Multicam ATC compatibility ?

[blaze]

Gday all

Looking at converting my Multicam SII with masso and gecko G203V's
The questions are
Would I need a 4th stepper drive to run the ATC as there is a control board controlling the linear ATC on the machine?
Is there a better way about going about this?
Is the ATC compatible with the masso controller?
Pics Below.

 

[breezy]

@blaze

Blaze,

A bit of a description of how the ATC works would help, what signals does it expect from MASSO and what signals does it send to MASSO. If the control board is handling the linear movement then there is no need for a 4th stepper requirement on MASSO. I say that with a proviso, do you have any slaved axes, then if you wish to software slave them you will need the extra axis, MASSO has fixed slaving arrangement X > A, Y > B.

Regarding compatibility that depends on how the ATC works, check out the Linear tool changers in the documentation. https://docs.masso.com.au/wiring-and-setup/tool-changers/mill-tool-changers

MASSO will be releasing a new linear changer, in a future software update, that can be configured to the users ATC design, instead of having fixed designs. https://docs.masso.com.au/wiring-an...ol-changers/linear-tool-changer-configuration

With this in mind, can you fix the position of tool rack and move the spindle to the tool location for each tool change.

Regards,

Arie.

 

[blaze]

@breezy

Thanks for the reply. I uploaded a video showing how the atc works

The spindle is stationary while the linear track moves on a rack and pinion to the selected tool, the actuator opens the door and another actuator moved the "cups" up and down.
The atc is controlled by what looks like its own controller, stepper and stepper driver. Documentation on the ATC how it's controlled isn't there so I'm not sure what to do in that aspect / how it is getting signaled etc.

Im still quite new to the cnc (on this scale) as I'm used to working with shapeokos etc.
Hope this gives more insight for a solution?

Cheers
Tobias.

 

[breezy]

@blaze

Tobias,

Peter and I discussed your situation with the design engineer today and the conclusion we came to is that your ATC is interesting but it's design is so far from the usual linear tool changer that we could not justify the time and effort to create the logic for that tool changer into MASSO software.

The easiest solution would be to scrap everything, but for the tool rack and to mount the rack in a fixed position and use our new linear tool changer.

Linear Tool Changer configuration

docs.masso.com.au

Regards,

Arie.

 

[blaze]

@breezy

Thanks to you and peter for looking at that for me really appreciate it. I mean it should be simple enough to make / mod something to put on top and just leave all the other stuff where it is. Just hope it can clear the spindle.
Here is a vid I did showing it working.

 

[cncnutz]

Hi blaze,

If you wait for the new software version it will have pick & place tool change functionality built into it.
This is the simplest to do make as it as simple as a row of holes.
https://docs.masso.com.au/wiring-an...ol-changers/linear-tool-changer-configuration

Cheers Peter

 

[blaze]

Gday Peter @cncnutz

Still have to wait for the touch screen masso to come in / Back in stock (8-16 weeks away) *kicks self for waiting* Then I will design an ATC to attach to the existing area where the ATC is at the moment, will save a lot of head aches in the future I'm sure. Less moving parts less goes wrong...right lol.

Cheers
Tobias (Adelaide , Australia)