Manual, Robotic Tool Changer, QC-150
Document #9610-20-2256-02
Pinnacle Park • 1031 Goodworth Drive • Apex, NC 27539 USA • Tel: 919.772.0115 • Fax: 919.772.8259 • www.ati-ia.com • Email: [email protected]
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3.4 Tool Interface Plate
The end-effector typically attaches to the Tool plate with an interface plate. The interface plate is designed
with mounting features such as a recess and/or bolt and dowel holes. These features are used to position
and secure the customer tooling. An interface plate adapts the Tool plate to customer tooling that is not
compatible with the Tool plate mounting features. Custom interface plates can be supplied by ATI (see
for specific mounting features for your model.
If the customer chooses to design and build a tool interface plate, the following should be considered:
CAUTION:
Do not use more than two alignment features when securing a Tool plate
to an interface plate. Using more than two alignment features can cause damage to
equipment. Use either two dowel pins or a single dowel pin along with a boss/recess
feature to align the Tool plate with the interface plate.
CAUTION:
Do not use dowel pins that are too long that will not allow the interface
plate and Tool body to mate flush with each other. Using dowel pins that are too long
will cause a gap between the interface plate and the Tool body causing damage to the
equipment. Use the proper size dowel pins that will not extend further than allowed by
the Tool body.
Tool Plate
Interface Plate
Dowel pins which are
proper size allowing
interface plate and Tool
Plate to mount flush.
Two dowel pins (or a
boss/recess) being used as
alignment features.
Correct Mounting of Tool Plate
Tool Plate
Interface Plate
Dowel pins which
are too long and
cause a gap between
interface plate and Tool.
Boss and two dowel pins
as alignment features can be
difficult to align and can
cause damage to equipment.
Gap
Incorrect Mounting of Tool Plate
single dowel pin along with a
•
The interface plate must be designed to include bolt holes for mounting, dowel pins, and a boss that
mates with the Tool plate recess for positioning. (The dowel and boss features prevent rotation).
•
The locating boss height should not exceed the customer interface depth specified on the drawing.
•
The thickness of the interface plate must be sufficient to provide the necessary thread engagement for
the mounting bolts. Fasteners should meet minimum recommended engagement lengths while not
exceeding the maximum available thread depth. Use of bolts that are too long can cause damage to the
Tool Changer.
•
The plate design must account for clearances required for Tool Changer module attachments and
accessories.
•
The interface plate should be designed with a hole in its center to allow for manually returning the
locking mechanism to the unlocked position under adverse conditions (i.e. unintended loss of power
and/or air pressure). The center access hole should be kept small [minimum recommended hole
diameter: 1” (25.4 mm)] to prevent debris from contaminating the locking mechanism while operating
in dirty environments.
