I’m trying to set up the original ATC 6 Premium on the Redline controller. I’m aware that Easy ATC and the original aren’t compatible. I didn’t know that when I ordered the OF Gen2 Redline and the ATC a year ago.
At least I managed to connect the Toolsetter and IR sensor to the Redline and test them successfully. The IR sensor is connected to input 0 (pin 1 on the Sub-D connector) and the Toolsetter to the external “Toolsetter” input. To trigger a tool change, I use output 3 (pins 17 and 18 on the Sub-D connector).
I had to register the ATC and did so as “Buildbotics.” But that doesn’t help me with the Rapidchange wizard .
Now I’ve made some progress with the Redline’s wizard; maybe it’ll work eventually. Right now, I’m looking for information about the Easy ATC Offset Height Magazine (Reference Height Offset). Where is that measured? What’s the difference between V1 and V2 +?
I was just playing with this today on my Easy ATC, and I’m pretty sure I figured out how those numbers relate to one another.
The Reference Height Offset is the distance the spindle travels down from the point when the bottom of the collet nut, when installed on the spindle, breaks the IR sensor beam and engages a tool load or unload.
In the screen shot below you’ll see “Upper Sensor” at -78.5 which is where my system activated the IR Sensor with a collet nut installed. Then there is “Engage Height” at -99.5, this is how far from Z axis’ 0 the spindle has to lower to engage the collet nut when no tool is installed. In my case it’s a delta of 21mm (so “Upper Sensor” MINUS “Reference Height Offset” from the wizard). I found that the default of 22mm for my V2 from the setup wizards was too much.
Another note is, once you’ve been through the setup Wizard, you can simply go to the setup screen and manually adjust all the values if you need to tweak something and are fairly certain how your tweak will impact a tool change.
Thanks for these valuable tips. That’s a great analysis of the process. I’ll try to follow it over the next few days. My attempts today didn’t get me anywhere, partly because I had set the IR sensor to Input 1. The signal is on pin 1 of the Sub-D25 connector, but that’s sensor input 0, just like in your screenshot.
I’ll keep you posted on my successes (and failures).
Have you had any luck? I also have the original ATC 6 Premium. I can get it to load and unload but it never fully finished. I get ATC Sensor (Unload): Failed to unload collet and ATC Sensor (Load): Failed to load collet messages even though it completes for both.
I didn’t have any luck either. Apparently, you’ve made more progress. The wiring is correct. I wanted to set up the configuration using the Redline wizard. The first steps went smoothly (the coordinates of the 4 slots). But when the wizard asks for the “engagement height,” the system gets stuck. LM gave a good explanation of the various parameters (see above).
One can also enter the parameters without using the wizard. Still, don’t understand everything. The “ATC settings” overview implies that there are two IR sensors installed in the Easy ATC: “Upper sensor” and “Lower sensor.” Every now and then, the window “Select the offset height for the Easy ATC magazines” pops up. “Reference height offset” for V1 magazine, V2+ magazine, and “custom offset.” It’s not clear to me what measurements are ment here. The mounting depth of the IR sensors? I’m seriously considering switching the controller.
Each Easy ATC ‘tower/magazine’ houses only one IR sensor (emitter and sensor pair), the upper and lower refer to at what Z height the IR beam is clear/broken.
Different magazines have different Z heights that the collet nut must lower to in order to load/unload correctly.
From the available RapidChangeATC documentation, which uses somewhat different terminology, the upper sensor value is the one that has a more limited/critical range with respect to successful load/unload and is likely the one that may need more adjustment.
If you have not already done so, I highly recommend you reach out to Don dirfectly at RapidChangeATC as he will be in a better position to help you troubleshoot your unique set-up.
Thanks.I’m gathering all the information I can to get the ATC up and running. Your information is very helpful for understanding the process. However, it hasn’t led to the desired result yet—only part of the process is working.I’ll contact Don.
I’ve contacted Realtime CNC for assistance. It looks like there may be a software fix required. What I have been told was that when the ATC sensor beam is not blocked, Input 0 should read “CLOSED”. My setup is definitely reversed. This means there needs to be a way to invert this in the software. I’m hoping this is the only issue. If you go onto the DIAG screen, you can confirm the same. I will keep you updated.
I can confirm that. Interrupting the IR beam triggers input 0 and displays “closed” in green.
Inverting the signal seems a bit strange to me. Someone who has the Easy ATC up and running might be able to confirm this behavior. Anyone out there who can test this? One can also invert the signal via hardware. I’ll test that out soon. I will keep you updated.
If the signal needs to be inverted as suggested, I would submit it as a feature request, and use the available hardware solution that has been eluded to for the time being - perhaps check to confirm that neither products’ warranty will be voided.
I believe the main focus has been to get the official Easy ATC supported. Redline and RealtimeCNC both have proven to be quite quick to respond to feedback, including feature requests, and supporting alternative ATC hardware/systems may already be on their development list.
The ATC is working. Thanks to everyone who gave me tips. Inverting the IR signal actually solved the problem. I can now load and unload tools without any error messages. The tool setter is also working. I’m using a 74Hc14 TTL chip as an inverter. I still need to miniaturize the circuit (SMD) so I can install it in the ATC. Some parameters still need to be optimized: reference height, engagement height, upper sensor, and lower sensor. I’ll have to experiment to find the optimal values.
Thanks for the info. My warranty has probably already expired after more than a year. I was able to solve the problem with discrete electronics. I’m going to build this in an even more “professional” way. See reply to creativesolutions
The Toolsetter has its own input on the Redline Controller (2-pin Molex). The signal is not accessible via the 25-pin Sub-D connector. To connect it, I had to run an additional cable from the ATC to the Toolsetter input. On the small PCB inside the ATC, this is the fifth connector (and GND). My ATC came with a jumper between the Toolsetter and the IR sensor. I removed this jumper. The Toolsetter signal is then visible in the diagnostic window when it is activated.
I just wanted to give you an update on my ATC. There are 2 things happened, first Realtime CNC is working on a software fix to Invert the INPUT within the software. Second, while I was waiting for the software update I emailed support at RapidChange ATC and found that the board version 1.7 was the issue. Seems the board version 1.6 is required to work with the Realtime controller out of the box. I have had my ATC since Dec 2025 and Support still sent me the older board and now my ATC works as expected.
To clarify, you are trying to get a different ATC to work with the Redline controller, that is currently set up to support Onefinity’s ATC only at this point correct?
Do you know if the additional hardware/software modifications you required also needed for those using the Easy ATC?
I am referring only to the ATC purchased directly through RapidChange ATC. While not officially supported by Onefinity it gives us options. I thought a 4 pocket ATC wasn’t big enough but wasn’t willing to spend the big money for (2) 4 pocket ATC units. I went with the 6 pocket version and a better option for me.
The only hardware that was required was a DB25 Breakout connecter. I am still using my Onefinity Tool setter.
