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phardy79
11-04-2007, 10:08 PM
Has anyone ever set-up a tool changer for the Shopbot?

joecmay
11-05-2007, 09:18 AM
yes we have a 16 position round tool changer we have been running for 3 years

dingwall
11-05-2007, 10:11 AM
Joe, do you have any photos of that? I've never heard of a round tool changer on a shopbot.

What was it like setting it up?

phardy79
11-05-2007, 05:49 PM
Joe,

I would also like to see pictures of the changer. Did you buy it or did you make it yourself?

gerard
11-05-2007, 06:29 PM
I am also curious to know about the tool changers in regard to the shopbot, what sort of costs are involved? and how does it impact the software that drives the machine?

tradition_wood
11-05-2007, 08:11 PM
If you go here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14896029@N08/?saved=1
You can see how the one on this machine is setup, looks like the head goes past zero then picks up the new collet. I would be interested in something like this instead of adding a 2nd Z

joecmay
11-07-2007, 06:25 AM
the cost of tool changer is about $2500.00 as I have it pictured here but you still need a $6000.00 atc spindle relay board to make it work.

6790

dingwall
11-07-2007, 12:57 PM
Joe, that's a cool looking setup. Does the carousel rotate?

joecmay
11-07-2007, 01:47 PM
Yes it's off the A axis. we have 2 machines setup this way. we are looking at having the tool changer mounted to the Y axis to cut down on tool change time. currently it takes 30 seconds per tool change and we hope to cut that down to about 10-15 seconds.

nschlee
11-07-2007, 02:33 PM
Joe,
What spindle are you using?

joecmay
11-09-2007, 08:45 AM
colombo 5.5 hp atc

sailfl
12-25-2007, 09:26 AM
Where did you get the tool changer?

Thanks

joecmay
12-26-2007, 06:26 AM
we made it
joe

eric_schumacher
01-01-2008, 03:36 PM
Joe,

Are you selling the tool changer as a product? It wasn't clear from your post. You stated prices, but in a later post you mentioned you made the tool changer. I'm not sure about the other readers, but I'm wondering if you are selling this product and if so do you have more details?

Thanks

mitch_prest
01-01-2008, 07:12 PM
has anyone looked at these : http://www.midwestrapidtool.com/

I am looking at getting one at the end of the month..

mitch

don_roy
01-02-2008, 10:52 AM
MItch
I just bought a midwest set up without the tool change pallet(to come later when cash permits).
I have been using the tool change manually for now. I must say what a joy to use. I have several projects that use several tools and it is no longer drudgery to change tools.
Haze Avery did a fine job with this project.
can't wait to go full automation
Don

joecmay
01-02-2008, 11:38 AM
no we are not selling tool changers. Just showing the potential of what the shopbot can do. we made most of the parts on the shopbot for the tool changer