This was the first machine I ever fitted a KFlop too, and although initially running it on Mach3 for the first couple years (my previous lathe ran Mach3 with a SmoothStepper), after yet another crash where Mach sent the unlocked and spinning tool turret into the still spinning spindle, I finally jumped to KMotionCNC. Since moving to KMCNC, the only crashes have been operator error
I retrofitted it with a KFlop+Kanalog combo, Kinco servos, and added a Click PLC to handle the turret (the Konnect board didn't exist when this was retrofitted, so a PLC was the easiest option).
Cable trunking helps to hide a multitude of sins!
I thought I had more photos, but can't currently find them, but here's a video of the turret working-
The only thing it's had done since the original retrofit and move to KMCNC, is I finally created a custom screen a few months ago to show a few key statuses-
Found a couple more photos.
This is the original electrical cabinet-
It originally used a Baldor Eurostep controller with Parker stepper drivers (all rack mounted), along with a custom control card for handling the tool turret.
As part of my retrofit, I replaced the stepper motors with a 700W servo on the Z axis, and a 400W servo on the X axis.
And my comment in my first post about cable trunking hiding a multitude of sins, this was a photo nearing completion, but prior to everything being hidden back in the trunking -
Creating tidy wiring is an artform, which is why I've come to rely on making sure to use large trunking in any new control boxes I've built!
PLC code is attached.
It's been a few years since I sold this machine, but I think the two required files are Baraffaldi_Main<with date of last edit>, and Baraffaldi_Position.
The main contains the code for carrying out the position changes, with the Position simply a subroutine to calculate the position from the encoder (and IIRC store it in a variable).
The communication for transferring position info was handled via Modbus, with one KFlop -> CLICK output to signal to the CLICK that it was safe to change position, and one CLICK -> KFlop input to acknowledge that the turret was on the required position and locked.
The screen is also attached.
I've also attached the complete C archive, as the tool change functionality spans a few files.
Personally, if I was to do a similar machine again, I'd just use a Konnect board, as when I retrofitted this machine, the Konnect board didn't exist, and the Kanalog board didn't have enough inputs to handle the turret (and I couldn't be bothered building a buffer board to use more of the KFlop inputs!)
Just acquired a Mazak Quick Turn 8N. About to start on a few simple parts with Mazatrol programming but I would much rather just run gcode like my other machines. Due to the daisy chain wiring of the servo and spindle drives I may be gutting a lot!
I will go the Konnect route. Just want to have a good handle on the code before pulling wires.
Thanks again for posting your code. Should help greatly.
