Easy ATC Software Beta for Realtime Controller (Official FAQ)

Onefinity Easy ATC (Automatic Tool Changer)
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Greetings Onefinity/ATC Community,

We have been working with Onefinity, Redline and RapidChange to integrate native support for the Easy ATC into our controllers and software.

In order to consolidate the discussion for the new Easy ATC support and beta testing, we will be posting updates and answering questions on this thread.

Updated Post Processors

We have posted updated post processors for Carveco, Vectric, and Fusion 360 on our website here:

Beta Software Downloads & Installation

Redline HMI

https://firmware.realtimecnc.com/public_beta/RTS1.1.5.7.tar.gz

If you are downloading this file on a Mac using Safari before you install it on your Redline HMI, please read this important note.

  1. Download the update file on your computer and copy it to a USB flash drive. The drive should be formatted as FAT32 or exFAT. Do not change the file name. It should appear as RTS1.1.5.7.tar.gz
  2. Plug the USB drive into a USB port on the HMI.
  3. Select UPDATE from the drop down menu in the top toolbar.
  4. Choose “Update from File” and select the RTS1.1.5.7.tar.gz file from your USB drive. Click the IMPORT button to start the update.
  5. After the update has completed, the software will restart automatically and update the controller firmware.

Windows

https://firmware.realtimecnc.com/public_beta/RTSX-Setup-V1.5.7.exe

Download and install the beta software using the setup executable above.

Mac

https://firmware.realtimecnc.com/public_beta/RTSX-Installer-1.5.7.dmg

Install the software by downloading and opening the DMG file above. Drag the RTS-X application into your Applications folder to install it.

FAQ

How do I set up the ATC?

The software now has a dedicated SETTINGS page for the Easy ATC. It also includes a setup wizard which will walk you through setting up your ATC.

Advance information on the new settings are available here:

Which Easy ATC Magazines are supported?

The first software release will support four slot Easy ATC magazines. These are classified as V1, V2, and V2.1. These models were sold by Onefinity through their website.

I have a different RapidChange ATC, will it work?

Maybe! The first beta release will not support dust covers, but it does expose all the parameters necessary for setting the tool setter position and parameters. Only the magazines mentioned above are officially supported.

When will the beta software be available for testing?

The beta software is available for testing now

I am not comfortable using the beta software, when will the official release be available?

We expect the public release will be available by the end of April. We will be responding to all beta tester feedback in the mean time.

What do I need to enable the ATC?

You will need the following:

  • The 1.5 beta software release
  • A compatible Easy ATC magazine and its accessories
  • Collets and collet nuts
  • A tool setter
  • A compatible VFD spindle (Redline or equivalent)

Will you be adding support for other RapidChange ATC systems such as the Solo?

Yes. Support will continue to expand in future software releases.

How many tool changers are supported?

The first version will support up to 4 tool changer magazines (16 tools total).

Are there restrictions on mounting the magazine?

No. As long as the tool head can reach the magazine slot, the software will work. The magazines can be mounted in any position and in any orientation. The software tracks the location of each pocket independently.

We are excited for everyone to start using their Easy ATC systems. Please post any feedback or questions in this thread.

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The Onefinity Easy ATC by @RapidChangeDon is now available for all machines using the @RTCNC CNC Controller including those using the @Redlinecnc HMI Screen (Gen 2 Elite and Gen 1 Elite with Redline).

While this product is in public beta, please give your feedback and bug findings to this master thread only to consolidate information to one place. This helps us track issues and feedback easier!

We can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

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Mine is working great so far! (v1 atc)

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I’m having issues running the setup wizard. Everything works well until we get to the height settings.

jogging in the z direction is not correct. Even set to 0.1 mm, the move is several(ish) mm. Also, my machine is set to imperial, but the ATC wizard is in metric. Not a big deal, but interesting.

After setting the bottom of the collet nut flush with the top of the ATC cup and saving the position the machine finds the sensor and the set height screen is presented. not much documentation here to know what’s about to happen…

selected V2+ and click Test Engage Height. Z moves up to the ‘flush’ position, doesn’t make any further moves and then times out on finding engage height.

I’ve run through the wizard several times, behavior repeats.

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Is your vfd on and is the redline spindle selected in the configuration settings? It’s most likely looking to spin the spindle up, but it’s not on/selected. Take a look.

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That was it. I wasn’t expecting the spindle to spin up at this point, so didn’t even think to clear the ERR14…

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Add option for additional strikes (1,2 or 3) on the collet to make sure it is tight.

What are the sensor inputs for?

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Should it be doing the tool change on its own? Currently when executing a toolpath with M6 tool changes it waits for me to press the buttons to swap to the next tool, then it continues cutting.

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So what is this part called and how do I get longer ones? It would be nice to have size options.

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Those are the tool cups. According to the manual the Easy ATC has the four shorter cups installed, and two longer cups in a separate bag.

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It will do tool changes on it’s own, if you do not have any m0 in the code.

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Thank you, I will reach out to Onefinity and see if I can get more longer ones. I can’t find them online at this time.

It was on this day that I discovered I should not be working on my CNC after 8 p.m. Did you know you can use the tool provided and make those plugs go deeper? lol It was a long day yesterday and I should have just waited until today to work on installing the ATC.

Admin, you can kick me from the group now… :slight_smile:

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download to 3 different usb’s confirm that the file is on the usbs

when you go to download from file it shows no programs on any of the usbs

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These are tool cups and are necessary to prevent bit migrating out of the collet while sitting in the pocket. I believe you should have received 2 longer ones. Important to set the tool cups accurately in each pocket to maintain the correct stickout from the collet upon loading (and unloading)

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Very important! I had that exact thing happen. The bit migrated till it was barely in the collet and when the machine went to change the bit as it was coming up and started spinning higher it actually threw the bit and hit me in the face. So yes, make sure you adjust the cups correctly and put the little black disc in properly as well.

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The setup wizard is outstanding. Setup was a breeze. Only have used it a couple of times but it is working flawlessly.

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I’m having an issue where it won’t sense a 0.25" end mill in the T1 position. It says it failed to detect it after it loads that tool.

The really cool part is that it still continues with the toolpath after it tells me it didn’t load anything…so twice it’s mashed 1.75" of end mill down into the work piece before I could catch it.

0.375", 0.125", 0.0625", and 0.023" are all fine. It’s just the 0.25" in position 1. Any idea what’s up?

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Can you give more details on exactly what your process is before and after the issue you describe happens. This may help forum members or Onefinity support in their efforts to troubleshoot or reproduce this.

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Everything is working perfectly as long as I am using one of the 4 bits in the ATC. But if I want to use another bit ( ie. tool #5) it unloads the current tool and just hangs. Expected it to move to the manual change position. There must be a setting that I am missing. Please let me know.

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Program starts with T1 (1/4") already loaded and TLO measured. T1 cuts, swaps to T#>TLO>cut, repeat, then the final toolpath uses T1. It’ll properly swap to T1 then give the error message that it failed to load when retracting from the tool pocket (I don’t remember the exact wording at this point). From here it won’t measure TLO, spindle spins up and next cut begins and the bit plunges as far as it can. Checking after shows the TLO reset to 0" explaining the plunge.