Hello
I am looking for a little help. I have a 440, and its great except one thing. It is very susceptible to electrical noise. I have narrowed down the problem to the flood coolant pump. I remedy the problem by starting the flood coolant before I cycle start.
I want to add a dwell time to the post processor of 5 seconds after M8. I am not a big coder, nor do I want to be. I have added a line to the post processor code to do what I want but it is not conditional. Meaning there is a 5 second delay after the spindle starts no matter if there is an M8 command or not. It isnt a deal breaker but I would like a more elegant/proper coding. So, the dwell time toggles with the M8 command.
Can anyone help?
Thanks
Brian
Naturally I figure it out once I ask the question. So I will post my solution for others.
Solution:
Fusion 360 Post Processor revision 44195
Add line 1621, insert following:
if (c){
writeBlock(gFormat.format(4), "P" + 5.0); //used to add a 5 second dwell for coolant to flow BSAT
}
else{""}
Of course this is at your own risk, I would recommend do some practice/test runs before relying on this code. But if you have a 440(perhaps others) & get erratic behavior and you run flood coolant. This might help.
As an alternative, check out David Loomes’ post process at xoomspeed.com. Not only does it include a coolant dwell time (user adjustable from within Fusion as I recall), it also provides a LOT of additional functionality, including spindle reversing for the 440 with an IO board which allows for tapping. I’ve been using his post for a few years now. He hasn’t updated it in a while, but there’s really no need to.
Xoomspeed post processor
2 Likes
I will certainly check that out
Thanks
Interesting…have you diagnosed any further on a root cause of the pump and noise interference and/or submitted a ticket with support to investigate further? What pump/flood kit are you using? The grey one in the 440 kit or upgraded? Curious as to what is the issue having a 440 and looking to actually upgrade my pump.
Thanks for finding and posting the start delay (I should also really give Xoomspeed’s post-processor a try). The stock 440 flood cooling pump, even with the optional check valve, almost never seems to flow coolant by the time it loads the right tool and gets to position for cutting to start on the first cycle after being powered on and then sometimes seems to drain between ops/fixture changes/etc.
I’ve used Zoomspeed from day 1 on my 1100mx, 3.5 yrs now- I hope David continues to update it when needed
1 Like
I have a home made coolant system, little over $100 all in with an additional washdown hose. The nice hoses were the expensive parts… I made my own drain plate with a 90 degree fitting and some tygon tube to a 12 gallon tote bin. I used pvc and and loc line for a 3 nozzle setup. Now that I have the manifold how I like it I will make it out of metal. PVC is a nice way to test fit a design, lol.
I bought my machine used and it didnt come with a coolant system. I cant justify the Tormach coolant system $. I do buy their stuff to support them best I can, but there is a limit. Its a small sump pump how it creates enough noise to upset the machine boggles my mind but Im not going to get an o-scope and buy hardware to clean up the noise when a software delay will do.
I did checkout Xoom speed and its really nice, I did learn some things by looking at his post processor code & made my delay adjustable and added it tot he post process out put in fusion. Im sure most machines could benefit from that option. More post processors should come with that setting available.
How do you like the 1100mx? It is on my radar for later this year. I would like to see a 1100mx vs 1100M shootout, see just how big the difference really is. BUT, the 1100mx is on my radar.
The mx has been great overall… I dont have flood or ATC… figured U could always add them… if I was buying today I would get the 1500 for sure… stripped down the 1500 not much more$ and a way way better machine imo
Ed
Maybe try a simple inline power filter or a contactor and have it powered from another branch.
Software is free & I learned a little about post processors.
Make your own food coolant, its cheap. Atc i have mixed feelings on. Depends on your work. ATC is pricey. I was looking at a stripped down 1100mx. Make upgrades if needed.
Yes, If I decide to use Flood I will make my own - not thrilled with Tormachs low pressure pump
right now I use a dual nozzle fog buster - working fine really
1 Like
My machine started out as a relatively base model M and I’ve since upgraded it to an MX with all the bells and whistles. The BT30 spindle is the killer feature for sure. Much faster and easier tool changes and no need to futz around with the drawbar adjustment to try and find the sweet spot between no pull out, and easy tool release. The boost in rapid speeds doesn’t seem like much but for adaptive toolpaths or production runs it makes a big difference.
FWIW, my 1100MX is for sale at the moment, I’m looking to upgrade to the 1500 and while I don’t HAVE to unload the 1100, it would make the converstion with the Mrs easier if I did!
Further comments to share some of my research on flood as I found it while I’m reworking my 440 flood system.
It seems like the plumbing from pump the nozzle is an issue (but a bigger pump won’t hurt). In my case, it may have been intentional to choke the flow due to the limited drainage (which I have massively upgraded).
A different coolant head for the 440 and 5/8” ID hoses with the stock 3 GPM seems to perform better.
For the 1100MX - if someone reading this hasn’t seen this thread - Coolant upgrade - #7 by Scott_Dube
The drop in upgrade pump and/or changing lines is probably way less work to buy the tank/kit instead of engineering your own from scratch given all the time I’ve spent reworking my 440 because there is no other off the shelf solution I was able to find…
Thats serious flow. I have 3 nozzles, but they are much lower pressure. I have seen that coolant ring looks nice. I dont have atc so for now i just have a pvc coolant manifold.
1 Like
The pump and the hose seem to be very important. I was shocked at the difference between the 1/2 hard tubing and the 5/8 hose flows…
