and it will rotate to that tool.Now I want to do it
with a brain or with a vb macro as below I must have something wrong
with this as I cannot get it to work!.I would rather use a brain as I would like to add
funcionality to my machines as I go.My turret is simple
-a pneumatic cylinder holds a lock closed, release with a signal
-read input from limit switch, to indicate lock is released,
- rotate turret and reclamp
-read lose of input from limit switch to indicate all is good.If IsLoading() Then
  ' do now't, program loading
Else

' dim some vars

  Dim next_tool As Integer
  Dim current_tool As Integer
  Dim steps_per_tool As Integer
  Dim max_tools As Integer
  Dim holdingDRO As Integer
  Dim rotateCW As Integer
  Dim moves As Integer
  Dim axis As String
  Dim zero As Integer


' set up some vars

  zero = 0
  axis = a ' change to what ever axis you use for tool changer
  rotateCW = 0 ' set to 1 for CCW and 0 for CW rotation
  max_tools = 8 ' number of tools on turret
  steps_per_tool= 1.64375 ' set to what ever it needs to be
 
 
  holdingDRO=1050 ' or what ever you have set screen dro to
  next_tool = GetSelectedTool()
  current_tool = GetUserDRO(holdingDRO)
 
' do some tool changing

  If next_tool > max_tools Then
    Message "Tool number too high, program stopped."
    Code "M30"
    End
  End If
  If next_tool<1 Then
    Message "Tool number too low, program stopped."
    Code "M30"
    End
  End If
  If next_tool=current_tool Then
    ' do nowt, we got it already
  Else
  ' lets do some changing
    If next_tool>current_tool Then moves=next_tool-current_tool 
    If next_tool<current_tool Then moves=max_tools-current_tool+next_tool
   
    If rotateCW =1 Then
      rapid_move = zero - rapid_move

    End If
    Code "G92 " & axis & "0"
    Code "G91 G94 G61"
    Code "G01 " & axis & rapid_move & "F" & fast_feed
 
    While IsMoving()
    Wend
    Code "G01 " & axis   "F"     While IsMoving()
    Wend
    SetCurrentTool next_tool
    SetUserDRO holdingDRO, next_tool
    Code "G90" ' back to absolute movement
  End If
End If

' end of tool change   

Here is a repost of the M6 for a turret lathe with Paul-pin I posted up a while back:

Sub Main()

NumSlots=8
OldTurretPos=(GetOEMDRO(805))
OldToolSlot=Abs(GetOEMDRO(805)/45)
NextTool = GetSelectedTool()
NextToolSlot = (NextTool-1)*360/NumSlots


If OldToolSlot = NextToolSlot Then
SetCurrentTool(NextTool)
Exit Sub
End If

If NextTool>8 Or NextTool<1 Then
Message("Next Tool out of range")
Exit Sub
End If

MoveDis = (NextToolSlot-OldTurretPos)

 If Abs(MoveDis) >180 Then
   If MoveDis < 0 Then     
     MoveDis = 360 + MoveDis     
   Else     
     MoveDis = MoveDis - 360     
   End If     
 End If
 
ActivateSignal(OUTPUT3)  'Release Turret holding pin
Code "G4 P0.5"
While IsMoving ()       
Wend
Code "G00 G91 C" & MoveDis       
While IsMoving ()       
Wend

DeActivateSignal(OUTPUT3)  'Engage Turret holding pin     

SetCurrentTool(NextTool)
Code "G90"
End Sub

'scott

thanks poppa.I had to tweek it a bit but the tool change is working away nicely
Now on to my more involved tool changer.This one I think will have to
run thru the plc .It is on my mazak miil, 24 pockets, 5 proximity sensors to give an absolute position
lots of io for the tool swap arm and spindle orientate.

Keith, got any pics of the toolchanger on the Mazak? I will be making one for my Beaver mill at some point and I am looking for ideas on the best type to use, a carousel would be the easiest but would like to be able to load the next tool in the arm ready for action
Hood

Hood here are some pictues of the tool changer

Thanks Keith, much appreciated.
Hood