Having just installed my new ATC, I’m looking to get ahead of the problem I know others have faced. Namely, long tools can collide with the workpiece/workholding depending on where things are mounted on the table and how far the table will travel.
In my specific scenario, I have a fixture plate that comes within .5" of the max machine travel in all four horizontal directions so moving things on the table is not an option. The long tool in question is a chip fan so doing a manual tool change would defeat the purpose of an automated solution to clearing chips and coolant.
Is there (or could there be) an M code or something to rotate the tool changer to a specified pocket, or at a minimum, index it one pocket (which could then be repeated as many times as needed) in order to move that long tool to the far side of the carousel where it won’t interfere with anything? I realize this would make the tool change cycle a bit longer as the empty pocket for the currently in use tool would have to be brought back in order to put that tool away but that’s a pretty minimal addition to the cycle time in my opinion. I know this is a thing on other machines, Haas, I believe, uses a P parameter rather than a T to indicate a pocket number rather than a tool number.
My other thought at this point is a longer rail and cylinder to allow the tool changer to retract further away, which would also require the cylinder to be relocated and reversed so it doesn’t interfere with the enclosure. Doable, but I’d rather avoid this approach if possible.