Excelent work, this is going to be another hit within the DIY work i would imagine.
This make me want one in a bad way..... LOL
thanks for sharing your info.
joe
These DXF files are drawn for use with Sheetcam but you can get the dimensions.
Upper Plate
Thickness: .833"
Lower Plate
Thickness: .5"
E-Clip pocket depth: .055"
E-Clip pocket diameter: 1.437
Holder slide depth: .147"
Excelent work, this is going to be another hit within the DIY work i would imagine.
This make me want one in a bad way..... LOL
thanks for sharing your info.
joe
JLT,
Thanks a load for sharing this. As Joe says, this one is going to be a hit and I can just see High Tech Systems falling foul of good publicity and having difficulty supplying demand. Hope not, my order will be in as soon as I can get it there. First I must see if they can make metric versions.
Mike
How do you set up the tool changer system in mach 3? That is the part I have yet to figure out.
silver4dracs - I have been looking at the Mach website trying to figure out how to implement tool changer. Here is what I think you have to do...in a nut shell. Config-General config you set the tool changer option to Auto tool changer. This is what Mach manual says:
Tool change: An M6 tool change request can be ignored or used to call the M6 macros (q.v.). If Auto Tool Changer is checked then the M6Start/M6End macros will be called but Cycle Start does not need to be pressed at any stage.
Figure 5.21 - Logic Configuration dialog
So it seems that you have to write a macro in VBA....I think. If you click on Operator then VB Script Editor, open file, navigate to Mach3 folder then to Macros. You will find an empty M6/start and end. I am assuming you would edit them to write you tool change macro. When a tool change is called for it would then run the macro and use it to select tool. There is also an area to store tool information such as diameter and tool number. Not sure if any of this would have to be filled out or not. I am going to continue to look but am no where ready for this to be used yet.
Dwayne
Heres a little more.
10.8.3 Tool change - M6 Provided tool change requests are not to be ignored (as defined in Configure>Logic), Mach3 will call a macro (q.v) M6Start when the command is encountered. It will then wait for Cycle Start to be pressed, execute the macro M6End and continue running the part program. You can provide Visual Basic code in the macros to operate your own mechanical tool changer and to move the axes to a convenient location to tool changing if you wish. If tool change requests are set to be ignored (in Configure>Logic) then M6 has no effect.
I believe as he stated in post #9 that he just adds the text manualy toi the g-code for the proper x,y, and z movement, this can be done when using the home switches to make sure the machine is always in the proper place at startup.
joe
Thanks for sharing the dxf files JLT.
Jason
I haven't looked at it, but there is a tool change macro video on the www.machsupport.com site, as well as some sample tool change code. You need to write the code in the M6 macro using VB script. The code will need to determine the current tool, and probably contain all the offset information for the tool locations. You also would enter all the tool information into the tool table, and use H43 tool length offsets when changing tools to keep the z axis at the correct depth.
Gerry
UCCNC 2017 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]
Mach3 2010 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]
JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
[URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
I think that should have said G43, not H43.
