Connect a PathPilot-Controlled CNC Machine

Owned by Daniel Rogge
Last updated: Dec 09, 2024 by Amanda Lucas
3 min read

The PathPilot robot control can connect to multiple PathPilot CNC controllers, which allows you to create robot programs that interact with CNC machines. When properly set up, the CNC machine model is brought into the robot control, providing collision avoidance. This section demonstrates connecting to a PathPilot CNC machine and setting up the machine offsets that will ensure collision-free programming. We’ll use an 1100M as an example, but the connection works with all Tormach mills.

Update the Machine Tool Software

To connect your milling machine to the robot, you must first update the software on your mill to PathPilot v2.10 or later. Download the latest version from the PathPilot support center and install it as an update on the mill controller by using the Update button on the Settings tab.

Enable Robot Communication from the Mill’s Controller

From the mill’s PathPilot controller, on the Settings tab, select the ZA Robot Arm Support checkbox.

za_robot_arm_support_settings.png

Connect to a Network

  1. For the robot’s PathPilot controller to talk to the mill’s PathPilot controller, you must connect both to a local area network (LAN). While this could be done over Wi-Fi, we recommend a wired network connection. Both the robot and the mill controller use the native Ethernet port for machine control, so connecting to a LAN over Ethernet requires a USB-Ethernet adapter. You can use USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Network Adapter (PN 39133) or similar.
    Connecting both controllers to a LAN with internet access gives you additional functionality, like the ability to receive automatic network updates, to use Dropbox for file transfer, or to use robot programs to connect with the outside world with, for example, text messaging.

  2. When both controllers have been network connected, verify internet access by using a web browser (or a similar method).

Discover, Name, and Select a CNC Machine

  1. On the Settings tab, any available PathPilot CNC controller that has not yet been connected appears as a discovered instance.

  2. Select Add to add a discovered machine.

  3. In the dialog box that appears, type a name for the machine.

  4. After naming the machine, it appears as an available machine (assuming it’s still powered on and connected to the network). The green LED next to the name you chose indicates if the machine is online.

Change the Machine Geometry Offsets to Match the Physical Setup

After adding and naming the PathPilot CNC controller, the machine tool appears in the main window along with the robot. Until you offset the machine’s position, the robot and the machine tool will share a zero location, so they'll overlap in the visualization.

  1. To offset the machine to match the physical set up of your robot and machine tool, use the Machine Offsets tab of the Offsets tab.

  2. The visualization updates to show the position of the robot and the machine tool.