Multiple Bit Hobby CNC Router, Possible?

[aghobby]

The easiest way to build this is to copy the concept found on the heavy duty woodworking equipement.

The kind of machine that i repair have 8 motor mounted on a rotating plate. The tool hare permanently mounted with a collet on each motor, each time you call a tool change, the plate rotate to point to good motor. It's like a revolver. I think of using this principe on my second machine, using 2 or maybe 4 porter cable router mounted on an aluminium plate rotating with a gearbox with an encoder mounted on it. You only have to program some macros with mach2 an wire home switch on the plate and youre done!! Not easy as talking of it but i think it's the most easy to build. I prefer to work on electronics than complex mechanics.

I have attached a picture of the machine i'm talking about.

[HomeCNC]

An M06 is the tool change code. I change it manually. It is difficult to make an auto tool changer when your using a standard router like a Porter Cable. There is not through the spindle hole to use a draw bar on.

[aghobby]

With the revolver, you not change the tool, but the complete motor, no drawbar needed!!

[tpworks]

Is this something of interest?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/minitoolchanger
http://www.homeshopaccessories.com/