RapidChange ATC Improved Pocket Tool

Onefinity Easy ATC (Automatic Tool Changer)
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The Problem

  1. I found the pocket tool included with the ATC to be a bit “fiddly” to use. One has to precisely align the tool with the notches in the pocket in order to adjust. I have 60 year old eyes and trying to see a black tool in a black pocket and getting everything aligned was a tad frustrating.
  2. They include 2 pocket shims that must be dropped into the pocket when using smaller, shorter bits.. Sometimes when I dropped a shim it would drop “on edge” and I would have to fiddle to make it go flat. But the biggest issue is that when you want to remove the shim, you have to completely remove the pocket and then move it upside down so gravity removes the shim. Then you have to re-insert the pocket and adjust it to the same depth. This is far too time-consuming and error prone.

The Solution

  1. I re-designed the tool with a couple of changes to make it easier to use. First I made the “handle” wider so I had more grip when twisting the handle with my fingers. The second change was to add a truncated cone to the bottom of the tool so that it would self-align upon insertion into a pocket. You don’t have to look and fiddle to align the tool. All you have to do is push the tool into the pocket and twist and it automatically aligns and works. This is a huge ergonomic improvement over the original tool.
  2. I added a “tool sleeve” which is basically a cylinder that fits over the the handle of the tool. I also added plugs that have a negative of a M4 washer in the top. One can then super-glue a steel washer to the top of the plug thus making it “magnetic”. To insert a plug, put the “tool sleeve” over the tool handle and then pick up a plug using the magnet at the end of the handle. Lower the plug into the pocket and then push down on the “tool sleeve” and pull up on the “tool” to detach from the magnet and then pull up on the tool sleeve. This inserts a plug into the ATC pocket properly. To remove the plug, just use the magnet on the end of the tool. This is way more time-efficient compared to the original as you don’t have to remove, re-insert, and re-adjust the depth of the pocket to remove the plug.

You can find this at the following URL (has both STLs and the source file so you can modify):

Print and enjoy.

Vern

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Are you selling these for those of us that do not have 3d printers? the last thing I want to do I buy yet another tool to go with my CNC . I need to use what I already have and make a few bucks in order to feed my tool habit. I need to make this “Hobby” pay for itself at least a little bit LOL

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I am retired. When I design something I think others in the hobby could use, I will provide it for zero cost on printables. I have no intention to sell anything.

Vern

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If you have Facebook marketplace go on there and search for 3D printing services. At least in my area, there are a number of people who print parts for people. I just email them the file, they print, and I pick up. I am in the same boat that I don’t want to buy a printer and learn it just for some ad hoc parts

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In my area the public library has a 3d printer you can use. Just bring in your stl file and they will print it for you.

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Just google search the following:

online 3D printing services

I just did that myself and it looks like there are a bunch of companies that allow you to web-submit a STL and they will mail you the result providing you pay them money of course.

As I own a number of 3D printers I have never used one of these services so I don’t know whether their pricing is reasonable or not. That of course is for you to decide.

In my case I really wanted to do 3D printing as a hobby. But that is specific to me. If you just want a plastic part to make your CNC life easier, you are correct in that it makes absolutely no sense to purchase a 3D printer. Perhaps one of the online 3D printing services can help you in that regard.

Vern

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maybe you can get @RowdyRoman to print them for you?

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