The RapidChange ATC Premium Magazine incorporates an Infrared (IR) break beam sensor for Tool Detection as an added layer of protection on our integrated platforms.
The beam will detect the presence or absence of the clamping nut.
This is a fail safe, requiring one input pin. Poorly trammed spindles or misalignment in the X and Y axes due to events like crashes or step losses can impede the process of the tool change or cause it to fail. This could result in either no engagement, or improper threading.
Zone 1
Detects the presence or absence of the clamping nut during a tool change.
Our M6 macro checks the state of the beam while loading and unloading at Zone 1.
Zone 2
Preforms an additional check while loading. to determine that the nut has been fully threaded.
At both zones upon failure it will raise the spindle and move to the manual tool changer location pause program execution and wait for user input before resuming.