XC ATC Interface PCB Kit

XC ATC Interface PCB Kit

Add a clearance axis to your DIY automatic tool changer.

The XC ATC Interface is our upgraded controller board for DIY automatic tool changers on M-series, Series 3 and DIY CNC machines running PathPilot. It includes all the circuitry of our Standard ATC Interface, plus dedicated circuits for a clearance axis. The clearance axis retracts the ATC out of the way while you machine and brings it back for tool changes. That gives your stored tools and carousel room to clear tall stock, vises, fixtures, RapidTurn setups and 4th-axis rotary tables.

It communicates natively within PathPilot 2.x, with no proprietary software to install. Installation is USB plug-and-play, and it supports both 3/4" TTS and BT30 configurations.

The XC uses the same four mounting-hole positions as our Standard ATC Interface. That makes it a straight swap with no new brackets and no re-drilling. Not ready for a clearance axis yet? Set the disable jumper and the XC runs as a Standard ATC Interface. When you’re ready to add the clearance axis later, the circuits are already on the board, so there’s no second board to buy.

What it does

• USB-to-TTL adapter: provides two-way communication between PathPilot and the ATC system through the USB port on your PC or controller.
• Pyboard v1.1: the brain of the ATC system. It takes commands from PathPilot and directs the interface PCB using the files stored on the microSD card. When each task is complete, it reports back to PathPilot.
• Interface PCB: the link between the Pyboard and all the electronics a working ATC needs. It switches the pneumatic solenoids, reads the proximity sensors, drives the carousel stepper, and reads the drawbar, air-pressure and clearance-axis inputs.

Clearance axis features

• 5th solenoid output for the clearance cylinder
• Clearance Enable (J17) and Clearance Status (J18) connections
• Input for a latching pushbutton, so you can raise and lower the axis by hand. PathPilot has no on-screen control for this axis.
• Driver for a lighted pushbutton status indicator. The LED uses set on, off and blink patterns to show normal operation, tool-change routines and diagnostics. The full pattern chart is in the installation instructions.
• 2 optoisolated inputs for clearance up/down position sensors
• Hardware jumper that fully disables the clearance feature

Standard ATC connections

• 4 pneumatic solenoid outputs: air blast, air cylinder, pneumatic power drawbar, and spindle brake (BT30). All use Darlington drivers with flyback protection.
• 24VDC system power input
• USB-to-TTL connections (RX/TX and 5VDC/GND)
• 1 optoisolated N/C low-air-pressure input
• 2 optoisolated power drawbar inputs, for a pedal or pushbutton
• 2 optoisolated N/O 24VDC NPN proximity sensor inputs, for carousel and home
• 1 optoisolated VFD zero-RPM input
• Step/direction/5V output for the carousel/tray stepper driver
• Separate grounds for noise isolation
• 5.0 mm screw terminals for easy wiring

Built and tested in the USA

This board is designed, built and tested in the USA. We assemble every board by hand. Before it ships, each one is function-tested on our in-house ATC machine simulator, a test stand we designed and built just for these boards. The simulator stands in for both PathPilot and the mill, so we can run full tool-change cycles on the bench without a machine. It works every solenoid output, sensor input and stepper signal, and checks the clearance-axis circuits too. Each board connects through a permanent test harness, so every board goes through the same test the same way.

What’s included

• XC ATC Interface PCB with Pyboard v1.1
• USB-to-TTL UART adapter with ribbon cable
• microSD card with preconfigured PathPilot ATC files (editable)
• Detailed, easy-to-follow instructions
• Color diagrams for point-to-point wiring
• Parts requirements list
• Read Me files explaining how to edit the ATC files

Required, not included: a microSD-to-USB card adapter

Compatibility

• Umbrella-style ATCs on Tormach M-series, Series 3 and DIY CNC machines running PathPilot 2.x, including the most current PathPilot release
• 3/4" TTS and BT30 tool configurations
• 8, 10 and 12-tool carousel configurations
• Direct replacement for our Standard ATC Interface, using the same mounting positions
• Can replace the OEM ATC board. This may require modifying how the PCB is mounted, along with minor changes to the wiring.
• Clearance actuator: pneumatic, single-coil spring-return 5-way valve with a double-acting cylinder

Check out a video of it in action on our Facebook DIY page

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1KJ61T36w5/

Join Our DIY for Tormach Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/groups/519747757633717/

Learn as I did with my build series on YouTube EP1-12

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am a hobbyist myself and truly wish to see you succeed in this journey and will do my best to help you succeed.

Product images for reference only actual part or system type may vary in shape, size, color, painted or not, hardware count and type.... just a disclaimer :)

Disclaimer: This is an independent aftermarket product. It is not made, sold, endorsed or supported by Tormach, Inc. Tormach, PathPilot, and Rapid Turn are trademarks of Tormach, Inc. and are used here only to describe compatibility. Installing this upgrade modifies your machine and may affect your manufacturer warranty. Install and operate at your own risk, and always follow safe machining practices