RapidChange Automatic Tool Change Magazine/Auto Tool Change in FluidNC/ VFD spindles

[@leisurelar]

I am very interested, I have a 4' x 4' CNC with the 2.2 Kw and ER 20 collet. This would solve a lot of headaches.

[@RapidChangeATC]

that is the same size spindle and er collet that I used to developed it.

[@tgirard123]

Oh hell yeah that is really cool Don. I edited this post because I misunderstood what you were doing. Still though, I am super interested in how you set this up because I'd love to get a tool changer on my fox alien vasto

[@RapidChangeATC]

maybe you didn't understand my comment on your video. I want to send you one if your willing to review it on your channel no stings attached you can email me at [e-mail] or on discord Don Greilick #5330

[@Basement_CNC]

tis is incredible, i wouldnt even have thaught of that, could you PLEASE dmsow how you bilt it and also how you setup the esp32 fluid nc, i want to upgreade, but dont feel vonfident enough yet

[@RapidChangeATC]

I will be explaining more in the next video!

[@tgirard123]

Could you explain a little more on how the tool change actually works? Is there a Chuck that I would need to buy to fit onto my spindle in order for this to work correctly?

[@RapidChangeATC]

You won't need to buy anything everything you'll need is included. All you need is a VFD spindle or any spindle where the rotation and speed are controlled by gcode. The mechanism under the hood is a trade secret atm and I will be filing my provisional patent next week. I have a very small list of peers and youtubers who I will be sending this out to for review and critique before I finalize design, variations and options for manufacture I'm inviting you to be on that list but e-mail me or hit me up on discord I don't want to discuss it here in the comments :) hope to hear from you and thanks for subscribing and the comments!

[@taylorrobinson3375]

This is a game changer! Imagine how much time this will save

[@RapidChangeATC]

Thank you for the comment! that is what I thought when I did my proof of concept and it truly is a huge time saver and makes me feel like I have a real cnc machine lol

[@Harambe_]

And money! ATC spindles are freaking expensive compared to the er collet ones.

[@nc_chips]

I think it's a pretty good design, how much surface area is needed on the machine table to implement this system?

[@RapidChangeATC]

So for an er-11 which is what is in the video I forgot to mention that... not counting the dust cover which is really an optional feature because a user could pause and vacuum the debris between tool changes if needed (which I did for six months I just added the dust cover a month ago) the unit could be 10" by 1.75" or apx 250mm by 45mm foot print that would hold 5 cutters and the tool setting probe. Thank you for the comment!

[@nc_chips]

@@RapidChangeATC I would be interested, but my spindle is a 2.2kw er-20, my table is 14x10 so it could fit, do you have something like a discord channel where we could share pictures?

[@RapidChangeATC]

@@nc_chips ok I think this is my actual ID Don Greilick#5330

[@projecthivemind3239]

Looks great, sign me up. Do you think you could make it work on a 3020 or 6040 CNC? Great CNC, too. Is that... wood?

[@RapidChangeATC]

no lol the machine is made from phenolic panels I got a bunch of it from a remodel project I did so it's got a formica laminate on it hence the wood grain. but the best thing about it is that it almost completely deadens the resonance

[@projecthivemind3239]

@@RapidChangeATC Is the bed the same stuff? The bed on my 3020 is aluminum extrusion. I'd like to replace it with a heavy piece of steel, some day, to make the machine more rigid and to dampen vibrations.

[@RapidChangeATC]

@@projecthivemind3239 yes the bed pretty much everything is made out of it. I will probably be doing a video on the machine itself it's fairly unique

[@RapidChangeATC]

Yes I am working on implementing it as a kit to work with common machines

[@jcyinnovations5007]

Hey Don. Great work! Couple questions: are you using ER-11 collets? Can you share a link where I can buy the spindle? Thanks.

[@RapidChangeATC]

Yes er-11 collets. The spindle is nothing special though but this is the one I bought that I use in the video. I began this project using a 2.2KW VFD spindle with er-20 collets. But wanted to show the er-11 first since that is most common. Amazon 0.8KW Spindle Motor, RATTMMOTOR 800W Air-Cooled Spindle Motor 220V 65mm CNC Spindle Motor ER11 400HZ 24000RMP for CNC Router Engraver Milling Machine

[@ericthecyclist]

Looks very good. What type of price range are you looking at?

[@RapidChangeATC]

We are working on that LOL we will have rapid change tool racks in three sizes er11 er16 and er20 which have been tested on 800w, 1.5kw and 2.2kw spindles. the pre-order price will be less than $1000 for the larger er20 size. Very soon in the next week or so we will be offering an e-mail sign up to be notified 24 hrs in advance of the pre-order launch and access to our discord channel where you will be able to ask questions and offer suggestions. The goal is to make it affordable for everyone so the more interest we get the less expensive it will be to produce. Pre-orders will get a substantial discount.

[@RapidChangeATC]

Also I am currently producing a series of videos on it's use and functionality this first video was a reaction test and has been very encouraging I have gathered a dozen peers and formed a focus group to help finalize design. I have been using it for 6 months during development and even in it's early stages when I had to baby sit it I was shocked at how it much it changed and sped up my work flow.