Thank you very much for the kind feedback! Much appreciated. Cheers! Chris

Hi Mike, Thanks much, greatly appreciated! Cheers! Chris

Hi Jesse, without question there is a lot of: mechanical, electrical and software engineering with that device. It was a LOT of fun creating it. Thanks much for the kind words, I really appreciate it.

I agree with your saying that much affords and knowledge needed for the success of completion as I also made an atc of electrical type one(already the 3rd generation )，it is a 7 pockets box type, all stuffs are put inside it and run on linux cnc platform. Similar vfd spindle as yours. Unlike yours using one collet, needing 7 pieces of er20 collets and nuts but of different hole diameter, so different shank diameter of tools can be used

Thank You! Much appreciated!

The stepper driver used (and controled by the PICO) controls torque by varying current to the stepper motor. During loosening 100% power is used, Tightening is 90%, other stages of the sequence use lower current / torque amounts. Most of what I do on the router that requires multiple tools is PCB work, thus the focus on 1/8" shank PCB tooling. Very rarely do I do any woodworking or other work that uses multiple tools of a larger shank. Therefore my design focused only on servicing the 1/8" shank tools with automatic changing. Larger tools also present a problem with this system. Gravity wants to pull the tool out of the collet while it is still loose and being transported between the magazine and tightening device. This is not an insurmountable problem, however, one that I didn't need to address with the smaller tools. Thanks much for watching the video and commenting!

Thank you very much!

Hi Greg, Yes, I am finally back in the game again after that devastating end to the original magazine. I am loving the Centroid acorn as well - so far has been rock solid reliable. Regarding the PCBs, I will be doing a mini-series on my process in full very soon, however, to answer your specific question - I used Scotch Double sided tape that I get at the office supply store. It is very consistant in thickness, it holds exceptionally well, almost too good sometimes. Does not leave a residue most of the time but Isopropyl alcohol cleans it. Welcome back and I hope you enjoy all the new content. Cheers! Chris

Hi @AxelGonzalez-ct7nn , Macro programs (in the CNC) are used to track all that data (which tool and which offset to use and write to). In other words, the CNC is controlling the tool change process. Cheers Chris

Thank you very much for the feedback!!!! When I created it, it was a long term project with many iterations etc. I didn't plan on making it a project but based on the interest, I may revisit this again if there is enough interest.

The collet has spring tension in it. That is what holds the tool bit in the collet. That tension is slight and somewhat adjustable depending on how lose the collet nut is set. With minimal tension and griping force, it is very easy for the tool magazine's outer sleeve to hold the tool while the spindle retracts. There are several other videos on the channel that might make that more clear.

I suspect( mine one needs to take diameter 10mm tool, a bit heavy), so I put small ring magnet on the tool shank so it attracts to the collet, as I usually cut non-steel materials so it won't attract those cut chips or debris

HI FMR, I use Fusion 360 for CNC 3D Carving and Sprint Layout for Isolation milling, hand coding for most other stuff. Cheers! Chris

@@MakingStuffwithChrisDeHut Hello friend, I using fusion360 for desgin and then export it as DXF and then import it to artcam or Cut2D for creating a cnc file. Because the creating a CNC file by fusion360 is pain in ass

Hi FMR, No, I have not made any posts outside of what I use internally. Cheers! Chris

Hi @spidey4fun This stage of the process is very involved but let me try to summarize it like this: Spindle moves down, if socket and nut do not align (switch confirms this) Retract Z, rotate socket about 2 degrees and try again. Spindle moves down, if socket and nut do align, continue, else repeat. Actuate "wrench" with pneumatic solenoid. If wrench cannot move far enough forward, rotate socket (which also turns spindle collet) 2 degrees and pause a moment to let wrench move forward, keep repeating until wrench can move forward. The whole process is a very specific sequence of steps using switches to confirm actions, and the rotary encoder on the stepper to confirm socket (motor) rotation. If any step fails, the process stops. While it is a complicated system, and even crude in some regards, it works remarkably good and has been since I created it. Hope this helps! Chris

@@MakingStuffwithChrisDeHut Yes. That makes sense. I assumed the wrench was just spring loaded so would just spring into position when alignment occurred. Nice project.

Thank you!@@spidey4fun Cheers Chris

Thanks again!

Hi Ron, Yes, it is the Centroid Acorn. Since switching from the MACH CNC software (which was amazing for what it was), the machine has been much more reliable to use. Cheers! Chris

@Making Stuff with Chris DeHut I retrofitted Centroid Controls on one of my mills. I prefer the software over Haas and Fagor. I'm planning on doing some projects with the Raspberry Pi this year and will be checking out some more of your work. Thanks for putting it up.

@@ronhoover4367 I must say, I do like it a lot. I have been involved with CNC machines since 1979, many of those years as an applications engineer for various companies. My involvement today is with Okuma machines and their OSP control. I have come to like that control very much too. I am glad you found the channel and are finding useful information! Cheers! Chris

Hi Sam, I don't know if it is viable to market and sell such a device. That was not my original intent but I must say, as good and reliable as it has been, perhaps I should consider it.

@@MakingStuffwithChrisDeHut do you have any more details or plans on it? Thanks

@@MakingStuffwithChrisDeHut it would be nice to have build plans with a video for sale so people could make it at their own expense without you having any upfront investment. I’m new to Cnc and would like a low cost ATC option on my budget Cnc at some point as well. Cool design, thanks for the inspirational video.

@@samrix5793 Hi Sam, No, when I created it the intention was just to create it and use it. Also, in order for this to work on other CNC machines, a person would need the same combination of components and especially the CNC control. Chris

Hi Chris, thank you for the reply yes that makes sense, would be great for see an update video is this or how it's run recently

Depends, if your objective is to see what you can afford to buy, buy one. If your objective is to see if you can engineer a solution that has not been done before, make one. Personally I have not learned much by making easy choices.

Not to mention they cost about the same as a “cheap” car

Hi John, Thanks for watching and commenting.

@@MakingStuffwithChrisDeHut How is it overengineered? How do you think you can make it simpler without resorting to expensive parts or some method resulting is poor tolerances. Normally used suction mechanisms and individual cones for each bit, this method is actually quite economical. Though it's certainly not something most CNC users could make on their own.

One thing it is superior than the others , it don't need to buy so many pieces of collets and nuts, they are expensive., only one is used for many tools

As for diy guys and cnc machine works for hobbyists, actually such things as those atc and tool workpiece probing mechanism are no need (that is they are mainly for production works people use). They made these things are for fun and learning more , as I am also one of them