# Finally got around to doing ATC. Heavily modified the example script for my custom tool holders **URL:** \ **Category:** Build Logs\ **Created:** [January 20, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/finally-got-around-to-doing-atc-heavily-modified-the-example-script-for-my-custom-tool-holders/4270 "2025-01-20T17:44:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@andy](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/andy)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/finally-got-around-to-doing-atc-heavily-modified-the-example-script-for-my-custom-tool-holders/4270/1 "2025-01-20T17:44:56Z")
Created some custom 3d printed tool racks (bt30 tool holders). Wanted to not remove the dust shoe so only made 4 stations. However, if a tool is not in the holders (about tool 4) it will come to the front and ask me to load or unload the tool before moving on to the next operation. I also am currently doing a tool touch off with every change. While it would be faster to keep a library I find that it doesn’t take any noticeable amount of time (in my non-production world) and means that I can swap out tools any time as well as if a tool slips it will also be accounted for. Any feedback/suggestions welcome to improve. I still need to implement the pros sensor in the spindle to check if the tool was properly removed/captured. ![IMG_2375](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/5/59abe702073ebcb00c16c6091318dd72168089b0.jpeg) ![IMG_2376](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/2/2e8b0ee063d50b113641e015eb6610e5b3dc6753.jpeg) [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/0/0bd7836792bbf163ceb65a7f0669fdfc022d9d53.jpeg "January 20, 2025") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaOkUhoTIF8) Macro File [mfunc6.mac](https://forum.avidcnc.com/uploads/short-url/gjw0AZt4ti2G2MhRv8OINaEaPrR.mac) (3.6 KB) Tool Rack (BT30 ER32 Collet) > **[Fusion](https://myhub.autodesk360.com/ue2b9d351/g/shares/SH30dd5QT870c25f12fcd6362200912e1491)** > > Share 2D and 3D design files and project files with anyone. ---
**Author:** ![PaulC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9a140/32.png) [@PaulC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/PaulC)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 8:17pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/finally-got-around-to-doing-atc-heavily-modified-the-example-script-for-my-custom-tool-holders/4270/2 "2025-01-20T20:17:24Z")
I have seen tool holders like that made of two parts held together with magnets. The idea being that if you crash into them they break away instead of breaking :). ---
**Author:** ![andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@andy](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/andy)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 8:49pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/finally-got-around-to-doing-atc-heavily-modified-the-example-script-for-my-custom-tool-holders/4270/3 "2025-01-20T20:49:44Z")
That’s a great idea!! ---
**Author:** ![djdelorie](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/djdelorie/32/515_2.png) [@djdelorie](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/djdelorie)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 9:42pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/finally-got-around-to-doing-atc-heavily-modified-the-example-script-for-my-custom-tool-holders/4270/4 "2025-01-20T21:42:25Z")
> [@PaulC](#): > > The idea being that if you crash into them they break away instead of breaking They’re 3D printed. When they break, you just print more. ---
**Author:** ![corbin](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/corbin/32/2800_2.png) [@corbin](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/corbin)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 10:28pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/finally-got-around-to-doing-atc-heavily-modified-the-example-script-for-my-custom-tool-holders/4270/5 "2025-01-20T22:28:09Z")
Cool! I was thinking of doing a “hole” style like this with magnets on the bottom just so I could easily remove them from my CNC spoilboard to use the full table, but still have additional pockets for when I don’t! @andy are you using Mach 4 or Centroid? My Mach 4 ATC stuff also does what you said; prompts to put in a tool when it isn’t in the rack. Here it is to check out! [Avid CNC ATC (Automatic Tool Changer) with Mach 4 – Corbin's Treehouse](https://www.corbinstreehouse.com/blog/avid-cnc-atc-automatic-tool-changer-with-mach-4/) I have the same thing for Centroid now too. Corbin ---
