ATC - Z zero tool problem

[hbcreative]

I just calibrated my ATC and set the XY location for the fixed z-zero plate. All seemed fine, but now when I go to grab a tool to set the z value, and error message comes up "Error setting up for tool change. ATC(58)". Has anyone encountered this before?

[adrianm]

Which version of the control software are you using?

Looking through the ATC files in the current version (3.6.44) the ATC routine should be displaying some diagnostic information in the message window before that error comes up.

[hbcreative]

I downloaded 3.6.44, but for some reason the software showed no ATC. A quick manual change and it worked. Problem I'm now having is it doesn't always grab a tool. Last time I tried to z-zero each tool, it got through 3 of them, but dropped the 4th tool. I jogged it home and noticed that although the software reads X0, it was actually back about a half an inch from where zero actually was (I marked 0,0 with a pencil after C3 and prior to zeroing tools). Frustration now setting in, so I might have to go build some stuff for therapy and return to this tomorrow. If anyone has encountered this with their ATC and has any advice, I'm not too proud to take it :o

[Jerome]

If this is my first cut of the day, Before I do a tool change I do a C3 to home the spindle. Then a c2 to zero the current bit. I was told this wasn't necessary but I get errors if I don't do this each time I turn the machine on.

Jerome

[hbcreative]

After more troubleshooting, I figure what's happening is that the X0 location is changing physically, but not on the console. I just went through the calibration routine again, zeroed the fixed zero plate, all without troubles. Then I went to grab tool number 1 to zero it. It picked it up perfectly, then travelled back to X0 before going to the fixed z-zero plate. I noticed when it travelled to X0, it actually went about 1/4" past my 0,0 pencil mark. I then let it zero on the fixed zero plate and return the tool to the holder. It was about 1/4" shy in dropping it off. I then jogged it home and X0 was now about 1/2" back of where it originally was. It seems that which each trip down the table, the physical location of X0 is changing, although it is not reflected on the SB console, which still has it located at 0. This only happens grabbing tools though. If I jog the gantry up and down the table and move the spindle around then jog back home, it goes exactly where it supposed to.

I guessed that the resistance of pulling / pushing the tools out of the clips maybe slowed down the travel of the gantry without the software picking up on it, causing it to be in a slightly different location that the software thinks it is. But I'm sure there must be something to protect that from happening. Thoughts?

[hbcreative]

By troubleshooting, I've noticed that each time I go and drop off a tool in the ATC then jog back home, it goes back to the X,Y0 location perfectly (assuming I've re-homed it via the C3 command while the bit was still in the spindle). It is only when I pick up a tool (seemingly) that it returns to the improper X0 location. I've read the diagnostic info on the screen during the tool pick up, and it does instruct it to move back to X0, it just ends up being off. Very stumped on this one :confused:

[hbcreative]

Big thanks to Gary and Frank at Shopbot and also Ken Zey for all your help. Still lots for me to learn, but ATC is working well and I'm cutting parts. That makes me happy :)

Cheers Guys!