[gbesch]

Greetings, all!

I have little tabletop equipment made by Sherline. I've converted both the lathe and mill to CNC using parts from Sherline and the servo kits from IMService. I'm finally to the point of having fun making chips, but have discovered that manual tool changes are a pain. Now I'm hankerin' to build an ATC for each machine.

I've done Google searches for plans/kits/ideas for automatic tool changers for both the lathe and mill, but haven't had much luck. The only thing I've found so far is Joe Vickar's tool changer for the mill, which I'm still considering.

Does anyone know of any websites where I can find plans/kits/ideas for automatic tool changers for both the lathe and the mill? I'd prefer to build my own and would like to see how others have solved the problem before I dive in.

Regards,

Greg

[ger21]

You might want to look through this thread.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28665

[cncuser1]

Greetings, all!

I have little tabletop equipment made by Sherline. I've converted both the lathe and mill to CNC using parts from Sherline and the servo kits from IMService. I'm finally to the point of having fun making chips, but have discovered that manual tool changes are a pain. Now I'm hankerin' to build an ATC for each machine.

I've done Google searches for plans/kits/ideas for automatic tool changers for both the lathe and mill, but haven't had much luck. The only thing I've found so far is Joe Vickar's tool changer for the mill, which I'm still considering.

Does anyone know of any websites where I can find plans/kits/ideas for automatic tool changers for both the lathe and the mill? I'd prefer to build my own and would like to see how others have solved the problem before I dive in.

Regards,

Greg

well I have the same inclination as you but am not too further along than you.

One key parameter that is a problem is a tool holder that can be held in place in the spindle then released. The other parameter is a mechism to release and grip the toolholder while in the spindle.


The bigger professional machines, obviously, have solved this problem.
As you go down in scale the only solutions are the Tormach system that is based on the R8 system.

Some companies offer an integrated sytem in their mills. Boxford, EMCO, and a few others use small versions of standard taper tool holders. The basic size of the taper is #30 ( BT30, Cat30, ISO30 etc). These machines are much biggger that the sherline machines.

As far as I have seen in my limited searches, the only succesfull ATC implementation of tool change for sherline is
http://home.insightbb.com/~joevicar3...nger_Plans.htm

I have founnd that proffesionally made toolholders in the #30 size are hard to find used and bnew are as low as $110.

I think that in the end a customised spindle is doable.

The big issue for me now is a gripper/ release mechanism that fits in a spindle.



There is an intermediate option, instead of automatic tool change, there are a few quick( manual) tool change options. There is one that fits the sherline, it has a red ring on it that is activated manually to change the tool. I can't fiind the link and don't remember the name, sorry.

Quik-swith is another quick change sytem, I do not know if the size fits sherline.

That is a summary of my searches, if I have made a mistake or ommisiion, I'd be happy to know of it.

[Switcher]

Greetings, all!

I have little tabletop equipment made by Sherline. I've converted both the lathe and mill to CNC using parts from Sherline and the servo kits from IMService. I'm finally to the point of having fun making chips, but have discovered that manual tool changes are a pain. Now I'm hankerin' to build an ATC for each machine.

I've done Google searches for plans/kits/ideas for automatic tool changers for both the lathe and mill, but haven't had much luck. The only thing I've found so far is Joe Vickar's tool changer for the mill, which I'm still considering.

Does anyone know of any websites where I can find plans/kits/ideas for automatic tool changers for both the lathe and the mill? I'd prefer to build my own and would like to see how others have solved the problem before I dive in.

Regards,

Greg

Do like ger21 suggested, look at this thread ( http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28665 ) it's already been done.



Here is the link to the toolchanger: ( http://www.hightechsystemsllc.com/in...s/Page1416.htm )



.

[gbesch]

That was exactly what I needed, thanks!!! I'm certain I can build my own version from the info I gleaned from that thread.

I did a forum search before posting my question, but didn't see that thread. Every one of the hits I looked at was either about programming or using an existing changer. The number of hits was overwhelming, so I gave up after slogging through the first ten. I appreciate your taking the time to respond to my question

A while back I examined a DeWalt quick-change bit holder for a portable drill to see how it works. I was thinking the design could easily be modified to work with mill tooling by using a taper instead of a hex shank, plus a few more balls to evenly distribute the clamping force... but as with all elegant ideas, it appears I'm not the only one to whom it occurred. It seems HTS is way ahead of me and already has a working model. Nice!

The key problem I still needed to solve was a way to automatically release the tool from the holder, but Joe solved that problem neatly and elegantly. Thanks, Joe! I appreciate your sharing!

Looks like I'll be spending the next couple of days in TurboCAD

Greg

You might want to look through this thread.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28665

[1ctoolfool]

here's another take on a similar idea, manual quick change for Sherline.
it's a product I introduced but didn't get much feedback, but i still have a few left.

http://home.insightbb.com/~joevicar3/qc.htm

thanks
Joe V.

[InspirationTool]

here's another take on a similar idea, manual quick change for Sherline.
it's a product I introduced but didn't get much feedback, but i still have a few left.

http://home.insightbb.com/~joevicar3/qc.htm

Joe, if you made one of those for the X2 or X3, I bet you would sell a ton!

-Jeff

[gbesch]

Joe,

Thanks for the reminder! Actually, I'm much more interested in the other tool changer you invented. I was there the evening you demonstrated it at Paul Hamler's workshop and I was very impressed!

I've been musing over whether or not to buy one of the kits. The reason I've held off is that I'd have to modify the design to use a solenoid in place of the pneumatic actuator. I often work into the wee hours of the morning, so having a noisy compressor running would tend to make the neighbors more upset with me than they already are... <grin>.

Kind Regards,

Greg

[glenfraser]

Hi chaps,
Dont no if anyone can help me on this but i saw plans years ago on here or on the net for some sort of drill changer that rotated drill bits around on a wheel and then into the drill itself. Can anyone remember were it is or send me a link?. I would like to thank you if you can...

thanks

glen(UK)

[Nateg281]

..... or send me a link?

I think this is what you are looking for.....

http://home.insightbb.com/~joevicar3/default.htm

[Sadheer]

very interesting! Where can I buy ATC plans?

Sadheer,

[rowbare]

This might be worth looking into: http://www.usovo.de/shop/product_inf...ne-5000er.html

I think Herbertkabi had bought one though I don't know if he ever did anything with it.

bob

[judleroy]

That looks really cool! It limits you to small tools but i'd still like to know its limitations and how rigid it is. Also how reliable the system is.
Judleroy

[syil canada]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdPr085JLac"]YouTube- Syil's Bolt on power drawbar, for tabletop cnc mills[/ame]

www.syilnorthamerica.com