Future improvement suggestion: Automatic tool changer

[Geige (Tom Wert)]

Hi there,

My biggest wish for a future improvement is an automatic tool changer. I know that involves a lot of hardware as well as software changes.

Many thanks
Gerd

[OnefinityCNC (Onefinity Support)]

What kind of price add on are you willing to pay for this improvement?

[BJS3D (Moonrise Studios)]

Definitely would be a nice add-on but there would go the competitive market pricing, I suspect. If I had the cash to throw at the issue, there is a very reasonably priced aftermarket solution for the hardware side of things.

As far as software goes, @TMToronto graced the forums with a series of build updates centered on bestowing upon his Onefinity atc capabilities using an aftermarket controller (and a literal ton of custom upgrades to the entire system). I would probably classify the entire series as being “not for the faint-of-heart” but definitely for anyone who’s thoroughly inclined to repeatedly beat their Onefinity warranty into the ground with Thor’s hammer.

Again, though, I’d suspect that this becoming an actual feature would be decided by how much someone’s willing to pay for the engineering / materials on top of the current pricing. And, again, there goes the competitive market edge.

[Geige (Tom Wert)]

I would be happy to pay up to $2500 for this upgrade. I know that it would involve the use of a different spindle, which would probably also have the added benefit of reducing noise.
I am aware that I can build my own tool changer, but I just do not have so much spare time.
The tool change could be an optional upgrade, in which case it would not affect competitive market pricing. I would rather make the machine more attractive to professional users.

[OnefinityCNC (Onefinity Support)]

Thanks for your input Tom.

[Geige (Tom Wert)]

I think I would actually be prepared to pay much more that that for a ATC.

Maybe up to $4000.

I really hope to see the optional upgrade in the future.

If there is any 3rd party solution to an ATC that does not require me to put in 100 hours of my to install it please let me know.

Many thanks.

[Aiph5u (Aiph5u (not affiliated with Onefinity))]

Hey Tom / Gerd,

@Geige

If there is any 3rd party solution to an ATC that does not require me to put in 100 hours of my to install it please let me know.

regarding a ready-to-use ATC spindle system, you might be interested in this:

@Aiph5u

you can buy a control cabinet assembled and configured ready-to-use:

• Electrical Cabinets - Mechatron

Unboxing video:

CNC Finale: Automatic Toolchanger Spindle Install & Testing

Image: Shown is a full-blown control cabinet with VFD, circuit breaker, safety relay (red), and EMI filter on the left and the pneumatics system for the automatic tool changer system of ATC spindle on the right (and additional air tube (blue) with valve retrofit by video author which also wanted workpiece mist coolant – described in the video). On the back of the door you see the back of power switch, emergency button and reset button. Note the thick earth line that connects door to the rest of the cabinet.

It describes the unboxing of Mechatron ATC-8022-42-HSK25 2.2 kW 42,000 rpm water-cooled spindle…

@Aiph5u

…with HSK-E 25 machine taper and automatic tool change (automatic tool change video), a cooling station and a ready-to-use electrical and pneumatic control cabinet with Omron MX2 2.2 kW VFD inside.

However you may want to use another CNC Controller on your Onefinity.

The topic retrofitting an ATC system is discussed here from time to time, e.g.

• Any hobbyist grade solutions for adding automatic tool changes to onefinity?
• Automatic Tool Changer
• Automatic Tool Change

Welcome to the forum!

[WLDORPFELD (WAYNE Lewis DORPFELD)]

You name it! It’s that or another CNC.

[Geige (Tom Wert)]

We got at least one step closer with the Masso controller.

I am still hoping for Thanksgiving 2023!

Please Onefinity make this happen!