Free semi Automatic Toolchanger

[Guldberg]

Well almost free...Anyway, i think everybody that has built and are operating a router dreams of having an automatic toolchanger, at least i do:-) Most people that have dug into the subject of ATC knows it isnt that easy to make, so why not go for the second best (and much much) easier solution, a semi automatic toolchanger.
Its quite simple, so proberly somebody else made it before me, actually its kind of a rip-off of another idea i saw and made here on the "zone", a touch plate used for auto setting the tool height.
With semi automatic, the only thing you have to do is to...change the tool...okay, that doesnt sound that impressing, but what you dont have to do is to jog around, and most importent of all you dont have to think about toolheight. You just change the tool, hits enter and your back cutting again

Here is how it works:
'ToolChange Macro For semi automatic toolchanging'
Sub Main()
OldTool = GetCurrentTool
x = GetToolChangeStart( 0 )
y = GetToolChangeStart( 1 )
z = GetToolChangeStart( 2 )
tool = GetSelectedTool()
NewTool = tool
'Tool Changer Macro (Bed Type)
TCX = 500 'X position where to change tool'
TCY = 500 'Y position where to change tool'
TCZ = -80 'Z position where no tool will hit touch plate'
ToolUp = 0.0 'Z Height to Rapid'
If NewTool = OldTool Then
Exit Sub
End If

Code "G00 G53 Z" & ToolUp 'Retract tool to safe position'
While IsMoving()
Wend
DoSpinStop ()
Code "G00 G53 X" & TCX & "Y" & TCY 'Go to change position'
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G00 G53 Z" & TCZ 'Lower to change position to save time'
While IsMoving()
Wend

REM Context 10001
If IsSuchSignal (22) Then 'Lower tool until it touches plate'
code "G31 Z-114 F50"
While IsMoving()
Wend
OldTool_Z = GetOEMDRO(2) 'Get the z coordinate'
code "G0 G53 Z0" 'Retracts to allow for toolchange'
While IsMoving()
Wend
End If

MsgAnswer=MsgBox("Insert tool number " & NewTool & " and press ok", 1, "Change Tool " & OldTool & " -> " & NewTool) 'Prompts user to insert tool'
If MsgAnswer=2 Then
SetCurrentTool( OldTool )
DoOEMButton(1003)
Exit Sub
End If

REM Context 10001
Code "G00 G53 Z" & TCZ 'Lower to change position to save time'
While IsMoving()
Wend
If IsSuchSignal (22) Then 'Lower tool until it touches plate'
code "G31 Z-200 F50"
While IsMoving()
Wend
SetDRO(2,OldTool_Z) 'Get the z coordinate'
code "G0 G53 Z0" 'Retracts to safe position'
While IsMoving()
Wend
End If

SetCurrentTool( NewTool )
Code "G00 X" & x & " Y" & y 'Move back to where the tool change was prompted
End Sub
Main

You will find that if the tool is to far away from the touch plate it will take quite some time to reach it. I haven't tested it yet but i made a spring based touch plate so i can rapid or go fast down the first time until it hits, retract a milimeter and slowly lower bit until it hits

Feel free to ask question, the solution is so simple that it should be standard on all routers:-)

[appicnc]

Hello

I have designed and built a ATC that works in the protype stage, I am having some of the steel parts CNC'd ( not sure my lathe skills and tools are that good ) this week, it is basically a air over a spring system ( spring pulls the arbor in all the time - air pushes the arbor out ( to change ).

I am using Mach 2 and don't understand the tool change code so was thinking of using M7 to trip a solenoid valve and send the changer to the tool position using Gcode, if you are interested I'll post some pics here when I have some more parts and or the assembly finished, a lot of inspiration came from the prototype changer on Dave Kush's site ( builddyouridea.com ) some of my lost foam castings are on the site under the Arcsine users photos )

Ed

[turmite]

appicnc,
Is this something you could share here? If so, why don't you start another thread and hopefully you have photos you can put up for our viewing pleasure!

Guldberg is 100% correct in saying that those of us with home or kit built routers would love an atc. Some of my programs require 7 different bits so you can understand my hope you can post your design here. I simply cannot afford to go out and spend $7000 for a spindle motor to get the atc then have to spend another $2000 for the vfd (that's a guess on $$).

Beg......plead.....beg,beg!

BTW, if you aren a member of the Mach support forum or the Yahoo group you need to join. There is all the help you will need for your understanding of the atc code.

Mike

Originally Posted by appicnc Hello I have designed and built a ATC that works in the protype stage, I am having some of the steel parts CNC'd ( not sure my lathe skills and tools are that good ) this week, it is basically a air over a spring system ( spring pulls the arbor in all the time - air pushes the arbor out ( to change ). I am using Mach 2 and don't understand the tool change code so was thinking of using M7 to trip a solenoid valve and send the changer to the tool position using Gcode, if you are interested I'll post some pics here when I have some more parts and or the assembly finished, a lot of inspiration came from the prototype changer on Dave Kush's site ( builddyouridea.com ) some of my lost foam castings are on the site under the Arcsine users photos ) Ed

[appicnc]

Hello Mike, et all

Yes I will start a new thread and post some photos, I am self employed and am fairly busy at the moment but will get around to it in next day or so, as well as the photos.

I am hoping to get the machined parts today or tomorrow ( before the weekend ) ( I'm in Australia ) and will post those photos.

I am a member of the Mach1Mach2cnc group.

Thanks for the feedback.

Ed

[Guldberg]

I was going for the ATC solution to, but for a start a semi auto will do. For 1 hour of work i think its worth it:-) I spend countless hours surfing buildyouridea, especially the ATC site. I wrote him a mail and asked him if he abandon the idea and he wrote me back it just was to much work making the toolholders without a CNC lathe. Im in the process of making one, so until then this have to do

And please make a thread with the project, you can have enough inspiration:-)

[smoker]

Hi, this is very nice and exactly what I am looking for.
But I do not understand the physical setup.
Is this touch plate connected with wires to Mach 3 input and a wire to the router?

Do you have by any chance some kind of wiring diagram?

David

[Guldberg]

Exactly. A wire to a pulled up input pin (hobbycnc board i.e.) and a wire from the router to ground. Thats it:-)