ATC Install

[cnckeith]

Ken,
hello. cool project. please post a fresh report.zip so we can see a complete snap shot of the current cnc configuration settings.
and a video clip(s) of the current action you have would be good. thanks, Keith

[cnckeith]

Hello,
I have made some progress with the tool changer set up. At this time I have a repeatable home switch installed (tied to - Home all) I do not believe The parameters are set up correctly. The movement is in very small increments and very slow in the Home all command or A+ /A- main screen selections . I am able to command the movements in MDI in degrees to represent the 12 tool positions. ( A0. = T1, A30. = T2, A60. = T3, etc.)
On the main screen (Ver. 5.3 - pro license) I do not see the (T---H---)"Tool loaded" or "Hight offset" above the DRO's as in version 5.0. and when I try to set up T1 I get errors- T1 is not loaded and T1 is not correct in tool library.
As for the M6 macro, I have not done any modifications yet. I hope I will be able to comment out command features like spindle orientation as I am using the TTS tool system and do not need orientation.
Axis Configuration.PNG
The home feed rate for the 4th axis is set to 700 where the other 3 axis are set to 10, any faster and the 4th axis homing sequence doesn't work correctly, and slower..... well it moves slower.
I hope someone will recognize the errors and point them out, or make suggestions to help get the ATC working.
Thank you,
Ken

i would put some reduction between the A motor and the carousel. 5:1 or 10:1

[MrModfi]

Hello Keith,
Thank you.... It's been quite an experience.

report_0CB2B7D593D6-0630203456_2025-08-14_18-35-47.zip

(1009.96 KiB) Downloaded 1 time

Tried to attach a short video from my phone but it was to large. I will work on setting up something to upload videos.
I think I understand why you are suggesting the reduction, but I would do a pulley reduction so as not to change the over all setup. Of course, if it is a necessity I will make it happen.

Thank you for your time
Ken

[Ken Rychlik]

I've worked on both and the belt reduction sometimes can get in the way of tools as they rotate. The planetary gearbox reduction doesn't have that issue. It can be done with belts but watch out for clearance of bits in tool holders. I go with a custom homing file and custom m6 so I can't help much with getting it all to work through the wizard.

[MrModfi]

I agree with the gear reduction and will go in that direction. 10:1 would reduce the feed from 600 to 60
I will need to learn to write the m6 file, hopefully I can find something to start with and info on necessary points to consider.
Can you elaborate on the a custom homing file compared to the wizzard homing.
Thank you,
Ken

[Ken Rychlik]

Homing file is simple compared to a m6. I just add moves to take it to the spot that I want to be 0,0 and reset it there. That is a complete hom file below from a machine with rotary atc. Sometimes I let the wizard write the home file and then modify the end of it and click custom so it won't overwrite it.

N100 ;Check for open home switch
IF !#[50000 + #9822] THEN M225 #100 "HomeAll switch tripped!!!\nPlease clear before Homing.\n\nPress Cycle Cancel to end Homing"
IF !#[50000 + #9822] THEN GOTO 100

;Disable all limits
M94 /101 /102 /103 /104

;Perform Homing commands
M92/Z L1
G91 G1 Z-.25 F50
M26/Z

M91/X L1
G91 G1 X4 F200
M26/X

M91/Y L1
G91 G1 Y6.2455 F200
M26/Y

M91/B L1
M26/B

;Enable all limits
M95 /101 /102 /103 /104

[MrModfi]

There is alot to know!
Curious, why would Z be m92 and x,y,b are m91?
Wouldn't you want home to be absolute for all or is that something exclusive to the machine.
Would it be kind of like - I do not use the "park" feature on my mill because I want the table (X axis) to be centered on the saddle when the machine is shut down. Of course I have to jog close to the home sw on start up and then home the machine. I could have placed the home sw for X in the center of the table, but it would interfere with the lubrication system and way cover. I do have a general work position on the wireless pendant that sends z to -2.0 (tool change position), y home and, x mid point of the table.

[centroid467]

M91 and M92 have nothing to do with absoluteness of the homing. They specify which direction to move to seek the home switch.

X, Y, and B are seeking the home switch in the negative direction while Z moves to the positive.


If you are using drives with absolute encoders and a controller that supports homing depending on said absolute encoders (i.e. Hickory) then the M91/M92 commands are pretty much only used for initial determination of the home positions. Subsequent homing operations would only use the M26 /<axis> Q1 command to set home.

[MrModfi]

And my learning continues...
Thank you for taking the time to share that information with me.
I will research and get a gear reduction on order and start learning about creating / modifying the m6 command as well as other commands I now realize can be adjusted or created.
I have a feeling as suggested earlier, the need for more in/out put will be the next area to address.
I have seen first hand how this machine can tear it's self apart when something isn't correct. So more safety features on the tool changer then less.
The work I went through to create the tool changer base.... Tig welding inside the 2 1/2' x 3 1/2' x 6' enclosure - with the mill in the middle...
Do not want to go there again LOL.
Thank you again,
Ken

[MrModfi]

I have just completed the install of a 10:1 planetary gear reduction on the 12 position ATC. For anyone choosing to use an axis to control the carousel positioning of their diy ATC, this is an excellent suggestion. Thank you Keith. I would say It should even be documented as the proper method when designing an ATC for this option.

The control / set up works very well so far. I have been playing around with the speed of rotation and am also very pleased as the carousel homes and moves to each pocket position correctly. I however I did not choose a high end unit. The unit, as most, have a gear backlash known as it's "Arc-Min" This particular unit has an 18 arc-min ratting which translates to .3 degrees of free movement... not that great but workable.
I have documented and gone through each pocket position to split the backlash as close as possible. So far I have found that the taper of each tool arbor absorbs the .3 degrees of backlash. In the event a tool doesn't align properly all the tool forks are designed to break away. I'm not sure how others have accommodated this feature, but I machined the 1/2" carousel main plate with 12 keyway pockets and each fork with a matching keyway pocket.

This aligns each fork properly on the round and does not allow the fork to move out of position in any direction. Each fork is then mounted with two nylon 10-32 SHCS, and it does work very well.

During the design process for the tubular mounting structure the carousel was being held in the spindle by a dummy arbor mounted to the 1/2" plate. The drawbar unexpectedly released and dropped the carousel. The fork that the hit the tooling plate/table broke away shearing off the nylon screws. The kind of testing you never want to experience... but I know it works. More importantly, the fork was reinstalled with new nylon screws and aligned properly.

As I stated earlier, All the pocket positions have been documented..... but are not saved in the controller soft wear yet. I am stuck on initializing the ATC. When I go through the set up process ( F1 - F3 - F6 and finally F10) the set up cancels.....?

I have been actively proving the definition of insanity by trying over and over hopping it will somehow work, but it doesn't - LOL

I have called up T1 in MDI as well as calling T1 in the work coordinance, but with no success. I receive statements like "Tool in spindle cannot be changed" or T1 is not set in the tool library"
I could really use help here. If someone could direct me to a post or documentation that will walk me through the process or at least let me know what I have done incorrectly I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you,
Ken

report_0CB2B7D593D6-0630203456_2025-08-14_18-35-47.zip

(1009.96 KiB) Downloaded 1 time