Changing router bits mid-job without an ATC

[kb58]

Being new to this, I suspect this is an elementary issue, but don't want to risk wasted material:

This is the first time that I have to change cutters mid-job on my CNC router. I know about tool offsets and such, but not having ATC, how does that work? I load the first tool, set the offset, start the job, and part way through it stops and asks for the new tool. At that point it seems like I have no choice but to go into the tool menu and set the new offset, so my question is: Does making changes in the tool menu cause the current job to be canceled, or once the offset is entered, can the job be told to pick up where it left off? Thanks.

[EastMemphis]

In my experience, it is better to make each tool a separate job rather than try and keep the tool changes in the same job. While it does work, if anything goes wrong, or is messed up, then the job is more difficult to restart.

I find this method to be the most sound and foolproof, although as a consummate fool, I often fool the foolproof.

[cnckeith]

Being new to this, I suspect this is an elementary issue, but don't want to risk wasted material:

This is the first time that I have to change cutters mid-job on my CNC router. I know about tool offsets and such, but not having ATC, how does that work? I load the first tool, set the offset, start the job, and part way through it stops and asks for the new tool. At that point it seems like I have no choice but to go into the tool menu and set the new offset, so my question is: Does making changes in the tool menu cause the current job to be canceled, or once the offset is entered, can the job be told to pick up where it left off? Thanks.

excuse the the age of this video but the technique you are after is explained within.

[kb58]

Thanks, I've watched that video many times, but the video shows an ATC setup that doesn't apply to my situation. I'll follow the advice to split the jobs into two. Thanks guys.

[ShawnM]

With a router just add a simple tool touch off device, plate or actual tool touch off device, and CNC12 will allow you to manually remeasure the next tool between tool changes and set the proper Z zero for you. Very simple to do and you dont have to mess with the tool library at all. It's fool proof and works great.

For an even better way add two tool touch off devices, a fixed one and a movable one. This allows you to have "semi-automatic" tool changes on a router with no ATC. All you do is change the tool when requested and the software will then move to your fixed tool touch off device, measure the new tool and start cutting again.

There are macros galore on this forum and tons of YouTube videos on this subject.

[cnckeith]

Thanks, I've watched that video many times, but the video shows an ATC setup that doesn't apply to my situation. I'll follow the advice to split the jobs into two. Thanks guys.

what is your definition of ATC? there is no ATC in that video.

[Ken Rychlik]

It's easy enough to do. I have set up multiple machines to do mid file changes. The off sheet fixed tool measure switch is kind of a must have. The main plus is you can leave the vac hold running and your part can not move. As far as fool proof, I don't think that is an achievable goal. You still have to do your part of design and operation correctly.

[kb58]

Thanks, I've watched that video many times, but the video shows an ATC setup that doesn't apply to my situation. I'll follow the advice to split the jobs into two. Thanks guys.

what is your definition of ATC? there is no ATC in that video.

Fair enough, you're correct, as I misspoke - I meant to say "quick change tool holders" where the length offsets were set up ahead of time. All I have is an ER20 collet, so I can't use that approach. As pointed out though, I learned here that CNC12 allows for manual tool changes/offsetting without losing position in the job. Anyway, I separated the different tool-size jobs and it came out fine... as long as I don't start ranting about MeshCAM telling the cutter to move where it has no business being, but I digress.

[Nigelo]

My router has ER25 Collet spindle and I use Swissi's ProbeApp which is configured exactly for this situation. His mfunc6 is setup to match this config along the lines of Shawn's 2nd paragraph above.

The only time I need to slightly adjust the toolchange position is when using a large diameter cutter with no center point e.g. when surfacing

[ShawnM]

kb58,

A tool touch off , two is even better, is the cat's meow for router users. If you don't have at least one, again, two is better, tool touch offs on your router you are really missing out on it's advantages and wasting A LOT of your own valuable time running tool paths one at a time. No premeasuring of the tool or tool library setup is needed, it's all calculated automatically for you by the macro. Wait till you have a job with 5 different tool paths and you'll understand why it's just a necessity. Try it and you'll wonder how you ever operated a CNC router without it.

You can even make one with supplies you probably already have laying around.

How are you setting Z zero now? Please don't say you are using the paper method.