rapid tool changer

[heilcnc]

does anyone have one of the rapid tool changers from High Tech Systems LLC
what do you think of it im looking to get it for my mini mill cnc that has 3/4 hp spindle motor on it and can run upto 6000 rpm. will this holder with 3/8 carbide end mill let me take .100 deep cuts on aluminium without spinning in the taper that they use to hold the end mill holder? thanks

[austin.mn]

i too want to know.. from the look of it ( http://www.hightechsystemsllc.com/in...s/Page1416.htm ) it appears that it would not be too dificult to build an automatic changer for it. i drooled over the autochanger that was built a couple years ago for the sherline's. i would also like to know about the accuracy of the system.

[heilcnc]

maybe alot of people have not tried it yet?

[AWTECH]

maybe alot of people have not tried it yet?

I was looking for the componets for an automatic tool changer and found this thread. Has anyone used the High Tech System made quick release changer?

If so how does it perform and how are you using it.

[digits]

Hi there - I have a couple of those tool-changers - one 1/2" shank one that I am using on my X-1 and one R8 one that I plan to use in an ATC on my new machine.

My X-1 is not capable of 0.1" cuts or 6,000 rpm, but my new machine should be, so I can't really give you an opinion on how it'll manage that yet! I have the newer version with the ER16 collets and the grooves in the holders that stop them rotating at all - they seem pretty solid to me.

I have to say that I'm really happy with it - tool changes take seconds, and I haven't had to crack out my drawbar spanner or mallet in months

To be honest, it has actually changed the way I run my programs - I now use far more tools per part, and get a better finish because tool-changes are now painless. I am really looking forward to building an ATC though so that I don't have to be around to change the tools myself.

Hope that helps.

[alexccmeister]

Hi Digits,

Any chance of seeing some photos or video of the tool changer in action. I am curious about how it actually works ever since i first heard of it. Thanks.

[austin.mn]

i just picked up a treadmill motor and motor drive for my X2, and once i have that coversion finished up i want to mount that head on my router. my router is all industrial with thk linear slides and ground ballscrews.. so it will be a little nicer to use than the X2 base. anywho, i am glad someone has chimed in with some experience on that tool holder system.

have you measured the runout? i would imagine that it is much better than the .005 on my router. i am working with aluminum almost all the time now and i am tired of the inconcistant cuts that i get with the excessive runout.

[digits]

Hi Digits,

Any chance of seeing some photos or video of the tool changer in action. I am curious about how it actually works ever since i first heard of it. Thanks.

I haven't made any myself, but have you looked on the page on the High Tech Systems site? http://www.hightechsystemsllc.com/in...s/Page2045.htm

I believe the ATC videos are from a thread on here - Two more of Joe's CNC Model 2006 - which is what inspired me to go for an ATC.

[digits]

i just picked up a treadmill motor and motor drive for my X2, and once i have that coversion finished up i want to mount that head on my router. my router is all industrial with thk linear slides and ground ballscrews.. so it will be a little nicer to use than the X2 base. anywho, i am glad someone has chimed in with some experience on that tool holder system.

have you measured the runout? i would imagine that it is much better than the .005 on my router. i am working with aluminum almost all the time now and i am tired of the inconcistant cuts that i get with the excessive runout.

No, I haven't measured it yet - it didn't occur to me D'oh. To be honest, on my X-1, the rigidity of the tool holders is the least of my worries!

[alexccmeister]

Just saw the video on youtube from the company's website. Ok, I get what they mean by rapid tool change. Doesn't LMS sell a system that is automated. i.e. the tool changer does everything for you. Its for the X2. I thought it was that sort of tool changing system.

But I have to admit, the Hightechsystem kit is fast.

[digits]

Just saw the video on youtube from the company's website. Ok, I get what they mean by rapid tool change. Doesn't LMS sell a system that is automated. i.e. the tool changer does everything for you. Its for the X2. I thought it was that sort of tool changing system.

But I have to admit, the Hightechsystem kit is fast.

Have you seen the price of the Z-bot changer on LMS? It's $1150, and it only seems to exist as a CAD render. You'd also need a compressed air supply.

Did you see the video of the router with a quick-changer and a tool rack working as a full auto-changer? There are even CAD drawings for the tool rack in that thread I linked to...

I will have to come up with something slightly different for a tool-rack for the ER16 version though - the tool holders lengths vary depending on how far down the ER16 nut can be screwed, which is collet and tool dependent.

[alexccmeister]

Will check out the video. The price is high at LMS. Has abyone actually got a set from them since its just computer rendering so far?