Just finished configuring my ATC and am now questioning my tool placement after reading through all the pros and cons. My home position is to the back right on my machine. I initially set my tool racks across the front of the machine thinking at least they are not taking up any space on my work surface. I’m thinking I may want to set them up either across the back or along the right side. I’m currently using a v10 boot. I’m also using the tall tool racks. Having to remove the dust boot brushes between tool changes seems to be a step back in the whole reason for automating the tool change process.
Why do you need to remove the brushes everytime?
Would adding space laterally mitigate that?
Along the right you’ll have to give significant spacing or risk either boot breakage or errors… probably both simultaneously.
Along the back you’ll need to stretch to get to them.
I used to have 10 along the right in 4 rows i believe. The back row had 4, then 3, then 2, then 1 was easily within reach. I have since moved to the back in a single row.
Was this the article?
If I want a denser configuration then the boot will get in the way. I agree putting them in the back will make them more difficult to reach - hadn’t considered that. I think I’ll just leave them on the front and use magnetic mount tool holders.
Depending on how froggy you’re feeling check this out
It’s not really a deal breaker, there’s a work around for reaching it.
Basically:
atc tool change to old tool.
Change to manual tool change.
tXm6 to new tool.
Change back to linear tool change.
Assign it to empty slot (you’ll have to change the old one out before adding the new one in)
Youre only skipping the change to manual then back to linear tool change part having them out of reach
I have a Onefinity Elite Foreman with Masso and chiller and ATC. I have 8 short magnetic tool holders from PWNCNC however I ended up buying 4 quad tool holders from Ugly Dog. I have a dust boot from PWNCNC but ended up going with Ugly Dog;s Side Kick. This led me to the PWNCNC inlets panel.
I have my tools along the right side mostly because of easy access. I have room for a 5th quad if ever necessary. When I am working on 4’ x 4’ cabinet panels I simply pop the quads off and place them in order on the small external shelf. Then I switch 1 Masso configuration and switch to MTC to maximize sheet size. I have gone to a vacuum hold down system of my own creation and am happy to share basic design with interested parties
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Please share. Perhaps create a topic in unsanctioned enhancements
I put my ATC rack along the back, starting at the back right.
For me, preserving the full 48" width was the most important factor in the placement. I often leave material overhanging off the front of the machine.
I opted for the side-entry tool forks as they allow for larger diameter, and longer cutters.
The holders are spaced as close as possible together to maximize tool density- but it comes at the cost of dust collection. While I have never tried it, I think if you needed dust collection to work, you could install a tool in every other fork, and it would leave enough clearance for the dust collector head and brush. Collectors that retract the dust hood, like Ugly Dog’s sidekick also accomplish this.
I noticed the pneumatic chuck on the spindle can be quite sensitive to the orientation of the tool holders to ensure a proper pickup. I made my rack adjustable so it’s possible to dial in the holders so they are parallel with the spindle.
I posted more in-depth information in this thread.