**Author:** ![corbin](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/corbin/32/2800_2.png) [@corbin](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/corbin)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 10:29pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/finally-got-around-to-doing-atc-heavily-modified-the-example-script-for-my-custom-tool-holders/4270/6 "2025-01-20T22:29:32Z")
Edit: Looks like you are using Centroid! My setup stuff now has a video on how it all works: > [@Centroid CNC12 ATC Setup Video](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/centroid-cnc12-atc-setup-video/4269): > > Hi everyone! I did a video on how to setup your Automatic Tool Changer (ATC) spindle with Centroid CNC12 using the macros and software I wrote, which I’m finally putting out of beta. I focused on the software side how to set everything up from a basic profile. Hopefully this can help some people migrating from Mach 4 to Centroid with their CNC Depot S30C spindles (etc). [[CNC Build Ep 13: Setting up an ATC with Centroid CNC 12 and Avid CNC (Automatic Tool Changer Setup)] ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubGuQ4TON-M) My hardwar… Corbin ---
**Author:** ![andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@andy](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/andy)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/finally-got-around-to-doing-atc-heavily-modified-the-example-script-for-my-custom-tool-holders/4270/7 "2025-01-20T23:52:16Z")
Mine is Centroid. It’s a custom controller I made before avid offered them. I saw your setup. Much more refined than mine, nice work! ---
**Author:** ![corbin](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/corbin/32/2800_2.png) [@corbin](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/corbin)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 1:25am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/finally-got-around-to-doing-atc-heavily-modified-the-example-script-for-my-custom-tool-holders/4270/8 "2025-01-21T01:25:06Z")
Cool - have you added a Tool Touch Plate? They are super nice and now I can’t live without one. If you don’t have one, I bet Avid would sell you theirs, and you could plug it in and use my macros/code with it. Corbin ---
**Author:** ![andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@andy](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/andy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 1:40am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/finally-got-around-to-doing-atc-heavily-modified-the-example-script-for-my-custom-tool-holders/4270/9 "2025-01-21T01:40:05Z")
I use a tool touch touch off that is part of the macro, but I also own an avid touch plate that I might implement for additional uses (rare cases when I don’t use the spoil board as 0). I was just sifting through your stuff actually, very nice! I am definitely going to try and see about using some of your work to refine/replace some of mine. Thanks for sharing!! ---
**Author:** ![corbin](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/corbin/32/2800_2.png) [@corbin](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/corbin)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 1:43am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/finally-got-around-to-doing-atc-heavily-modified-the-example-script-for-my-custom-tool-holders/4270/10 "2025-01-21T01:43:25Z")
Cool, yeah, copy/take anything that is good! If you want to re-compile the C# source code you can download Visual Studio. It’s a bit confusing, but Avid has their “Touch Plate” and their “Tool Touch Plate” – the Touch Plate is the one they have had forever, but the Tool Touch Plate is a new thing they added for their Ex controllers that has a fixed and dedicated position somewhere. It sounds like you have one, so you are set! You could probably just change the defines.cnc macro I have to edit where yours is. EDIT: although, that may or may not work…as Avid doesn’t use my defines. Corbin ---
**Author:** ![andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@andy](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/andy)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 8:19am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/finally-got-around-to-doing-atc-heavily-modified-the-example-script-for-my-custom-tool-holders/4270/11 "2025-01-25T08:19:37Z")
[Fusion](https://a360.co/4gbclLR) Updated Tool Pockets to accommodate 1.5" tools (surfacing and large 90º V-Bit). Updated M6 macro – Added error handling using the proximity sensor in my ATC spindle. This accounts of any time the tool change doesn’t go as planned. Examples: A tool didn’t release from spindle (maybe low air pressure), or tool wasn’t captured by spindle (could have been missing from tool pocket), maybe a dummy operator (me) manually inserted a tool and forgot to remove it before starting an ATC program., etc… [mfunc6.mac](https://forum.avidcnc.com/uploads/short-url/fFwE74ofzKf8jMEGV224C6IR6XV.mac) (4.5 KB)