CNC Build Ep 6: Automatic Tool Changer Rack / Tool Stations - DIY Wood ATC Tool Rack for Cheap

[@jontaylor723]

All of your videos are incredibly inspiring! Thank you for them and the dust shoe.

[@CorbinDunn]

Thanks Jon, I appreciate hearing that!

[@fierceflyer5]

A tool changer is a game changer, would love to add one for convenience

[@CorbinDunn]

I love having one!

[@joecnc3341]

LIked-Subscribed -Notified. Nice Shop! Great videos keep up the good work!

[@CorbinDunn]

Awesome thank you!

[@sailorstud21]

Great video, I like the idea of a tool holder made out of wood.

[@CorbinDunn]

Thanks! I wasn't sure it would work out, but it has been incredibly strong.

[@The-only-true-word]

What I did was use an aluminum extension and put it on the front of the avid raised it 6in. Used slide and angle brackets to hold the tool holder plastic clips. Makes it easy to adjust and looks great on. Cost was 30 dollars.

[@CorbinDunn]

Awesome - that is another great way to do it! Do you have a dust hood/brush that you leave on during the changes? Have you had any issues? One of the reasons I didn't go with a straight rack (IE: an aluminum extrusion) was that I was worried the dust brush would get crushed a bit. I have the gaps between my stations for the brush to slide into. If you dock your dust boot, or don't use one, then it isn't an issue.

[@The-only-true-word]

@@CorbinDunn I used 4040 aluminum extension bars. Cut 10ea 4in pieces to raise the plastic tool holder clips. Used corner angle brackets to hold it down and easy to loosen to adjust positioning. This way the dust boot does not get crushed. Only bought the avid CNC frame and built my own controller box. Wanted it to cut plasma, wood and laser. Put dual z axis on it. Used 1800oz numa motors instead of there 1200oz needed extra power for the 11kw ATO I installed. Also bought more 4080 aluminum to strengthen the frame and gantry. Love your idea. Keep up on sharing.

[@wadecustance3025]

Great video. I'm enjoying them, thanks!

[@CorbinDunn]

Thanks Wade!!

[@ChambersAlec]

Corbin, you're videos have been so important as I've set up a CNC in the high school shop I run. I'm wondering if you have an active link for the skinny dust boot 3D printer file. The current link is dead and I can't find it elsewhere on your site! Thanks for all the time you put into these videos!

[@CorbinDunn]

Cool! Yeah, I did a new v2 dust boot design (there's a video about it). Thanks for the info about the link; I will update it! www.corbinsworkshop.com/shop/cnc-dust-shoe-v2-stls-and-fusion-360-parametric-design-for-3d-printing/

[@joaobrero7254]

Thanks Man good work !!

[@CorbinDunn]

No problem!

[@peterg902]

Thanks for the video - has given plenty of ideas. Your cnc hold-down clamps - is there any info / download file for those please?

[@CorbinDunn]

Thanks! The clamps are so handy, and super lower profile. I spent quite a while designing a parametric file for the clamps. The handle sits on top of a 1/4-20 nut, and can easily be pulled off if you are worried about hitting it. I sell the design for $4 over on Etsy (also on corbinsworkshop.com). If you have Fusion 360 you can customize any of the parameters. It does require a 3d printer. www.etsy.com/listing/1450374547/low-profile-cnc-toe-clamps-for-t-track?ref=listings_manager_grid

[@thorjohnson5237]

What spindle are you using?

[@CorbinDunn]

That is the HITECO QD-1F, but I'd recommend a CNC Depot one at this point; they have more options that are just as good.

[@Morgan_369]

please tell me How accuracy using pinion rack is giving You and how You avoid backlash, might pinion rack lose steps ?

[@CorbinDunn]

Sure! I'd say it is at least as good as what Avid advertises, which is up to 0.005", but probably even better, like 0.001". It depends on the size of the project; getting the accuracy over long distances is harder than getting it over short distances. Backlash: I recently adjusted for this in Mach 4 to eliminate it; it's just a setting. Losing steps: I haven't ever lost any steps, but my spindle is beefy. Losing steps is usually because the spindle can't keep up.

[@MyDanglingUnit]

Great video did you order the Hiteco ATC from Avid I know they sell the manual ones on there website I’m going to upgrade the old electronics of my machine with the Nema kit they sell and probably put an ATC on it with a similar tool rack just trying to decide between cncdepot or something a little bigger like the Hiteco you have

[@CorbinDunn]

I got the package from CNC Depot - check out the previous few videos where I discuss it. I'm not 100% sold that I needed the 5 HP HITECO, and I think CNC Depot's standard 3HP motor would have been fine for most all the stuff I need to do.

[@MILAD.VAHDAT]

I recently do some searching and still didn't get my answer,what do you think if i want to add ATC to my cnc that has open loop motors and drivers? Do you think it's possible or i need servo motors and closed loop systems

[@CorbinDunn]

I've got open loop stepper motors; you don't need servo motors. But you do need some way of "homing" the system consistently, which is pretty easy with some sensors (the Avid has them included). So yes, it is possible. If you are still having trouble...send me more info...maybe I can help.

[@MILAD.VAHDAT]

@@CorbinDunn thanks for replying Yes actually my current cnc is laguna swift that already has a type of soft limit and laser home sensor,so you make me more confident with your answer that i still can have atc without changing my steppers to servos.

[@CorbinDunn]

@@MILAD.VAHDAT Yeah, I'm sure it could have an ATC, but the thing that you might have an issue with is the software that controls the CNC machine; it is a pendant, right? I'm not sure if those pendant machines have support for ATCs; I know some Laguna's do, but I don't know what controller/software they use. Mine uses Mach 4, which I customized for the ATC. So, look into your CNC control software and see if it supports a tool changer and adding tool positions (somehow).

[@MILAD.VAHDAT]

@@CorbinDunn yes,i definitely should change the breakout board and controller from the current default (RICHAUTO) that is so simple and useless to Centroid Acorn cnc software and controller,and reprogram everything from the beginning that makes me so terrified if i mess.

[@CorbinDunn]

@@MILAD.VAHDAT That definitely would require more work! I know a lot of people have done it, and I think Centroid has a lot of great help from people on their website forums.

[@alexandamaryan3894]

Hi I am looking to buy one of these and add the ATC, I have a question. What size bed did you buy? to allow for the ATC.

[@CorbinDunn]

Sure - I talk about the size I got a bit in episode #1. I got a 4'x8' table -- but I'm perfectly okay with losing some space due to the ATC and due to a rotary table (which I don't have yet). A 4'x10' would be much better to avoid losing space, but I didn't want to sacrifice the area in my home work shop.

[@AhmadAhmad-kf3zi]

عمل جيد

[@CorbinDunn]

Thanks!

[@uptechcncpvclt-1302]

Do you have the script code to run this tool changer in Mach4? Programing this script is why i switch to Masso CNC controller And is very easy to use and really fast, but i prefer Mach4.

[@CorbinDunn]

Yup! Follow along on the next episodes - I talk about the customizations I did to Mach 4, how to download it, install it, set up tool stations, etc.