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Automatic Tool Changer (ATC) Installation Manual 

 July 23, 2018 

 

 

© Copyright 2018 ShopBot Tools, Inc. 

page 22

 

 

The ShopBot will run a routine and then prompt for the next clip position. Hit “ESC” to continue. 

Note: 

The routine will start on the outside edges before touching off the inside edges. 

Move the inverted tool holder to the next clip position and repeat the procedure for every clip position 
indicated at the beginning of the file. 

 

Note: 

If something goes wrong during the file, the calibration routine will need to be restarted (C3). 

Read every screen and double-check before clicking to the next page. Done properly, this will only need to 
be done once. 

Step 3: Set Fixed Z-Zero Plate Location 

Run the homing routine (C3) to be sure everything is zeroed. 

Load the file “ATC_FixZ_Plate.sbp” located in “C:\SbParts\Custom\ATC\ ATC_FixZ_Plate.sbp”. This file will 
set the location of the fixed Z zero plate to set a base zero height of the bits. This should only need to be 
run once during the setup procedures.  

Click “OK”. 

Use the keypad to move the spindle over the center of the fixed Z zero plate. Once satisfied with the 
positioning of the spindle, hit “ESC”. This will set the fixed Z zero plate location in the X and Y. 

 

 

 

Summary of Contents for SBG00140

Page 1: ... Copyright 2018 ShopBot Tools Inc page 1 Automatic Tool Changer ATC Installation Manual SBG00140 ...

Page 2: ...puts and Outputs Check 16 Inputs 16 Outputs 17 Basic Function Check 17 Additional function checks 18 Calibration Cables 18 Z Zero Plate 18 Fixed Z Zero Plate 18 Tool Draw Bar 18 Calibrating the ATC 19 Home Machine C3 19 Calibration Routine CN74 19 Step 1 Determine Z Height for Calibration 20 Step 2 Determine XY Position of Tool Clips 21 Step 3 Set Fixed Z Zero Plate Location 22 Step 4 Setup Tool H...

Page 3: ... and ATC interface board The ATC reduces the time a project must remain on the machine by automatically changing bits between cuts thus eliminating the need to change and calibrate tools by hand The ATC allows the PRSalpha to cut complete projects where tool changes are required without additional inputs The 5HP HSD spindle assembly is fan cooled The ATC requires 7 scfm at 100 psi of clean dry un ...

Page 4: ...able bed is extremely critical for an ATC tool Excess overages in the X dimension could mean tooling collisions insufficient cutting area and dropped tooling At the end of this section there is a table drawing that shows how the table should be set up Pay close attention to the relationship between table sides and the table surface For Previously Assembled Tables Loosen the bolts that are attached...

Page 5: ...f the Z axis may be reached Use the keypad mode K on the computer to move the Z axis to a height close to the table s surface Position the ATC Spindle as shown resting on the red cap and move the Z axis up or down using the keypad mode until the holes in the Z axis align with the 4 mounting screws in the spindle plate If the table has not yet been assembled temporarily place a piece of plywood acr...

Page 6: ...he table side Toolbar brackets should be mounted 12 5 from the table end as per the drawing on page 7 Before tightening level the tool bar by placing a level on top of the extrusion in both directions along X axis and Y axis of table to ensure that the tool bar and table sides are aligned Note Before fully tightening the mounting bolts turn on the machine and move the gantry to the positive x extr...

Page 7: ... is used to hold the tool holder cone while changing collets and bits Use 5 16 x3 4 button head screws and T nuts to mount the tool chuck in the second slot from the bottom of the table extrusion If this location is not optimal mount the chuck where it is most convenient taking care not to interfere with the movement of the gantry ...

Page 8: ...primary air regulator Attach the threaded pressure switch cable to the wire coming out of the pressure switch Route the two pin terminal block end into the control box Inside the control box route the pressure switch cable to the ATC interface board Connect the blue two pin terminal block to the location marked pressure switch Connecting the Spindle Using a 4mm hex wrench remove the small socket h...

Page 9: ...is E chain manually move the Z axis to both of its extents of travel to make sure there is enough slack in the cables for the Z axis to move freely Connect the small blue terminal block to the location marked VFD Logic Ensure the wires are attached with red connected to S4 black connected to S1 and green connected to SC The spindle sensor cable has a 12 pin male Wago connector and will connect int...

Page 10: ...he ATC manifold to the Y Echain Bracket on the rear of the YZ car using the pair of pre mounted hardware as shown above Run the ferruled side of the 3 conductor 30 ATC cable from the pneumatic manifold through the Y and X cable carriers and into the control box and to the ATC interface board as shown in the picture to the right Black to 24V Green to GND Red to TR under Tool Release ...

Page 11: ... connect to the lower of the 2 push in connectors on the manifold this is the spindle s drawbar which will actuate tool pickup and release The spindle s push in connector marked 2 should run to the upper of the 2 push in connectors on the manifold with a regulator this is supply for positive pressure air to the spindle which will remain open when the tool is on Turn on the pneumatics switch at the...

Page 12: ...st ShopBot control software from the ShopBot website http www shopbottools com mSupport controlsoftware htm If an earlier version of the ShopBot control software is present uninstall the software and install the most recent version Refer to Uninstall Reinstall ShopBot and VCarve Software at http www shopbottools com ShopBotDocs software htm Note If there are personal files within the SbParts folde...

