Table of Contents
Program Options - Tool Change
Tool Change
Skip Same Tool
If current tool number is the same as selected tool number, tool change will be ignored.
Spindle Check
At the beginning of tool change procedure, spindle will be turned OFF (if it was ON prior)and when tool change procedure is completed, spindle will be turned ON.
Safe Height
Height to which machine Z axis ascends when tool change occurs. To enable safe height value, enable the radio button.
Copy Motor Limits
Position
Enables user defined X,Y,Z position values at which manual tool change will take place.
X,Y,Z:
Action
Message
When tool change occurs, tool change message will be displayed, informing user of current and new tool number. Until user confirms with OK button, motion will be paused.
Pause
When tool change occurs, pause will be activated. Machine travels to tool change position and motion is paused. This way user can safely change the tool and resumes program execution.
Both enabled: When tool change occurs, message will be displayed first, after message is confirmed, pause will be activated.
Tool Offset
Measure Offset-Disable
Tool length will not be measured and stored. This is suitable when user already has created and populated its tool table. Each tool in the tool table has already been measured and its tool offset value has been stored in the tool table.
Measure Offset-To Tool Offset
If your machine and tool change process uses fixed tool sensor to measure tool length offset you enable this option. After tool offset measurement is completed, tool offset value will be stored.
Measure Offset-To Tooltable
If your machine and tool change process uses fixed tool sensor to measure tool length offset you enable this option. After tool offset measurement is completed, tool offset value will be stored in the tool table. This comes handy when tool table is not populated with tools and tool change gcode uses such format: Tn M6 G43 → G43 command will activate tool offset from tool table previously stored during tool offset measurement.
Set Offset - Disable
Tool offset will not be set.
Set Offset - From Tool Offset
To activate previously measured and stored tool offset value you need to enable this option.
Set Offset - From Tool Table
To activate tool offset value from tool table you need to enable this option. This comes handy when your tool change gcode does not use G43.
AutoReturn
When enabled, machine will automatically return to machine position at which the initial tool change command was executed.
Tutorial for basic tool change procedure is available here:
ATC
Enables ATC options.
Speed For Move 1
Speed value of Move In/Out 1st moves.
Speed For Move 2
Unload
Bottom group of settings helps user to set machine motion when tool will be unloaded from spindle.
With Move In 2,1 values, user can determine two step motion sequence which will be executed before tool is unloaded at its designated tool position. Final position where tool will be unloaded is taken from tool table.
With Move Out 1,2 values, user can determine two step motion sequence which will be executed after tool is unloaded at its tool position.
With Out Pin values, user can define controllers output pin activity during ATC procedure. Intended for external ATC equipment control (solenoid pneumatic valve control etc…).
Unload configuration example 1:
Move In 2 (two steps before unload tool position):
Under this option you set move-in axis delta moves. Machine axes will move for the distance of inserted value.
X: Delta move of X axis.
Y: Delta move of Y axis.
Z: Delta move of Z axis.
Move In 1(one step before unload tool position):
Under this option you set move-in axis delta moves. Machine axes will move for the distance of inserted value.
X: Delta move of X axis.
Y: Delta move of Y axis.
Z: Delta move of Z axis.
After Move In 1 step is completed, machine is located at tool position and tool is ready to be unloaded!
Out Pin:
Out Pin: User can select controller output pin from drop down menu.
Not Set: No controller output pin will be used.
On: Selected output pin will be turned on.
Off: Selected output pin will be turned off.
Delay: Value of delay after pin is turned on/off.
Move Out 1 (first step after unload tool position):
Under this option you set move-out axis delta moves. Machine axes will move for the distance of inserted value.
X: Delta move of X axis.
Y: Delta move of Y axis.
Z: Delta move of Z axis.
Move Out 2 (second step after unload tool position):
Under this option you set move-out axis delta moves. Machine axes will move for the distance of inserted value.
X: Delta move of X axis.
Y: Delta move of Y axis.
Z: Delta move of Z axis.
Load
Bottom group of settings helps user to set machine motion when tool is being loaded to the spindle.
With Move In 2,1 values user can determine two step motion sequence which will be executed before tool is loaded to spindle. Final position where tool will be loaded is taken from tool table.
With Move Out 1,2 values, user can determine two step motion sequence which will be executed after tool is loaded at its tool position.
With Out Pin values, user can define controllers output pin activity during ATC procedure. Intended for external ATC equipment control (solenoid pneumatic valve control etc…).
Load configuration example 1:
Move In 2 (two steps before load tool position):
Under this option you set move-in axis delta moves. Machine axes will move for the distance of inserted value.
X: Delta move of X axis.
Y: Delta move of Y axis.
Z: Delta move of Z axis.
Move In 1(one step before load tool position):
Under this option you set move-in axis delta moves. Machine axes will move for the distance of inserted value.
X: Delta move of X axis.
Y: Delta move of Y axis.
Z: Delta move of Z axis.
After Move In 1 step is completed, machine is located at tool position and tool is ready to be unloaded!
Out Pin:
Out Pin: User can select controller output pin from drop down menu.
Not Set: No controller output pin will be used.
On: Selected output pin will be turned on.
Off: Selected output pin will be turned off.
Delay: Value of delay after pin is turned on/off.
Move Out 1 (first step after load tool position):
Under this option you set move-out axis delta moves. Machine axes will move for the distance of inserted value.
X: Delta move of X axis.
Y: Delta move of Y axis.
Z: Delta move of Z axis.
Move Out 2 (second step after load tool position):
Under this option you set move-out axis delta moves. Machine axes will move for the distance of inserted value.
X: Delta move of X axis.
Y: Delta move of Y axis.
Z: Delta move of Z axis.
Simple ATC configuration example:
This example will demonstrate how to configure ATC parameters for automatic tool change procedure as described below.
Initial ATC overview:
-Two tool holders are positioned in tool rack using tool clamps
-Both tools exist in tool table: Machine/Tools/Edit Tool Table
-Tool 1 position: X=0, Y=-30, Z=5
-Tool 2 position: X=30, Y=-30, Z=5
-Loading of tool is performed in such way that tool holder is picked up by empty spindle from safe height. Spindle locks the tool holder and then machine slides out of the tool clamps in Y axis positive direction at tool position Z axis height.
-Unloading of tool is performed in such way that machine slides the tool holder into clamps in Y axis negative direction at tool position Z axis height. Machine then unlocks the tool holder and moves to safe height in order to pick up new tool.
-To lock and unlock tool holders, we will use controller output pin 1. Usually this pin controls external solenoid pneumatic valve.
-When ATC will be at the stage of locking or unlocking the tool holders, short delay will be added for safety reasons.