Gerry
UCCNC 2017 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]
Mach3 2010 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]
JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
[URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
Direct link to Mach3 "Tool Changer Macro" video download:
http://www.machsupport.com/ToolChange/Tool_Change.swf
Sample macro code from Mach3 "Tool Changer Macro" video:
'ToolChange Macro For Bed type tool changer 11/05 Brian
Sub Main()
OldTool = GetOEMDRO (1200) 'Tool In spindle DRO You must add this to your settings screen
x = GetToolChangeStart ( 0 )
y = GetToolChangeStart ( 1 )
z = GetToolChangeStart ( 2 )
a = GetToolChangeStart ( 3 )
b = GetToolChangeStart ( 4 )
c = GetToolChangeStart ( 5 )
tool = GetSelectedTool()
NewTool = tool
'Tool Changer Macro (Bed Type)
MaxToolNum = 8 'Max number off tools for the changer
ToolDown = -3.125 'Z Pos to Get or drop a tool
ToolUp = 0.0 'Z Height to Rapid from tool to tool
If NewTool = OldTool Then
Exit Sub
End If
While NewTool > MaxToolNum
NewTool = Question ("Enter New Tool Number up to " & MaxToolNum)
Wend
Code "G00 G53 Z" & ToolUp
While IsMoving()
Wend
Call MovePos(OldTool)
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G53 Z" & ToolDown
Code "G4 P.75"
While IsMoving()
Wend
ActivateSignal(Output1) 'Turn on Draw bar to release the tool
Code "G4 P1.0" 'Wait for tool to release
'SystemWaitFor (7) 'Wait for the tool Release Limit switch
Code "G53 Z" & ToolUp
Call MovePos(NewTool)
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G53 Z" & ToolDown
Code "G4 P.75"
While IsMoving()
Wend
DeActivateSignal(Output1) 'Turn Off Draw bar to Clamp the tool
Code "G4 P1.0" 'Wait for the tool to Clamp
While IsMoving()
Wend
Code "G53 Z" & ToolUp
Call SetUserDRO (1200 NewTool)
SetCurrentTool( NewTool )
Code "G00 X" & x & " Y" & y 'Move back to where the tool change was prompted
End Sub
Sub MovePos(ByVal ToolNumber As Integer)
Select Case ToolNumber
Case Is = 1
Xpos = 12.00
Ypos = 2.00
Case Is = 2
Xpos = 14.00
Ypos = 2.00
Case Is = 3
Xpos = 16.00
Ypos = 2.00
Case Is = 4
Xpos = 18.00
Ypos = 2.00
Case Is = 5
Xpos = 12.00
Ypos = 4.00
Case Is = 6
Xpos = 14.00
Ypos = 4.00
Case Is = 7
Xpos = 16.00
Ypos = 4.00
Case Is = 8
Xpos = 18.00
Ypos = 4.00
End Select
Code "G53 X" & XPos & " Y" & YPos
End Sub
Main
That tool changer is f-ing brilliant!!!!!!!! I drove into work this morning trying to think about how I could add an atc to my Bridgeport. I love the simplicity of your design- congratulations and thanks for the cool ideas!!!!!!
-Steven Balder
Maybe I missed it, but how exactly does the changer prevent the bits from spinning? I can't see anything in the videos that seem to show that.
I think kiltjimhas, has the same question as mine.Maybe I missed it, but how exactly does the changer prevent the bits from spinning? I can't see anything in the videos that seem to show that.
JLT,
I really like that ATC.
I was looking at the site you posted http://www.hightechsystemsllc.com/index.htm , I understand how the tool (endmill, etc...) keeps from slipping in the holders, with a small set screw.
How does the holder keep from slipping (rotating), in the actual toolchanger? The toolchanger does not look like it would provide enough clamping preasure to keep the tool holder from slipping, I don't see any type of flat on the toolholder to give a positive stop. I may be wrong, I'm just really interested in that product (toolchanger).
It looks like you have a great setup going on in that video!
Any chance of a longer video, with some cutting and maybe a couple of toolchanges?
Also did you see the "Drill Chuck Holder" they have? http://www.hightechsystemsllc.com/in...es/Page513.htm
Thanks for sharing your cool project.
.
I think they are asking what keeps it from rotating in the holder other than pressure.
Hi Guys
This Tool Changer project is very interesting. As with a few other people, I am still wondering how much HP this HTS Tool Changer can handle? Obviously when the red sleeve is released the six steel balls pulls the Tool Holder up into the RTC. Because the Taper on the RTC is the same as the Taper of the Tool Holders, this is what prevents the Tool Holder from slipping in the RTC. I have been looking at the HTS Tool Changer System with the idea of possibly using it on a Tool Changer for my 2 HP CNC Milling Machine. One of my concerns with using the present setup, is if it is strong enough to handle the higher HP and RPM’s? I sent an Email to Derek asking him this question and also what the HP Rating was for the present HTS System and here is part of his reply:
“I am coming out with a 15hp version that will work with collets. These will hold the higher horsepower and torque. Should have something by the 1st of the year if everything works out”
He didn’t actually tell me how much Horse Power the present HTS System can handle, but from his response I gather that it was not designed for a 2 HP Spindle. I believe the present setup works fine with a Sherline Mill or equivalent. My concern is using this system with these higher outputs of a Router? Please be careful using the present HTS Tool System with a router setup. To high a speed or to much load and there are going to be allot of metal parts flying around the room. For my application, I am looking forward to the higher HP System that should be out at the first of the year.
Willy