I’ve looked all over for an answer for this so am throwing it out to the forum. If Masso reads the toolpath Gcode sent from Vectric is it necessary to populate Masso, Tools & Offset tool library as it is found in your Vectric tool database? Is there an advantage? What does the Masso Tool Library do?
It is not necessary to fill in the tool database in Masso but if you are running a program with many tools, it is helpful for Masso to tell you what tool to load if you don’t remember what tool is next.
Pat
I didnt fill my tool database in masso, i keep a tool list of my program at machine. It would be helpful to fill in so you can read what the tool is when prompted. Also by not filling in you loose wear ability in offset, but its wood. I have not needed to comp anything so no harm no foul.
When I post my program in Mastercam, all my tools come out in order. Each tool is not in a specific number everytime. I guess i could make it be a specific number if i wanted too, But I wont.
And im not going to sit down and populate all my tools in the control.
To each there own.
Thanks to all, the video MaymumBaba suggests is great but lacks a little information. I contacted the producer of the video and he clarified a few things. Awesome guy! I recommend subscribing to his YouTube channel.
I haven’t been using the Masso tool library, but ordered the RapidChange ATC so I’m thinking i’ll need to set it up (I may be wrong but my understanding is the ATC requires it). Anyway, what happens if the tool numbers in Masso become out of sync with Vectric? I shouldn’t have the need to change the tool numbers, but I’m concerned over time if something is off it may cause an issue. This is part of the reason i haven’t defined them in Masso yet – I use a lot of differnet bits and seems like more maintenance making sure everything is in sync.
Your tool numbers in Vectric need to align withthe tool table in Masso, I just got the Rapidchange ATC and working through setup, be interested in hearing about your experience.
I ordered mine from Rapidchange not 1F and you?
Pat
Just curious - are the main 4 columns of the ATC 3D printed or are they metal?
I bought the 8 position magazine, the pockets with the ball bearings are printed, very little metal in the one I have but it is very well built, I have changed tools in and out, it works very good, I am having a few minor bugs partly due to me I think but and getting there, I think it will be a good thing for me.
Pat
One thing I have found out with the Rapidchange is the tool number in Masso needs to correspond with the ATC pocket number, Tool 1 with pocket 1 and so on This not the case in conventional ATC, so if you use a lot of tools it may be a headache, not sure how 1F will handle this in their version, anxious to see.
Pat
I hope the onefinity version of the ATC doesn’t require the tool number in Masso to correspond with the ATC pocket number. I just redid my tool library in VCarve in preparation for the ATC and i would hate to have to do it again as i have many saved toolpaths that i import into different projects.
I remember the Youtube livestream where the RapidChange was introduced and there was a web UI where you could map the pocket numbers to the tool library numbers. Does the one purchased from RapidChange directly have this? I would think that would allow the tool numbers to vary.
The 1F and the Rapidchange will use the same Web UI, there is a tool table there but I have not looked into it yet. I am hoping the tool numbers will not have to coincide with the pocket numbers but so far to me it looks like they do. I have only been playing with this for 2 days now, so probably much more to learn.
Thanks, Pat
thank you very much. please let us know what you find and whether or not this is a restriction.
I can do that, I have the 8 tool magazine and 8 tools is for the most part enough for me but I will see what happens when I try to put tools out of order .
Thanks, Pat
OK so after some investigation there is no problem populating the tool table with any tools you like in any pocket location. This is done in the Web UI and then downloaded into Masso. I do have to say after running a few programs with tool changes, I really like the Rapidchange ATC, is fast and efficient . I feel like I made a good decision, there is a little learning curve but the customer support is amazing and fast.
Pat
Thank you very much for testing this and confirming the ability to map the pockets to different tool numbers. I’m also glad you are liking the RapidChange and it makes me more confident in my investment and hope it helps deliver the efficiency I’m looking for