Carousel Style Tool Changer

OverviewCarousel Style Tool Changer

The MachMotion control has built-in support for Carousel Tool Changers. It works by taking user defined positions and a pre-programmed tool changing sequence and combining them into a tool change routine. Common place safety checks are built in. 

The tool changer will work with the tool changer parallel to X or Y. 

The user should determine which axis the carousel is parallel to and then delete the non-applicable files located in: C:\Mach4\Profiles\Router\ToolTables

Tool Changer X Parallel to Rotary Carousel.ods
Tool Changer Y Parallel to 2 Carousels 1 Spindle.ods
Tool Changer Y Parallel to Rotary Carousel.ods

Enable Macros

If you get this error, macros are not enabled. Follow the procedure below:

NavigateIn toLibreOffice pull down Tools->Options->LibreOffice->Security.Security. 

Press the Macro Security button. Set security to Medium.Medium. 

Restart LibreOffice. When it opens up,up press Enable Macros.Macros. 

To confirm macros are working, when you save the file you should see this dialog and "ToolChangerData.csv" should appear or update in C:\Mach4\Mach\Profiles\PROFILE\[PROFILE]\ToolTables.

Tool Changer Setup

Carousel tool changer example with Tool changer Carousel parallel to X shown below.  In this case, you would use the Tool Changer X Parallel to Rotary Carousel.ods file and delete the one for Y (The extra file does not need to be deleted.. It just makes it cleaner for support down the road to only have one file in there.)

Edit the file with Libre Office.LibreOffice. In the file, there is a graphic detailing the sequence and positions. 

Keep in mind thatmind, all positions are absolute and must be machine coordinate(G53) values!values, Thenot "Description"work offsets.

Configure the values shouldin bethe setDescription section before editing any others!other parameters. The default valuessettings usuallyare doplaceholders notonly.
Using workthem andwithout adjustment can resultcause inincorrect amovements or machine crash. crashes.

Setting Tool Pocket Positions

1. The rest of the values are tool pocketCarefully position values. These are set by carefully positioning the tool in theeach holderpocket andholder.

   then
recording

2. Record the machine cord.coordinate position.(G53) Itposition isfor verythat importantpocket.

3. Enter each recorded value into the corresponding tool pocket field.

⚠️ Important: Set each pocket position individually.
Do not copy values between pockets.
Even small physical differences can cause large alignment errors.

Notes

• Setting a pocket position to set“Nil” eachor position individually! Almost all machines“0” will havedisable significantthat differencespocket.

  in
pocket
• positions,

  The evennumber thoughof they may seem very similar.  Setting the positions to "nil" or "0" will disable them. You should not have moreactive pocket positions thanmust pockets.not exceed the number of physical pockets in the rack.

You might find that the tool is picked up more easily if you set the clamp position to be 0.01" lower than the pocket position.

After entering any positions, you must save the document, and the CSV conversion macro must run. You will see this dialog if it is successful in updating the settings:

All positions are exported to a . CSV file at that point. If the macro does not run when you save the file, the changed positions will not have any effect. 

Mach Setup

To operate the tool changer it must be enabled in the MachMotionMachPro Plugin.settings. 

Pull down Configure -> Control and select the Settings tab at the far right side.

Click the fastPredefined searchFilters button for Tool Change.Change. 

The first group of settings should match this.. Obviously, theThe number of pockets will vary from machine to machine. 

The second group is the I/O mapping for Drawbar, Air-Purge, etc. 

Some IO is required for operation. Ones,Optional theysettings are optional and highlighted in Orange. 

Keywords: Router Tool changer, carousel style mach4 tool auto tool changer ATC