Selecting the tool changer

In the Tool Changer window select Linear Tool Changer and double click for settings.

This timer determines the duration in Milliseconds of the Air blast used to clean the tool setter before the tool is measured after a tool change.

Assign an output for the Tool setter Air Blast

Linear Tool Changer Settings

Select Load and unload tools without sliding for this tool changer  

Tool changer Parameters

The tool changer window is broken into 4 sections.

Depending on what type of tool changer you have various options displayed will change.

The following 5 options are common to all tool changers though not all are needed.

Number of Slots: - All Tool changers can can be set from 4 slots up to 30 tool slots.

Tool Change Z feedrate: - This is the feed rate at which Z axis moves when changing tool

Tool Change feedrate: - The is the X & Y axis feed rate that is used when sliding a tool in and out of a tool holder. Not use for Pick and place or the traveling gantry tool tray.

Tool Change Z Clearance: - This is the machine coordinate Z safe height that the Z axis retracts to after dropping off the current tool and moves to pick up the next tool.

Pick and Place Z position: - This it the machine coordinate Z height that the Z axis move too when placing a tool or picking one up.

Tool Tray fixed to X-axis - Leave this option unticked for this tool changer

 Load and unload tools without sliding - This option must be ticked for a Pick and Place tool changer

Tool Slot

X Position Y Position - Defines the centre of the tool in the tool changer. 

For additional information on tool changer configurations please see: >>> Here <<<

Inputs and Outputs

If there are inputs and outputs that your machine does not have or does not use then do not assign them and the MASSO Tool change logic will ignore them and move to the next task in the tool change logic sequence.

Syntax used in this document for Tool Changer inputs and outputs

"Tool Changer - Output 1" means Tool Change - 1 and it is an output

"Tool Changer - Input 1" means Tool Changer -1 and it is an Input

Note: Any tool changer input or output can be assigned to any Input or Output on MASSO. The tool changer number does not refer to an actual input or output port.

Inputs

Tool Changer - Input 1 - Spindle drawbar Status (Low for clamped and High for un-clamped)

Tool Changer - Input 2 - Tool in place Status (LOW signal means no tool in spindle)

Tool Changer - Input 3 - Spindle in INDEX position

Outputs

Chuck Clamp M10/M11 - spindle drawbar clamp and un-clamp (Low to clamp and High to un-clamp)

Tool Changer - Output 1 - air return (Will go HIGH for 6 seconds after tool change)

Tool Changer - Output 2 - Spindle clean air blast

Tool Changer - Output 3 - Spindle in INDEX position

INFORMATION: All input & output signals can be easily inverted by selecting the input or output in the list and pressing the space-bar key on the keyboard to invert the signal. These settings are automatically saved.

Pick and Place Tool Changer logic

When a tool change command is received, the tool changer logic works in the followings steps:

1. Spindle is turned OFF and the system waits for the spindle to stop as per the spindle "Spin down delay" value in the spindle settings.
2. The system checks if the current tool in the spindle is setup in a slot is the F4-Tools screen, else gives an error.
3. The system checks if the tool to load is setup in a slot is the F4-Tools screen, else gives an error.
4. Z-Axis moves up to the homing position.
5. Tool Tray moves Up
6. Z-Axis moves down to the Tool Pick & Place Z position
7. "Chuck Clamp M10/M11" goes HIGH to unclamp the tool, then the system waits for 6 seconds for the "Tool Changer - Input 1" (Spindle draw bar Status) signal to go HIGH, else gives an error.
8. Z-axis Moves Up to Tool holder Z clearance height
9. X & Y-Axis moves to the new tool load position.
10. Z-Axis moves DOWN to the Tool Pick & Place Z position.
11. Tool Changer - Output 2 (spindle clean air blast) goes HIGH as the Z axis descends.
12. Tool Changer - Output 2 (spindle clean air blast) goes Low when Z axis is in position.
13. "Chuck Clamp M10/M11" goes LOW to clamp the tool, then the system waits for 6 seconds for the "Tool Changer - Input 1" (Spindle draw bar Status) signal to go LOW, else gives an error.
14. Tool Changer - input 2, (Tool in Place status), to go HIGH, else gives "Tool Error" alarm and displays "Tool in spindle not detected"
15. Z-axis moves to the Home position.
16. "Tool Changer - Output 1" goes HIGH for 6 seconds (For spindles with air return requirement).
17. Tool Tray moves Down

Tool Tray

For Tool Tray installation please see >>>Here<<<

Dust Hood

For Dust Hood installation please see >>>Here<<<

Assigning Tool slots

• Each tool can be assigned to a tool slot
• Only one tool can be assigned to the same slot at any time.
• A manually load option is available for each tool and when this option is selected on a tool change the current tool will be returned to its assigned slot and the spindle will move to the manual tool change position where it will wait for the user to manually change the tool and press cycle start to resume machining. See the Manual tool changer setting the tool change position. >>>HERE<<<
• To assign the tool select the slot you wish to use for the tool and Press Save to exit.

- Currently not implemented

This open the Tool tray cover or moves the Tool Tray into position depending on you Tool tray setup

- Currently not implemented

This button calls an M6 command to change the current tool in the spindle to the tool shown in the tool edit page.

IT will return the current tool to the tool changer and pick up the new tool.

- Currently not implemented

Press this button for 3 seconds to unclamp the spindle chuck.

Press again to close