[compunerdy]

Anyone have any tips and tricks for the ATC yet?

I did about 30 tool changes today flawlessly and then had a crash when it was loading a tool. When changing the nylon screws on that one I noticed the next one over was loose on the outside as the screw had stretched. I think I may have had the Z tool change setting off so it was putting too much downward pressure during tool changes and weaking the bolts over time until it went to do a change and it was hanging at just enough of a angle to make it hang up. I also loosened up the draw bar as it may be that if the air compressor is low that it did not open as far as normal although I have never noticed this when trying to test it.

When it work is works nice but the time it takes to change the bolts and reset the thing sure eats up all of that saved time quickly.

Tim

[David Bord]

Have you called Tormach?

From your description it sounds as though you have your collet too tight for the available air pressure just before the compressor kicks on. That, or you could stand to shim the PDB so that the plunger is closer to the spindle.

I used a thinner washer and shimmed the plunger so that it was as close as I could comfortably make it and got more effective stroke actuating the collect, allowing me to run it a bit tighter.

Have you double checked your alignment on the ATC? If the ATC is hitting its mark and aligning the tool, then its not an ATC issue or quirk, its an adjustment that needs to be made.

David

[compunerdy]

I would call Tormach if I thought it was a issue with the machine. I came here to ask if other users had similar issues or any tips they have learned. I am not here to bash the product.

I am sure it is just a adjustment issue. I am leaning towards the z height for tool change being a tad too low.

As far as I could tell the ATC was perfectly aligned. Like I said it did 30+ tool changes just fine. Also I sat there and manually ran the PDB and removed and inserted a tool until the compressor kicked on and then continued doing it and it never seemed to stick or not open enough to insert the tool.

On second thought it could be that the compressor was low and the combination of running the ATC ram as well as the PDB at the same time caused it to not open enough. Although I would think that would trip the low pressure sensor.

Tim

[David Bord]

Re the Z reference... one thing I realized, that when you reference the Z to the changer, you dont need to go past it just touching to ensure it fully seats when in use. Im pretty sure it actually compensates for that.

So far, knock on wood, its worked perfectly

David

[R.DesJardin]

Sorry wish I could help but I have had zero crashes, the ATC is like the Energizer Bunny, it just keeps going and going. Does sound like either the collet tension or Z setting is messed up. Make sure your collet isn't gummed up in the spindle.

[kiwiscotts]

Hi Guys, I too have have had no issues with the ATC. It has worked flawlessly until yesterday. I was running a simple program with 4 tool changes when it suddenly "crashed" the head came down on the tool with the collet still closed thus breaking the plastic bolts that hold the tool forks. I figured out that the collet was not opening enough and this was due to my compressor tripping out due to a power surge and me not realizing that there was no air in the system. "ultra quiet compressor bites back" I am now looking at a pressure sensor that will sound an alarm when the pressure drops below 85PSI. Does anyone have a suggestion on where or how I could rig this up.? Not too sure how the tormach sensor works so would appreciate some feedback on that as well. Eddie

[compunerdy]

Get the Tormach sensor.. it checks pressure before each change and will pause the system and pop up a message telling you the pressure is low. It seems to work very well.

Mine has been working great for awhile now as well. Tormach sent me the updated spindle collet which opens up more and seems to help. I think my main problem was having the z set too low.

[David Bord]

Yep, get the tormach unit. Completely integrated into the system and works well. Man, I love this ATC!

David

[edward scott]

Thanks for the advice, I have ordered a pressure sensor from the guys at Tormarch so all my problems should vanish

[kiwiscotts]

Cheers mate, the pressure sensor is on it's way. Will let you know how I all works out