Page 13: ...or programming on the table Open the ShopBot control software and open the ShopBot Setup file in the Tools drop down TS Read through the window and click Next The second window is the Tool Settings Go step by step through this window while verifying information about the machine Make sure that the check boxes for the Z zero plate and proximity switches are checked at the bottom of the window Selec...

Page 14: ...alue Make sure the input switch is set to 1 DO NOT check the Yes I want to always zero my Z axis at the same place on my table Click Next At the ShopBot Setup Prox Switches screen select Make it easy on me and click the Click Here To Make It Easy On Me button to start the zeroing routine The next screen is X and Y axis zeroing setup Read this screen and click Run the prox switch setup routine ...

Page 15: ...he prompts from the pop up screens Select Yes to open the keypad for any adjustment to the 0 0 home position then click OK Move the machine to the zero point and hit ESC to exit the keypad mode Click Yes to zero out the X and Y axes and click OK Read through the ShopBot Setup Finished window and click I m done ...

Page 16: ...ature will be used for homing the X and Y positions and for limiting the safe table cutting boundaries Input 3 The Y axis proximity switch is connected to this input During normal operation the input 3 light will be off in the ShopBot position screen If the Y axis proximity switch passes the proximity targets the light will turn on Among other things this feature will be used for homing the X and ...

Page 17: ...d The proximity switch will have a red LED lit until it comes across the proximity target when it will turn off Moving off the top of the target should cause the LED to come back on This should also be evident in the ShopBot position screen when looking at input 2 the light will turn from black normally closed to green open In keypad mode K move the Y axis into the proximity target using the down ...

Page 18: ... Zero Plate To check the Z zero plate insert the plug end of the Z zero plate cable into the socket locate on the YZ car If the calibration cables are connected to this socket you will have to unplug them to connect the Z Zero plate Touch the Z zero plate grounding clip to the Z zero plate and make sure that input 1 lights up green on the position screen Fixed Z Zero Plate To check the fixed Z zer...

Page 19: ...t in the ShopBot Setup routine Calibration Routine CN74 The ATC calibration routine CN74 is programmed to find and record the clip locations This document will walk through the process Take out the calibration clip and drill rod that came with the ATC Connect the Wago plug to the mating socket on the YZ car The grounding clip is also attached to this same plug The red calibration clip will be clip...

Page 20: ... the spindle and insert an empty tool holder Place a second empty tool holder inverted in clip position 1 Use the keypad to move the spindle over the inverted tool holder in clip position 1 Position the two faces about 1 inch apart and visually center the top tool holder over the inverted one as closely as possible Hit ESC Place the black grounding clip on the tool holder in the spindle ...

Page 21: ...ool Clips Snap the 1 4 collet into the collet nut then screw the assembly onto the tool holder Insert the 1 4 drill rod into the collet and tighten Press the green button to place the tool holder with the drill rod back into the spindle Clip the black grounding clip to the top of the drill rod and the red calibration clip to the bottom of the inverted tool holder Use the keypad to lower the Z axis...

Page 22: ... will need to be restarted C3 Read every screen and double check before clicking to the next page Done properly this will only need to be done once Step 3 Set Fixed Z Zero Plate Location Run the homing routine C3 to be sure everything is zeroed Load the file ATC_FixZ_Plate sbp located in C SbParts Custom ATC ATC_FixZ_Plate sbp This file will set the location of the fixed Z zero plate to set a base...

Page 23: ...e installed Drop a tool holder cone side down into the tool chuck Press and hold the button on the side of the tool chuck Rotate the tool holder until it seats into the chuck Release the button to lock it into place Snap the collet into the collet nut and thread the assembly onto the tool holder Ensure the collet is the correct size for the bit needed Install the bit in the collet and hand tighten...

Page 24: ...o 100 ft lbs with the ER32 spanner wrench Do not over tighten Press the button on the tool chuck to remove the tool holder from the tool chuck Remove the tool holder from the tool chuck Place the loaded tool holders into the desired clip locations Do not put one into the spindle at this time Make sure the bits are facing down ...

Page 25: ...in rack file Enter the number of the bit to zero and then click OK The tool will move to the fixed z zero plate and plunge until it makes contact with the plate If more bits need to be zeroed answer YES If not then type N Click OK to continue Step 6 Change Tools C1 Insert bit into conical tool holder and place it in the desired tool clip location Type C1 to run the custom number 1 Change Tools rou...

Page 26: ...to the fixed plate Type CN73 custom number 73 in the ShopBot control software to run the ATC get plate offset file Use the keypad to move to the location where the Z level is located If zeroing to a specific fixture move the tool over it Close the keypad when the tool is at the desired position Place the grounding clip on the collet or bit and place the regular Z zero plate below the bit this rout...

Page 27: ...rounding clip on it Click OK when both are in place The Z axis will touch off the plate twice and record this distance for use on all the tools until this Z offset is reset This records a Z offset height within the ShopBot user variables and applies this to all the other tools in the tool rack Note that the Z offset is reset to the Z home position any time the C3 routine is run To permanently chan...

Page 28: ...ool number in the characteristics of the tool as the location of that tool holder on the ATC This tool number within the design software is what dictates what tool is selected during the tool changing process Create a drawing within the design software and toolpath it using the tools under the tool changer group that you have created When all toolpaths are created set the order of the tool paths u...

Page 29: ... through 3 different speeds and then shuts off If the machine sets idle for longer than an hour run the warm up routine If unsure whether or not to run the warm up cycle go ahead and run it to be safe Run the File Open the file and run by typing FP or clicking the Load Part File button on the ShopBot position screen If Something Goes Wrong If for some reason the ATC does something that is out of s...

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