After running my Tormach 1100 with ATC for more then 15 months in production I have decided not to use the ATC anymore and go totally manual on tool changes. There are a number of reasons; however the first and foremost is that it is just to slow on the tool changes. (there is also a blood pressure issue with it's not so perfect reliability; but that is not the primary reason)
Generally my programs use between 4 and 8 tools and longest program cycle time currently is 16 minutes. Tool changes (stop cut to start cut) are aprox 23 to 25 seconds. Manually I can do the same thing in more like 12 (including the Tormach spindle spool up): 23-12*8 tool changes = 88 or 1min 28sec lost for tool changes on a run of 100 parts that is 2.4 hours lost productivity to the ATC @ shop rate that is real money

I would like to see Tormach offer a faster and more long term reliable ATC option.