Hoss ATC Project

[hoss2006]

Originally Posted by chris123 I've never had an order this larger but I just ask for too much money up front and plenty of time to make the parts, I usually never hear from them again, usually. My current order, should be finished this weekend parts10 - Servimg.com - Free image hosting service

I should have been more specific, they wanted (60) complete 16 Tool ATC units like the one that I built.
http://www.hossmachine.info/images/1...Change%201.gif
No way Jose I said.
Even with an ATC it would have been too much like work.
What are those brackets for you're making?
Hoss

[mwood3]

Originally Posted by hoss2006 I should have been more specific, they wanted (60) complete 16 Tool ATC units like the one that I built. http://www.hossmachine.info/images/1...Change%201.gif No way Jose I said. Even with an ATC it would have been too much like work. What are those brackets for you're making? Hoss

why not just sell them rights

also i agree with chris123...over quote it (if there is such a thing) and get enough up front to sub out the work or hire help id never flat turn down a job unless it was unethical in some sort of way.

[chris123]

Four of them bolt together to make some L shaped guide sled.
They paid in advance for all those parts and others I havnt even started yet. I'm going to buy an RF45 type mill before I start making them

[hoss2006]

Originally Posted by mwood3 why not just sell them rights also i agree with chris123...over quote it (if there is such a thing) and get enough up front to sub out the work or hire help id never flat turn down a job unless it was unethical in some sort of way.

They didn't want to build them, just buy them.
This is supposed to be fun hobby, making the same parts all the time is a job.
Already got one of those.
Don't want to dread the weekends being stuck in the shop, that's why the store has been cut back.
My health is going downhill and I want to have fun while I can.
Laters, Hoss

[hoss2006]

Originally Posted by chris123 Four of them bolt together to make some L shaped guide sled. They paid in advance for all those parts and others I havnt even started yet. I'm going to buy an RF45 type mill before I start making them

Sounds cool, good luck.
You'll be able to fit alot of them on the rf45 table.
Hoss

[chris123]

Originally Posted by hoss2006 Sounds cool, good luck. You'll be able to fit alot of them on the rf45 table. Hoss

That an an auto tool changer will save me a lot of time
Most parts are about 7" x 2" x .5"

[hoss2006]

You could probably do a toolrack version mounted on the table real quick and easy.
Could hold 4-8 tools and not take up much acreage.
The power drawbar would be the toughest part but there are plenty of designs already out there.
Hoss

[chris123]

First I have to get the machine
Then automate it
But that is the plan

[hoss2006]

Originally Posted by chris123 First I have to get the machine Then automate it But that is the plan

Gotcha, one other thing you might consider that could speed up your work
but would be much easier than building the full ATC would be to make a MAD.
YouTube - G0704 MAD V2 Operation
Tool changes in a few seconds but you still have to do them.
The RF45 quill handles should be easier to release the tools.
You could still set the tools up in the tool table like an ATC but set up Mach 3
in the General Config, Tool Change to Stop Spindle, Wait for Cycle Start.
You do a 3 second tool change and hit the green button to carry on.
It's a Semi-Auto Tool Changer.
Just something to think about down the road.
Hoss

[chris123]

Good idea