Rapidchange ATC Support

Onefinity Easy ATC (Automatic Tool Changer)
1

I am having trouble with the ATC controller attached to the QCW frame on my Elite Foreman machine.

The installation and software appear to have been correct, even though I have taken a while to be able to confirm this.

However, when running the test routine downloaded from the Rapidchange services system, I cannot get any further than failures on each pocket to load or unload.

I sent a video and settings file to Onefinity Support, who indicated the machine is functioning correctly, apart from the homing speed and concluded it must be an ATC problem.

Unfortunately Rapidchange have failed to respond, so I am stuck with suppliers who do not offer an adequate service.

Points I have challenged to try and resolve the problem are:

1: Using the Rapidchange Z height tool, I have produced files with variations from -85 to -105 for the z height. The outcome has been that I have had many failed attempts to load or unload tools by the Rapidchange ATC.

I have seen the spindle rotate above the ATC.

I have seen the spindle rotate within the ATC.

I have seen the spindle bottom out and causing the ATC to move on the QCW frame.

  • I have never seen an amber LED within the process as indicated in the documents.

I am worried that continued efforts may result in damage to the ATC.

2: I saw a message regarding changing the LED operation. Unfortunately, I missed the significance and have not been able to create it again.

Can someone please help me with:

Obtaining better support from either Onefinity or Rapidchange ATC.

2

I had trouble with the ATC myself regarding z height when you home the machine be sure it is reading zero when homed. also be sure everything in your web ui is filled out and correct. including which way your AC is running . Along your x or along your y and that itis set correctly in the web UI. these are just a few of the mistakes that can cause what yyou are experiencing.

]

2 Likes
3

I will check again tomorrow and see if it n helps, thank you for your ideas,

4

Not seeing a light on the unit is an important observation.

Can you confirm that when you trigger the pocket sensors by hand - block the beams - that Input 5 on the Masso F1 screen changes state. If it does not then this needs to be addressed first.

1 Like
5

I am not sure when you reached out, but keep in mind this is a holiday weekend in both Canada and the USA. This may be one reason for a response time or customer service that you feel is inadequate.

2 Likes
6

Don has always been responding to me usually in minutes , not days or hours, they have a reputation of stellar service, wonder if the message went thru?

Pat

3 Likes
7

I would run the FindZ macro to confirm that the LED is working. If it’s not then the next steps would include verifying that the ATC is wired correctly to the Masso or perhaps the wiring at the bottom of the ATC was damaged or disconnected. Assuming the FindZ macro works then maybe focus on getting the pockets lined up properly. There isn’t a lot of room for error with the RapidChange pocket coordinates. I found if it’s off as little as .02 in either the X or Y it will not pick up or drop off the tools correctly. Before selling my RapidChange i was using the Masso integration to avoid the subroutines and be able to dial in each pocket’s coordinates independently. There are trade-offs and that’s a decision you can make later, but for now I’d work on getting the FIndZ to work and confirm the LED is functioning and everything is hooked up okay.

1 Like
8

Thanks for your help. I was using the tool height at the start and corrected that point, unfortunately, to no avail so far.

9

Well done, you have restored my faith and identified the cause for failure to respond. A factor i can say was never present before. MY BAD.

1 Like
10

Hi, just checked, input 7 changes state when i trigger the lights, and not input 5. The assignments within the screen appear to be correct.

By the way i may not have made it clear that my lights are always green not amber.

It also appears that the light triggers when the bottom is forced, maybe this is due to flex?

I appreciate your assistance and hope i can eventually resolve the issue.

1 Like
11

There will be a solution, and you will get it to work.

Just to confirm a few things (we’ll focus on wiring and controller/WebUI configuration first, and move on the the physical install later if needed)…

  1. In the WebUI Tool Tracker there will be a new 4th AUX in the IO columns. Because the Masso setup doc has people use AUX 5 for the ATC trigger signal, the new 4th IO Map will likely be the next number so I am guessing AUX 6 (?) or is it AUX 7?
  1. Have you made another 4th physical connection between an input and output screw connector on the controller (similar to the 3 pairs from the initial install)?
  2. Whatever the 4th IO Map AUX # is - see #1 above - have you assigned the input and output of these two connections - see #2 above - AUX 6 (or the AUX # that appears in the 4th mapping in the WebUI Tool Tracker if different from #6)?
  3. Does each tool pocket trigger the LED when the beam is blocked?
  4. Have you made sure you are assigning auxiliary IOs and not auxiliart ‘toggle’ IOs?
  5. If it is AUX 7 that is showing a change of state in the F1 screen, can you confirm that this is the same AUX # that is listed in the WebUI Tool Detection section? These must match, and as I mentioned the original install manual has set this to AUX 5.

Please let us know the results after you have time to go through the list above.

1 Like
12

Mark I had a problem with mine in that the light stayed on no matter what i did. turns out my ATC had a bad sensor. Rapidchange replaced it and everything is working great.

1 Like
13

I must say thank you for your support; an amateur much appreciates it.

My responses are in line with my understanding if i am n the wrong track please advise.

Point 1: I only have three IO Columns

image
image712×435 10.5 KB

Point 2: I have not made any connections apart from the ones instructed in the installation document.

Point3: Nothing done as i don’t have a 4th option.

Point 5: I believe i have done this correctly.

Point 6: The aux 5 is showing in the Tool detection section of the web UI tool.

image
image686×263 9.64 KB

I am hoping this is the problem, and you are able to offer me a corrective action.

Thanks again for persevering with me.

14

Firstly I need to apologize as I was helping someone set up a dual ATC, and I mixed you up with that person, so ignore my references to a 4th IO map. Again I apologize for the confusion this likely caused.

You missed point #4 - do all tool pocket sensors trigger your input on the F1 screen? If yes we can move on to the physical installation and perhaps any fine tuning we can do.

Can you use the Set Tool 1 and Load Tool 1 subroutines to get the first pocket to load? If not pls describe what happens.

1 Like
16

There is no need to apologise for helping.

Point 4: All the pockets trigger the LED when manually blocked.

Running the Load tool 1 test routine.

The spindle moved to the correct pocket.

It travelled up and down several times.

No LED status change occurred.

The screen showed a message: ATC Zone 1 Load failure! load manually

17

OK so far so good, looks like we need to adjust some key Z heights.

Did you run the Find Z subroutine?

Lower the spindle (with collet and nut and endmill installed) into pocket until LED is on, then run Find Z?

Whatr machine coordinate value for Z did it measure?

Also, which ATC magazine type do you have - with or without exposed/raised IR sensors?

1 Like
18

Just completed the z routine.

Results are: -90.730 z found (Machine Co-ordinate) -78.975 tool co-ordinate.

The ATC has internal sensors near the top.

The ATC type is V2.1

I have also connected the spindle white lead to spindle input 7, was this the connection you referred to? I had completely missed this point each time i went through the problem.

1 Like
19

It was not, but glad you checked it. Can you confirm that the CCW is working for the spindle?

Is the value measured by the Find z the one you entered in your WebUI?

Also, are you able to attach a screenshot of your WebUI settings? Use the gear icon top right, then under ‘Advanced’ at the bottom of the popup window select ‘View profile detail’?

1 Like
20

image
image1804×771 55.1 KB

Web UI z position set at -90.840

1 Like
21

I have not been able to get the spindle to turn Counterclockwise.