Originally Posted by
LazyMan
That was a prototype I did, and I say go for it. I kept my entire cost (and that included the Power draw bar under 3k. The programming and safety stuff is NOT hard. I ran mine with an Automation Direct DL06 PLC, that Mach 3 controlled over TCP/IP modbus, and I ran a VB M6 script. It is easy to program in limits, safeties, tool detection ect. My Power Draw bar, needed stronger Belviels and a dual stack air cylinder for the draw bar, since I was asked that mine had to hold a 1/2" roughing endmill cutting through a 1" thick piece of AL in a single pass. To do that would have required stronger R-8 holding power.
I had several months of time from design to finished product, working on it between jobs.
Don't let "Plug-ins" intimidate you either they are not that hard to do (IF you learn C++/MFC). But any tool changer can be done in a M6Start.m1s macro.
For me, If I had the time, and/or money to do it over again, I would maybe have done a Double stack draw bar, and maybe a slide caracell verses a swing arm (like Fadal does).
The key thing is this: This is a DIY website, you have a CNC machine, the imagination, intelligence, the desire to do/learn, the time/money then go-for-it. If you have control questions (for Mach3), check out the www.MachSupport.com forum.
But, DON'T let a bunch of Nay-Sayer's stop you. It's your time and your money.
Also, if you want, email me off list, and I will send you the CAD Plans, BOM, screen sets, M6 macro, PLC program, wiring prints, etc. for a small fee.
you can then modify it for how YOU want it to work, since the programming will work for a 12 position ATC and Drawbar. (see video you referenced for proof of that).
Scott
Commercial Mach3: Screens, Wizards, Plugins, Brains,PLCs, Macros, ATC's, machine design/build, retrofit, EMC2, Prototyping. http://sites.google.com/site/volunteerfablab/