Selecting the Tool Changer

Go to the Tool Changer window
Select Umbrella Tool Changer
Double-click to open settings

INFORMATION: The Tool Setter Air Blast is used to clean dust or chips from the tool setter after a tool change and before measurement. It is not used during the tool change process.

Setting Up the Tool Changer

There are different umbrella tool changer designs.

Some systems use an external arm to move tools into position
Others use machine axis movement to position the spindle over the tool

MASSO provides flexible logic options to suit different machine designs.

Double Click on Umbrella Type Tool changer to see the Settings

Settings

1. Tool Holder Type

Select Tool holder slide in if the tool loads from the side
Select Tool holder top load if the tool loads from above

Ensure the Tool Change Feed Rate is set. A value of 0 will prevent tool movement.

2. Tool Positioning Method

Select Move tool tray if the tool changer moves tools under the spindle
Select Move axis if the machine axis positions the spindle

Move Axis Settings

If using Move Axis, configure:

Select axis (X or Y) used for positioning
Tool holder position: Machine coordinate to align tool with spindle
Tool holder clearance: Machine coordinate to move away from holder

Timeout (milliseconds)

Defines how long the system waits for tool changer actions during homing.

If set to 0, a homing alarm will occur immediately

Tool Changer Inputs and Outputs

Syntax

“Tool Changer - Output 1” refers to a tool changer output
“Tool Changer - Input 1” refers to a tool changer input

Any tool changer input or output can be assigned to any available MASSO input or output. The numbering does not correspond to a physical port.

INFORMATION: If your machine does not use one or more inputs listed below, leave them unassigned. The tool changer logic will ignore unused inputs.

Inputs

Tool Changer - Input 1: Homing sensor (used to find Slot 1)
Tool Changer - Input 2: Pulse counter sensor (counts tool positions)
Tool Changer - Input 3: Dust hood UP OK (HIGH = hood UP)
Tool Changer - Input 4: Tools retract OK
Tool Changer - Input 5: Tools in position OK
Tool Changer - Input 6: Spindle INDEX position
Tool Changer - Input 7: Drawbar locked
Tool Changer - Input 8: Drawbar unlocked

Outputs

Chuck Clamp (M10/M11): Clamp/unclamp spindle tool
Tool Changer - Output 1: Dust hood control (HIGH = UP)
Tool Changer - Output 2: Rotate tool tray
Tool Changer - Output 3: Tool position control (LOW = retract, HIGH = extend)
Tool Changer - Output 4: Spindle jog (low RPM)
Tool Changer - Output 5: Spindle index lock
Tool Changer - Output 6: Spindle clean air blast

Tool Changer Logic

During Machine Homing

After axis homing, the tool changer is homed
Slot 1 must be the home position
Tools retract and the system waits based on timeout
Tool tray rotates until the homing sensor triggers
Tool 1 is identified using the pulse counter
Pulse counts track tool positions
The system rotates to the last loaded tool position

During Tool Change

Spindle turns OFF and waits for Spin Down Delay
System checks if current tool is assigned to a slot
System checks if requested tool is assigned to a slot
Z axis moves to Tool Pick and Place position
If spindle indexing is used:
Output 4 goes HIGH to jog spindle
Output 5 goes HIGH to lock spindle
Wait for Input 6 (INDEX position)
Output 3 goes HIGH to move tools into position
- Wait for Input 5 (Tools in position)
Chuck Clamp goes HIGH to unclamp
If drawbar sensors are used:
Wait for Input 7 (locked) to go LOW
Wait for Input 8 (unlocked) to go HIGH
Z axis moves to Tool Holder Z clearance
Output 2 goes HIGH to rotate tool tray
- Pulse count determines correct tool position
Output 2 goes LOW when tool is aligned
Z axis moves down to pick up tool
Output 6 goes HIGH during descent (air blast)
Output 6 goes LOW when in position
Chuck Clamp goes LOW to clamp tool
If drawbar sensors are used:
Wait for Input 7 to go HIGH
Wait for Input 8 to go LOW
Output 3 goes LOW to retract tools
Wait for Input 4 (Tools retract OK)

INFORMATION: All input and output signals can be inverted by selecting them and pressing the spacebar. These settings are automatically saved.

INFORMATION: Each tool must be assigned to a tool slot in the F4 Tools and Work Offset screen. If not, a tool error alarm will occur during tool change.