Originally Posted by
mflux_gamblej
bummer on the timing.
i'm very interested in modifying my tool changers to either do servo turret (with either oem, or custom parts), or simply to increase the speed of the geneva gear. getting the tool changer to go faster in that regard is where there is time savings to be had. if you speed up the sequencing with regards to tool in/out and z up / z down, i could see how there could be potential for failure.
the geneva gear turret positioning is glacial. it totally sucks. one big issue that I see with driving faster is that the tools tend to wobble then settle down on every index. you could put on a drag brake, or an electric brake of some kind to stop it in the right place and lower the required settling time.
it seems easy enough to increase the speed of the geneva gear motor, but the mechanical settling time is the challenge there. i just get pissed off because if you watch a haas umbrella style changer it moves like 3x the speed, and it has spring loaded flaps that keep the chips out of the tool changer. im sure haas umbrella changers f up too, but at least when they work they dont eat up 50% of your cycle time.