If you aren’t using automatic height measurement, tool changes can be time-consuming and tedious. The tool length measurement measures using a sensor the length of the tool after a tool change. Semi-auto tool change makes the whole process simple, faster, and more comfortable. The automatic tool changer allows for using different tools without stopping the program for a manual change. Once installed, the operator has to place the tool on the spindle. The Focus automatically measures the tool’s length on every change using the GCode M06 command.
How The Semi-Auto Tool Change Works
The CNC tool height setter gets connected to the controller and then used as the semi-automatic tool change Focus function’s reference surface. Afterwards, the GCode Cycle starts, and Focus moves the tool to the predefined tool setter position. Next, it calibrates the tool length automatically and returns to the machining position. The process continues for all subsequent tool changes in the M06 commands in the GCode file cycling.
Components Of Semi-Auto Tool Changer
The automatic tool changer consists of the following components:
An operation instruction
Tool storage which is mounted on the Y table
A CNC program used to control the tool change
A control unit where there are cables, magnets, valves, and plugs. Also, note that the semi-automatic tool changer requires a pneumatic-operated collet unit. For example, the HF spindle with pneumatically operated collet for cone clamping and the HF spindle with pneumatically operated collet for direct clamping.
Wiring The Tool Setter
Two major explanations clearly show how you can connect a tool setter to the GRBL controller.:
Wiring with Arduino Uno And CNC Shield
This type of wiring requires a connection of the tool setter to pins SCL and GND of the computer numerical control shield. To make the tool setter perform better with the Arduino Uno and CNC shield, you must use an Optocoupler to isolate it.
Wiring With 4-Axis CNC Motherboard
When connecting the CNC tool height setter to the 4-Axis CNC Motherboard, you need to wire the tool setter to the probe pins. The probe pins are Opto isolated to prevent any electromagnetic interference. Therefore, their women need something extra in the wiring. Remember, you can use tool setters in the Normal Open and Normal Close modes. However, Normal Close mode is ideal as it has much safer and better behavior.
When you connect the tool setter to the controller, you must enable the “semi-auto tool change’ on Focus. This is accessible on the main menu of the tool setter software. So all you have to do is go to ‘machine,’ then ‘tool change settings, and then click the ‘enable semi auto tool change’ check box to save the changes, and you are good to go.
Tool changers come in various versions, and you can get one that suits your needs depending on the following pointers:
Different or equal shaft diameters
The number and position of the tools and
The type of the milling unit
The semi-automatic tool changers automatically connect several ports; electric, air, and vacuum, greatly reducing the setup time. In addition, it has a reliable port connection, providing additional safety to ensure that every connection has the correct alignment.