Have my ATC set up and working (and already thinking I need to add another 4 slots as there are about 8 bits I frequently use). I have two questions:
NOTE: I use Aspire/Vectric software
For different projects I would like to “swap out” the bits from the 4 slots as needed before starting a carve. I know I can set the tool number in my vectric software, but during the ATC setup I input “my first 4 tools” into the MASSO web site software as well. Does this mean each time I want to swap “tool 3” I need to go into the Masso web site and modify my settings, export, and upload to my Masso again?
Has anyone used the 1” surfacing bit from IDC in the ATC…seems to fit but looks a little close and sketchy. Should I leave that as a “manual tool change” bit?
Any recommendations on an external keyboard for use with the Masso for entering tool database data?
Thanks for any help you can provide! Loving my new hobby!
In terms of syncing your tools to Masso, I started out doing that but find it does not matter and is a waste of time. IMHO, I would:
Keep your tool database perfected and numbered well (with no duplicate numbers) in Vectric.
Masso already has the 1-100 bits active and numbered. You can give them a name, but I find that a waste of time. When asked for a tool swap, it calls out the Tool Number (from Vectric gcode), which is the most important thing. The name will be blank, but that is ok, as you have the number. What you don’t want to happen is “Naming Drift”. Where you update a tool in Vectric, and you forget to change bit info in Masso, or visa-versa. To me, too much room for error and upkeep. Keep 1 source of the truth in Vectric, and let the dogs run.
Keep your tools organized in some kind of holder you make or buy by Number, so you can grab them and put them back in the right number slot. I would do that anyway, even if you are using names.
Your milage may vary, but I would skip the names in Masso and change tools by number.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and the link for the keyboard recommendation. I agree and will keep a good numbered tool dbase in Aspire.
I was thinking the ATC would only recognize tools # 1 thru #4 for the 4 slots…or in my Aspire file do I “renumber” the tools in the toolpath to match the slot I am putting the tool in for a specific carve? I was hoping I could ignore the Masso web site and just number the tools I am using for a specific job 1 - 4 as needed.
I don’t have the ATC to fully test. But your slots and tool numbers do not need to be the same. For example, a tool in slot 1 could be bit number 15. When your tool path calls for bit 15, it will take it from slot 1. But to make it easy, you can keep them the same and adjust your bit numbers in Aspire to match. However you are probably going to grow more than 4 bits, so you end up wanting a number system. Like bit 1-19 are end mills, bits 21-29 or vbits, etc. What ever makes sense for you. The important thing is your system will work with manual changes also, for bits that do not have a home in your ATC. Everything should work, if your gcode asks for bit #5, and that is not in the ATC, then Masso will ask for bit change to #5 and you continue on. Hope that makes sense.