Rotary ATC Carousel

[Gary Campbell]

In order to add a few extra tools to our "at hand" arsenal, the current project is a rotary carousel that holds 12 toolholders. Here are some preassembly pics showing the aluminum parts we were able to machine.

First pic shows the motor mount plate (1/4" 6061) with stepper mounted below, poly bearings and hub for the turntable and a prox switch.

Second has the turntable plate (3/8" 6061) mounted, but not bolted to the hub. Hub from 2.5" round stock turned on the lathe.

General cut spec were: 1/4" single O, 13K rpm, .8ips, spiral toolpath .060 stepdown, occasional squirt of WD-40. Holes were marked with 1/4-1/8 center drill at .1 plunge to .25 depth. Drills on drill press. Tapping with combo drill/tap in air screwgun

[daski]

Seriously when dooo you sleep? Thanks for all the great ideas and keeping us all in the loop, or the ATC, or the rail extension, the dovetails, vac system mod1 thru 6, air drill.....! Now go to bed!!!

[Gary Campbell]

Dave...
One can only sleep 7-8 hrs a day. That leaves 16 to play!

[Gary Campbell]

I managed to get it all bolted in place and tested today. I had a few surprises, but works great! I used a couple pieces of 1.25 by 2.5 steel tube bolted under the X extrusions to hold it in place.

[frank134]

gary that look great. now work on the price so I can get one.

[Gary Campbell]

Frank...
Before or after you get the $14,999 ATC option? :)

[Gary Campbell]

I finally had a chance to shoot some video of the carousel during toolchanges. Needless to say, these are not the OEM ATC files. Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/user/Islaww1#p/u/6/5VGduUHEjv8

[dana_swift]

Gary, I really like your carousel. That should be part of the standard ATC, it looks like a significant improvement in the design.

Also like your message screen displays during tool changes.

Another credit in a long list of cool designs.

D

[Gary Campbell]

Dana...
Thanks. It was a fun project.

My Vectric posts have the same messages for Manual Toolchange use. Reads like: Install tool #12 250 down spiral in head 1 on Z. ENTER when compete. With Vectric post p's its almost automatic, BUT no operands in the tool name!

Received the bits, thanks, now I owe you! :D

[bleeth]

Hey Gary-I'd like one of those. can you send me the plans, parts list, and code? For free?:D

This would be your Friday afternoon chuckle.

[dlcw]

As usual Gary, you are way ahead of Shopbot on universally, useful modifications for this machine.

Great job!!!!

[Gary Campbell]

Dave...
I can always use one from you!

Don...
I am sure that they allready have one in the back room. Joe at WoodMode says they have a number of them on their 15 machines. No invention here, just bolted on some parts to a SB motor to copy a "big iron" feature.

With that said, it sure does make our wholesale cutting fly. I have a pretty good rack o' tools goin, so there havent been any changes in a while now. I average 4 1/2 sheets an hour with this machine, where my old one was closer to 3 1/2. Even had a freak job where me and my partner (sheet lifter) got 52 sheets cut, stacked and labeled in 9 hrs 10 minutes. (it's fun to remember, but mostly remember I am too old to do that again!)

[srwtlc]

That's slicker than snot on a marble Gary! ;)

[Brady Watson]

Where do the pretty little horsies go around??? :confused:

:D

Excellent job!

-B

[SterlingDevelop]

That is the coolest thing I have seen in a while.

I want one!

[tlempicke]

Not to mention the fact that it SOUNDS cool too!

[Gary Campbell]

Tom...
I like to add "all the bells and whistles"

[wberminio]

Real Sweet! Gary!

[curtiss]

I found this mystery ATC on my table a month or so back. Not sure where he came from, maybe outer space.

For some reason, it only seems to only work at night when I am asleep...