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Winerack Style Tool Changer

Winerack Style Tool Changer Overview

The MachMotion plugin supports a wine-rack tool changing system.
It combines user-defined rack positions with a pre-programmed tool-change sequence to run a reliable tool-change routine.
The plugin includes common safety checks.

Wine-rack tool changer: a fixed array of tool holders arranged in a rack.
Tool-change sequence: predefined machine motions that pick up or return a tool.

Orientation

The tool rack must be parallel to either the X-axis or the Y-axis.
The plugin works with both orientations.

Configure the Correct Orientation

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  1. Determine which axis the rack is parallel to (X or Y).

  2. Open: C:\Mach\Profiles\Router\ToolTables.

  3. Keep the file that matches your rack orientation.

  4. Create an archive folder and move the other tool changer files to the archive folder.

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Enable Macros

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

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Navigate to Tools->Options->LibreOffice->Security. 

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Press the Macro Security button. Set security to Medium. 

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Restart LibreOffice. When it opens up press Enable Macros. 

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

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Example: Wine-Rack Tool Changer Parallel to X

When the rack is parallel to the X-axis, use the Tool Changer X Parallel to Rack.ods file.

Steps

  1. Open C:\Mach\Profiles\Router\ToolTables.

  2. Keep Tool Changer X Parallel to Rack.ods.

  3. Move the other tool changer files to an Archive folder.

  4. Archiving is optional. It keeps the folder clean.

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

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Keep in mind, all positions are absolute and must be machine coordinate(G53) values! the Description block values should be set before any others! The default values usually do not work and can result in machine crash. 

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The rest of the values are tool pocket position values. These are set by carefully positioning the tool in the holder and then recording the machine cord. position. It is very important to set each position individually! Almost all machines will have significant differences in pocket positions even though they may seem very similar.  Setting the positions to "Nil" or "0" will disable them. You should not have more pocket positions than pockets.

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You might find that the tool is picked up more easily if you set the clamp position to be 0.002" 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:

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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 MachPro settings. 

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

Click the fast search button for Tool Change. 

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

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The second group is just I/O mapping for Drawbar, airpurge, ect. 

Some IO is required for operation. Ones that are optional are highlighted in Yellow and rare cases in Orange. 

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Keywords: Router Tool changer wine winerack rack style mach4 tool auto tool changer

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