e3D toolchanger setup help
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Hi,
I plan to upgrade my RatRig with a e3D toochanger clone. My understanding is that I will need one toolboard per tool etc but. But What do I need to do with the toolchanger? There is that Servo motor and the switches and I need to attach an z-Endstop too.
Long story short: To which port port do I need to connect the servo to my 6HC? And which M/G command would I need to open and close the tool changer? -
@Chriss There are lots of ways to set up a toolchanger with Duet hardware.
You may want to have a toolboard for each tool or you could connect some of the tools directly to the mainboard. On my toolchanger I have 3 tools controlled by toolboards (two 1LC boards and one Fly RRF36) and one connected directly to the mainboard. Similarly although most folks connect the toolchanger head directly to the mainboard I actually use a toolboard on mine (I'm currently using a prototype of one of the Fly toolboards), this allows me to control the tool locking motor, a set of neopixels (to illuminate the work), the "standard" switch probe, a scanning Z probe (like the duet SZP) and a switch to detect if a tool is currently mounted, all via just the 4 power/can-fd wires.
My setup is a little extreme as I use it to test the STM32 version of RRF which I maintain, but it gives you an idea of the possibilities.
If you have not already read them I would suggest reading the blog posts from DC42 which describe how he has his toolchanger set up: https://miscsolutions.wordpress.com/2020/03/02/converting-the-e3d-tool-changer-to-duet-3-with-hemera-tools-part-1/
I would also suggest that you study the configuration files that David used: https://github.com/Duet3D/RRF-machine-config-files/tree/master/E3D_Tool_Changer
Note that the above blog and config files are a little out of date now, but they still provide interesting reading and the hardware setup should give you some ideas. Also note that David uses a setup with (0,0) at the centre of the bed which may not match your preferred configuration, so make sure you check any coordinates.
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@gloomyandy Well, the idea is to have 4 tools, every tool with a toolboard etc... And the changer should be connected to my 6HC directly. I see no reason to use a tool board here.
But I do not understand the motor on the tool changer.. is that a servo? To which port than? And how to configure it? I went trough the pages but I did not find the configuration and wiring of the actual changing thingy... -
@Chriss You should take another look at the configuration files I pointed you to. You can see here: https://github.com/Duet3D/RRF-machine-config-files/blob/master/E3D_Tool_Changer/dc42-duet3-centreZero-2Titan-2Hemera/sys/config.g#L28C1-L28C35
M569 P5 S0 ; Drive 5 COUPLERThat the coupler (axis C) is just using one of the standard stepper drivers on the mainboard, so the motor is a small stepper motor and can be controlled like any other stepper. The other files in the repo also show how to home the coupler (by driving it into the physical endstop while using a reduced current). It is pretty much all there you just need to take the time to study it.
As to wiring I'm pretty sure that a combination of the original e3d docs (still available here: https://e3d-online.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4402640504081-ToolChanger-Motion-System-Assembly-Guides) and the configuration files in David's repo should give you all you need.
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@gloomyandy Ahhhh.. Thanks... it is a normal stepper.. that is a bit surprising...I think that I got it.......Thanks for your patience with me...
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@Chriss the prototype E3D tool changers used a servo to lock/unlock tools, but it didn't last long enough, so E3D switched to using a small stepper motor. Your clone may be different.
