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

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.

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 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:\Mach\Profiles\PROFILE\[PROFILE]\ToolTables.

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.

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

Keep in mind, all positions are absolute and must be machine coordinate(G53) values!values, not work offsets.

Configure the values in the Description block values should be setsection before editing any others!other parameters. The default valuessettings usuallyare doplaceholders notonly.
Using workthem andwithout adjustment can resultcause inincorrect movements 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

• The number of active pocket positions evenmust thoughnot they may seem very similar.  Settingexceed the positionsnumber toof "Nil"physical orpockets "0"in willthe disablerack.

  them.
You should not have more pocket positions than pockets.

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:

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. 

MachPro 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 Predefined Filters button for Tool Change. 

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

The second group is 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.