[vertcnc]

Here is a couple pictures of the ATC I have been working on for my RF45 and MD001 machines. Similar to other designs found here.

Attachment 191334
Attachment 191336
Attachment 191338

[Fastest1]

Nice looking work. Is it driven directly from the stepper or is there a reduction unit of some form in that block? How about a video?

[Mystichrome]

That is a beautiful piece of work you have. Kudos.

Nice looking work. Is it driven directly from the stepper or is there a reduction unit of some form in that block? How about a video?

+1 on those questions

[vertcnc]

Fastest1, Yes there is gear reduction head driven by stepper. Video once prototype is functional. Still have to complete slide assembly, sensors, air blast and electronics.

[Fastest1]

Thanks for the answer. Is there a particular reason that you dont go to a direct drive? I have seen a few variations of tool changers and rarely if ever do I see direct drive. Just curious.

[SCzEngrgGroup]

Thanks for the answer. Is there a particular reason that you dont go to a direct drive? I have seen a few variations of tool changers and rarely if ever do I see direct drive. Just curious.

One reason would be you need more accuracy than speed. You *can't* rotate the carousel too fast, or the tools go flying off it. You do want each tool position to be very close to a full-step on the motor, to ensure accurate positioning.

Vertcnc - Where did you get that nice stamped sheet metal piece you use for the carousel housing? Is it a cake pan or something similar?

Regards,
Ray L.

[vertcnc]

Ray,
Proprietary part. (baking pan) Probably going to change to stainless.

[rwskinner]

Very Nice!

Richard

[bill south]

Nice!
I'm going to build one as soon as my RF-45 (lathemaster) is back together. I'm in the process of re-engineering that old piece of iron which I built years ago! Love the cake pan carousel cover! Off to walmart!
Thanks for posting.
Bill

[rwskinner]

That is exactly what I planned on using but I wasn't able to find any I liked. I found some deep fryer pans but I would have to do some chopping.
What size and brand did you get? I use a 14" if I remember correctly.

Richard

[vertcnc]

Richard,
I am not sure of the brand. I picked them up at a commercial restaurant supply company near Chicago. Mine is 15". I think its 16 gauge. I have them inquiring on getting me some made of stainless. Just would be a little stiffer, but this probably would be fine for now. Working on the pneumatic door now.

[Connor]

What diameter is the carousel disk ?

[vertcnc]

The disk is 10" and the forks are 3" long. I will more then likely post the complete cad files once I complete tweaks here and there and confirm that it functions as required. May even sell complete parts kit. Will see.

[TiagoSantos]

Damn that baking pan idea is genious! I swear the sheet metal is what has kept me away from working on an ATC, I'm being generous when I qualify my sheet metal work of piss poor.

Keep us posted on how this goes, and the plans/parts kits. It's looking good so far!

[bjones]

pity the cake pan idea wasn't his, care to give credit where credit is due vert?

[TiagoSantos]

To be fair, he never said it was his idea But yeah, I'd like to see more examples of it too!

[Fastest1]

Tiago, go to a sheet metal shop, they would most likely do anything you need cheaply too.

[bjones]

To be fair, he never said it was his idea But yeah, I'd like to see more examples of it too!

well maybe it was but i recall reading of the idea before in another thread, maybe richards cause i looked at walmart for some after reading it.

[TiagoSantos]

Tiago, go to a sheet metal shop, they would most likely do anything you need cheaply too.

heh, you're most likely right. But things have a way of being more complicated than they seem! I live in the suburbs and work downtown, every week day from 9 to 6.30pm at least (usually more). Getting to a sheet metal shop involves skipping work, which means more $$ than it's worth. Although I work full time, I'm technically a freelancer - no work, no money!

Being able to buy a baking pan online or at Canadian Tire and chop it up in my free time simplifies things so much.. To be fair, a lot of the stuff I do with my machine, I could have done faster and cheaper by having it made by real machinists or fabricators. Except I haven't found a local job shop I can just drop by at 7pm! Now there's an idea..

Anyway, back to discussing the ATC project! Looking good!

[vertcnc]

pity the cake pan idea wasn't his, care to give credit where credit is due vert?

I said in the first post that the whole ATC was drawn from ideas from others here. I don't know where the baking pan idea originated, but I am sure its from one of the 1000's of posts I have read on one of the forums. I'll be sure to add footnotes to any further posts.