wanted to brainstorm a bit, on the future "pipe dream" of adding a ATC spindle, and tool change system.
i had thought that having the tool change operations be done in back, but clearance-wise, the best location is a carousel and changer arm in front. this is because i can lift the spindle up high, and have plenty of clearance to change tools. this also requires another idea, changing the Z axis mount around, so the box is stationary, and the spindle-plate moves up and down. though i would have to play around with things to see if it would gain me anything. i think it would... here is why: as mounted, the height clearance changes with the Z axis height. the other way around, the clearance remains more of a constant.
so, if the carousel was just simply pocket holes for the tool-holders to rest in, then the changer arm could engage the tool-holder by using the ring groove to first pluck the tool holder up from the pocket, then slide or swing over to the tool change position, mount the tool, then release it, and swing/slide back to a neutral position.
with that idea in mind, the tool changer needs enough height extension/retraction to lift the tool-holder from the pocket, and also lift the tool-holder up into the spindle to mount it. this could be a dual operation. after the tool changer height clears the carousel pocket, while moving to the spindle location, the tool changer could move down in a syncro-move, so by the time it is under the spindle, it clears it. vice versa for returning a tool to pocket.
i had thought that having the tool change operations be done in back, but clearance-wise, the best location is a carousel and changer arm in front. this is because i can lift the spindle up high, and have plenty of clearance to change tools. this also requires another idea, changing the Z axis mount around, so the box is stationary, and the spindle-plate moves up and down. though i would have to play around with things to see if it would gain me anything. i think it would... here is why: as mounted, the height clearance changes with the Z axis height. the other way around, the clearance remains more of a constant.
so, if the carousel was just simply pocket holes for the tool-holders to rest in, then the changer arm could engage the tool-holder by using the ring groove to first pluck the tool holder up from the pocket, then slide or swing over to the tool change position, mount the tool, then release it, and swing/slide back to a neutral position.
with that idea in mind, the tool changer needs enough height extension/retraction to lift the tool-holder from the pocket, and also lift the tool-holder up into the spindle to mount it. this could be a dual operation. after the tool changer height clears the carousel pocket, while moving to the spindle location, the tool changer could move down in a syncro-move, so by the time it is under the spindle, it clears it. vice versa for returning a tool to pocket.