ATC Tool Changes and Compressors

[Chris]

Here I did a tool change sequence to see where it failed.
While it can be used as a guide, its not a law as there was only one set of conditions it was tested under.
I have had False Negative errors when operating similar tests involving the changer thinking the tool was present when it was really absent. Turning the pressure up resulted in True Positive errors.

I have a 6 Gallon hand-me-down craftsman (pre lowes, but still plastic) compressor, connected with a 3/8" - 2’ hose to my Air Dryer. The rest of the hoses were provided with my ATC system and I cut maybe 18" of 1/4" hose off since there was no reason it was that longer than the sensor cables.

I was able to get 17 “Successful” tool changes, and jaws failed to open to release on number 18. We have been asked several times if a 1 gallon compressor would work, and have been hesitant to give a green light, and we’re unlikely to give one. Using this test here as a metric, for 1 gallon of air it would get a little more than 2 which means 2, but remember what I said about low pressure and False Negative errors (or lack there of). Will it work? Maybe. Are you willing to pay to find out (if buying it)? We’re not at least.

Looking at these two models of a 6 gallon pancake and 1 gallon hot dog, the price and cubic footage between that 1 gallon hot dog and 6 gallon is negligible
California Air Tools CAT-1P1060S
‎14.7"L x 12.5"W x 14.75"H
versus
PORTER-CABLE, 6-Gallon, Pancake
‎18.55"L x 18"W x 15"H

The hotdog occupies 1.5 cubic feet, and the pancake occupies shy of 2.9, while the number may be bigger, the height is basically the same, and ~4"x6" wider/longer if space saving is the consideration. Everyone should be able to spare that under their table somewhere. We provide plenty of 8mm hose. I have the foreman with my dryer on one corner, and the PE on the opposite corner

Another factor is that with these 2 is the CFM. The pancake is capable of pushing just over twice as much air. While CFM isn’t as important with our motors as it is with other motors, there is bound to be a time when not enough is not enough, and as of right now we don’t know where that point is.

Can it work, maybe. Will it work. You tell us, but until then we’re still going to recommend at least a 6 gallon pancake or 8 gallon hot dog as we suspect a 1 gallon hot dog won’t work for long

ATC Tool Changes with 6 gallon compressor

[LavinWoodWorks]

Hey Chris thank you for going over that in such great detail. Think I’ll stick with the 8 gal California air. I do want to know if you could share your dryer set up. Could you show how you are running things from the compressor to the dryer? I also just ordered the one you linked, I did order a 3 stage but this 4 stage looks better she is the same price. Looks good quality.

[Chris]

I had a picture of it as I received it, but can’t find that anymore. By coincidence, @Daniel had the same dryer arrive when mine did. @Clinton followed suit after we received ours. I don’t know what @Jeff is using, but he also has a way different setup than any of us. Maybe on his install video that I believe should be dropping soon, he’ll highlight it.

My phowall is on is just a piece of plywood screwed behind 2×4s.
The dryer came virtually pre-assembled, I just had to twist them open to put whatever went in that chamber. I used spacers and 5/16" (or 3/8") bolts, washers and nuts. I have my pancake connected with a 3/8" lime green air hose, that I believe I showed that connection in the video.

My compressor is on the back left of my table, and as I said in the video I have a 2’ segment of 3/8" hose going to the dryer. I put a 1/4" npt quick connector on it but in order for me to make the connection at the dryer I had to get a pair of 1/2" to 1/4" threaded nuts like this, as well as a pneumatic adapter pack. to make that connection. That was the most adaptable pack I’ve found with male and female connectors with male and female threads. I have plenty of teflon tape, and some is even included. Also purple loctite (545) is pneumatically rated.

You don’t have to get the stuff I linked, its just what I got.

We’re also going to suggest that you’ll need a hose that can make the stretch from your compressor to your PE directly in the case of troubleshooting, for that I have this air hose. Unlike the VFD that has error codes, we can only identify a problem based on the symptoms and just like the vet runs tests and evaluates behaviors to find out whats wrong.

[LavinWoodWorks]

Chris thank you again for all the info. Once I get my new dryer I’ll start to gather all the stuff. Again a picture goes a long way. I think it would be very beneficial for others and myself to actually see those set ups. Visuals helps eliminate some confusion. I know for myself I would like to follow exactly how you guys set your systems up to rule out any issues. I appreciate the help. Thanks again Chris.

[Chris]

I’m constantly taking something apart and putting it back together.

My compressor is at the back left. Then the short jumper hose is going around the corner. I (you) are responsible for any connectors or adapters

This is where the connection and hose connection is provided.

I’m against making a permanent change to something like hoses as situations may change and i may see myself needing a few extra inches. Inches I had before modifying.

I looped the hose under the table using cable ties. There is plenty of hose provided for going from one corner to the other.

My VFD and PE are next to each other on the front right, selected for being close to the power source. The only regret I have is that the VFD to PE cable are both on the left side and its like an 8’ cable. This wire is optional as it ties the vfd to pe and enables the mtc button.

I then have my hoses (air/coolant & spindle cable going to the back right, up and over down to the spindle.

Going to the masso (at front left) I drilled holes (previously) in my support boards, and string them thru putting excess in my pho wall cavity
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[Chris]

Apparently all of my photos didn’t want to go. There’s the pho-wall and the routing from the VFD/PE to my controller

[Mrd]

These are my compressors. The blue one is the older one. The DB sound level was 90 while running, and it was leaky. I didn’t want to rebuild it.
The silver one came from Harbor Freight. It was listed as Ultra Quiet but I had my doubts…it is indeed quiet. The DB was under 65 while running. I was surprised to say the least, went ahead and bought the dryer, regulator, and coalescing filter at the same time.

It has been holding it’s pressure now for over a week.