DIY ATC Spindle

[Husky1]

I will test better quality toolholders later and see how it goes. In general, i am very happy with the build, next upgrade is 3k spindle for a motor, or more expensive servo motor like 3.5kw fagor with 11Nm of torque. With 1:3 ratio for higher rpm it can cut serious chips.

I wont upgrade to fully automated tool change anytime soon although its a simple upgrade with diy cylinder over the shaft. I would need to modify the cnc frame as well, so the toolholders would be away from the flying chips, it need extra care to prevent chips getting between the toolholder and shaft cone. The table is usually covered with thick layer of chips, its a mess. Much faster to change tool manually.

[Husky1]

I am getting BST Automation 3.8KW, 15Nm servo motor for my spindle shaft motor, with 1:4 ratio to get 10krpm. Hope this will work much better than current 2.2Kw water cooled spindle providing only half the power of the new setup and with much much less noisy working.

[magicniner]

Butterfly air ratchet with standard modification of valving moved to an easily accessible area would have removed the need for springing, or a lever, for a Non-ATC spindle.

[Muzzer]

Yes you can use a threaded drawbar with an ATC system. The “drive dogs” shouldn’t actually be doing any torque transfer as such, so they can safely be removed. That means you don’t need to index the spindle for tool changes. That’s how the Fadal ATC works on my Shizuoka AN-S. Makes the system design so much easier...