The Automated Tool-Changing Machine (ATCM) acts as an all-in-one manufacturing and prototyping device and is optimized for use in small-scale Research and Development applications or small, hobbyist-level workshops. This device seeks to combine several common prototyping devices, including 3D Printers and CNC Milling devices, to take up a much smaller overall footprint in the user’s workspace. The device will also allow users to combine manufacturing processes using the included software, in order to achieve the rapid prototyping capability of 3D printing alongside the accurate material removal of a CNC machine, in one setup procedure instead of several.

Design of the ATCM began with comparison against the state-of-the-art, as well as laying out precisely what the new product must accomplish in each member’s scope. Mechanically, I was responsible for the design of the frame, any modifications to the tool-end, as well as the method of physically changing between desired tools

The ATCM modifications were made in-house using the MSOE Machine Shop. Specific tools used were the horizontal bandsaw for rough length cuts, vertical mill for final precision material removal and bolt-hole creation, and tap to thread components for assembly

The intent of the ATCM is to use the same length of extrusion as the stock Ender 3, for ease of manufacture and commercialization, as well as to adhere to the same “image” as the base unit.

My responsibilities also included the assembly of all components onto the base 3D Printer, my own Ender 3 Pro.
The ATCM was designed with ease-of-assembly in mind, and uses many of the same components as a stock Ender printer to ensure the end user is familiar with them.

Several issues were encountered when assembling the first prototype, including the v-slot sliders ordered not fitting into the extrusion used to create the frame. The next iteration of this project will account for this by using v-slot extrusion, instead of the flat extrusion found within the MSOE Machine Shop.