Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

Been working on a 16 tool changer for a while. Bit rough at the moment but pretty happy with it & wanted to share.
I have it working in a G code script to test concept, now need to develop it into a tool change macro.
I still have a couple of inputs & outputs spare but not enough to run 4 bit grey code at this stage. The carousel will run
off the 4th axis until the Ether1616 board becomes available. Not quite sure if the stepper has enough torque to smoothly control the inertia
of the carousel with a full complement of tools, so may step it down with a toothed belt.
Regards,
Michael
https://youtu.be/EwdU50orqh4

Lovely.

Truly impressive! Got one that works with R8 collets?

Your covers for the linear rails got my attention. I'm making a new column for my G0704 with hiwin linear rails. Can you provide details about yours?. I'm looking at buying bellows covers or making "way" covers from a 3d printer

mick41zxr wrote: ↑Fri May 31, 2019 1:41 am Been working on a 16 tool changer for a while. Bit rough at the moment but pretty happy with it & wanted to share.
I have it working in a G code script to test concept, now need to develop it into a tool change macro.
I still have a couple of inputs & outputs spare but not enough to run 4 bit grey code at this stage. The carousel will run
off the 4th axis until the Ether1616 board becomes available. Not quite sure if the stepper has enough torque to smoothly control the inertia
of the carousel with a full complement of tools, so may step it down with a toothed belt.
Regards,
Michael
IMG_3356.JPG
https://youtu.be/EwdU50orqh4
Tool Change Test - 5.NC
report_F045DA486298-0813181135_2019-05-31_15-11-19.zip

Cool.
You could load up that carousel, and do some tool changes to see how it behaves and determine if you need a larger stepper.
Have you considered a closed loop hybrid system like Clearpath or a closed loop stepper system?
Are you interested in helping prove out an axis driven ATC?

Marty

FlySox,
It could be made to work with R8 if you used a TTS style tool system. You would not need to orient the spindle for such a setup so you save an input & an output that way.

vinnito1,
I bought the way covers from BeiFute Official Store on Ali Express. I dealt with Leo who was excellent, he provided DXF's based on custom measurements before manufacture. Turn around time was about 2 weeks to my door in Australia which was pretty remarkable. I also have made some scissor type metal ones for my G0704 clone if you would like some details of those as well. TBH easier just to buy & they were not expensive.

Marty,
I am more than happy to help out. Your video's have helped me immensely.
I am using a 3Nm closed loop stepper direct driven, with just 2 tools in the carousel it can overshoot its mark at times, while it does correct itself I think loaded up the carousel will have too much inertia.
I am changing it over to a belt drive with a 3:1 reduction ratio to see how that goes.
Then I will work on a completed macro as its only running on a G Code script at the moment for proof of concept.
My intention was to publish all macro's & setup for anyone who wants them.
Eventually I think it would be ideal to run the carousel on grey code but not enough outputs for that at moment. Also using a stepper on 4th axis limits the rapid speeds on my other servo driven axis as the stepper driver cannot run above 200,000 steps per sec.
Regards,
Michael

Marty,
Here you go, finished the reduction ratio 3:1 with 3Nm closed loop stepper. I loaded carousel up will all the tool holders I currently have (7). It performs a lot better.
Regards,
Michael

https://youtu.be/-M4MiuytdC0

mick41zxr wrote: ↑Mon Jun 03, 2019 5:22 am Marty,
Here you go, finished the reduction ratio 3:1 with 3Nm closed loop stepper. I loaded carousel up will all the tool holders I currently have (7). It performs a lot better.
Regards,
Michael

https://youtu.be/-M4MiuytdC0

Looks good. I wonder if some sort of brake would help...

Ok now have the script working.
Simulation run below,

https://youtu.be/AcuQsGJ-sz0

https://youtu.be/AcuQsGJ-sz0


Script has been altered to use the carousel set as a linear axis so that the axis position is the bin #.
Chip to chip time is approximately 15 seconds.
Macro's & setup attached below,
Thanks to cncsnw & other for help in troubleshooting the script.
Regards,
Michael

Michael,
Thanks for sharing your experience and the information.
Can't wait to see it changing tools, and the machine making chips!
Marty