RapidChange ATC

Hey guys, just curious if anybody has heard of, tried or seen the videos for the rapid change ATC. I stumbled across that yesterday pretty cool concept and the guy just launch the product I think last week check it out on the tube just search rapid change Atc it’ll be one of the first vids, product site is rapidchangeatc.com no way affiliated just a pretty cool product and want to know what you guys think about what would actually be involved to get it to run with masso. Going to finish my beer now, cheers

Interesting product - thank you for sharing.

I personally do not like it at all, as I see too many areas that for me are questionable.

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I talked to Masso about this, and they would not support the coding to make this work as a true atc. It works but requires a manual push to make the tool change. It speeds the process but the killer for me is having to babysit the carve.
I’m holding for Pwncnc atc setup.

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Hey Bill,

ATC spindles were invented for the purpose. I think the addition of compressed air (what you need for a real ATC spindle) is something many people already have in their workshop and would be less effort than adding this.

One thing to consider is dust and debris, that can easily be around and get inside your ER collet, where it will lead to runout problems (which not only will reduce your milling accuracy but also can damage your spindle bearings). With a real ATC spindle, you have sealing air inside the spindle which prevents dust entering the tool holder taper completely.

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Personally if I’m gonna make the Atc upgrade it’s going to be with pneumatic spindle. This just seemed to be a clever work around… which relies an awful lot on coding manipulation to work but none the less the guy had an idea and made it happen

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Absolutely. I am sure it may be the right choice for some, and definitely demonstrates thinking outside the box.

Hey Bill, hey Tom,

wheel was invented multiple times but I think there were major differences in the implementation :slight_smile:

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As well, none of their ATC logic would be able to control its operation. Better suited to PC based controllers with greater customization opportunity and perhaps the use of custom macros etc… (If one wanted to even use such a product).

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cool creative idea!

But, I hate to think of the crash if the z-height was wrong or if somehow the spindle spun up to speed while the nut was still engaged in the holder and tore it apart and launched it across the room. I also would be wary of introducing wear and tear on the spindle threads from power-loading the collet nut like that.

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Has anyone re-visited this topic? My perusal of the previous comments scares me off, but from September to March is, in today’s world, time enough to re-reinvent the wheel. I’ll look deeper, but so far I have their own laudatory Youtube videos, and/or “that’ll never work” comment sections.

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Search ‘RapidchangeATC?’ on the Masso forum - there has been some progress, with company testing some solutions as well I believe.

Thanx, and I did join Masso. Now I have over 83 passwords to various websites, but I’ll bet I get some use out of that one.

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I think you will. I have received prompt and clear feedback for all my diverse questions over several years on that forum. There are only a few members/support staff that typically offer information and solutions, but I have always gotten the help I have needed from them.