Fanuc 31i Spindle Tool Number Macro

[JakeL]

While I go searching through the manuals I figured I'd throw this question here.

I have an application where I need to access the number of the tool currently in the spindle. I'm hoping there's a macro that holds this information so it's easily accessible? If so, does anyone happen to know the macro number?

I'm on a Matsuura H.Plus-630, Fanuc 31i control. TIA for any help!

[Brad St]

Don't quote me but is #544 hold the value for the current tool # in the spindle?

[JakeL]

Don't quote me but is #544 hold the value for the current tool # in the spindle?

Doesn't look like it. Currently #544 = .024... However, #517 / #518 have the correct number in them, but not sure if that is just coincidence, more investigation needed.

I was originally looking for a system variable, I hadn't considered that the number could be held in a 500 variable.

I did find #4120, but this gives the modal T code. So if we prestage a tool, #4120 = the prestage tool number which is not desired.

Thanks for the reply!

[CNCAppsJames]

... I need to access the number of the tool currently in the spindle.
...
I'm on a Matsuura H.Plus-630, Fanuc 31i control. TIA for any help!

There's two possibilities. If the H/D are the same as the T then #517 and #518 hold this info... in Matsuura Machine Tools Only. If the tool in the spindle is using tool life management and it's not the 1st tool in the group, then #4120 (System Variable) holds the "T... HOWEVER... You MUST grab #4120 IMMEDIATELY after the M06 (usually in O9001 in SYSTEM). That variable will change when you stage the next tool.

[JakeL]

There's two possibilities. If the H/D are the same as the T then #517 and #518 hold this info... in Matsuura Machine Tools Only. If the tool in the spindle is using tool life management and it's not the 1st tool in the group, then #4120 (System Variable) holds the "T... HOWEVER... You MUST grab #4120 IMMEDIATELY after the M06 (usually in O9001 in SYSTEM). That variable will change when you stage the next tool.

#517 it is, thanks James!

Is the spindle tool number just not stored anywhere easily accessible? Seems like if #517=H and #518=D then why wouldn't they make #516=T?

Anyway I digress, thanks again!

[CNCAppsJames]

#517 it is, thanks James!

Is the spindle tool number just not stored anywhere easily accessible? Seems like if #517=H and #518=D then why wouldn't they make #516=T?

Anyway I digress, thanks again!

On Matsuura;
#514 = Pallet In Machine (Selway Default - Machine MUST support function, also must activate K48.0 = 1, must set D12420 = 514)
#515 = Speed Assigned in Tool Manager
#516 = Feed Assigned in Tool Manager
#517 = H Number Assigned in Tool Manager
#518 = H Number Assigned in Tool Manager
#519-#53x = Renishaw Tool Measurement Stuff

Oh, also, Active T = #4320 (or [#_ACTT] if you like names).

Hope that explains it.

[MIL-TFP-41]

From Fanuc's manual:

The current tool number is stored in system variable #3939.
The tool No. after tool change is stored from the block after the tool change command. This system
variable is read-only.

System variable No. System variable name Attribute Description
#3939 [#_ATCTOOL] R Current tool number


I have only seen this work on our newest Robodrill. Tho where they named it a system variable I have a feeling we will see it on all of their controls in the future. Hopefully anyways. Would open up possibilities for simplification across different machine tool builders using the same controller.

[CNCAppsJames]

I wonder if [#_ATCTOOL] is specific to RoboDrill? I'm not finding that variable in B-64724EN/01.

[MIL-TFP-41]

I wonder if [#_ATCTOOL] is specific to RoboDrill? I'm not finding that variable in B-64724EN/01.

Possibly. Tho on a Robodrill prestaging tools isn't a thing, so #4120 is fair game anywhere. The [#_ATCTOOL] is me just having wishful thinking using that across multiple MTB's.