QUICK MANUAL OF INITIATION

VMC VERTICAL SPINDLE

MSc. Ing. Luis Fernando Vargas Tamayo

lfvargast@profesores.com
2010-1

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 CONTENTS

Module 1 - Main Components of a CNC Mill

Module 2 - Tutorial
Module 2.1 - Turn on the machine
Module 2.2 - Load your tools
Module 2.3 - Locate your workpiece
Module 2.4 - Set the tool offsets
Module 2.5 - Load your NC program
Module 2.6 - Run your NC program
Module 2.7 - Turn off the machine
Module 3 - tool setup
Module 3.1 - Components for tool setup
Module 3.2 - Assembly of components

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 Module 1 - Main Components of a CNC Mill

The primary components are described in this section. The descriptions are based on a
HAAS VFO 3-axis vertical milling machine, which is similar but not exactly like the
machines located in the laboratory.

Once you have completed reading Module 1, take the time to visit the lab and walk
around the machine to get a better perspective. As you will see, we do not cover
everything, so please refer to the equipment manual to read more.

Topics
Coolant Tray
Cleaning
Front Doors
Rear view
Main power switch
Tool library
Spindle
Tool release
Removing chips
Clearing debris

The coolant tray rolls under the left side of this particular machine. The pump delivers
coolant (a tan liquid) to the coolant nozzles and the hose used to clean the machine. This
pump can be turned on manually at the controller keypad, or can be turned on
automatically in your NC program.

Note the two hoses coming out of the pump on this machine. Each hose has a separate
shutoff valve. One hose sends coolant to the nozzles at the spindle. The other hose sends
coolant to the cleaning hose. For the coolant nozzles by the spindle, there are additional
shutoff valves. Coolant is reused after it is sprayed onto the tool or out of the hose.

Remember, don't use a hose from another machine to clean yours (or vice versa) since
you will be emptying one coolant tray and overfilling another one. This will not be a fun
mess to clean up!

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 Hose Nozzle

Okay, this part is pretty simple. You guessed it...a hose

nozzle. Keeping the inside of the machine clean is very
important so this hose can be used to spray the inside
of the machine with the same coolant you use for
machining. The inside of the machine should only be
cleaned with coolant since other cleaners can destroy
the coolant or damage parts of the machine. (NOTE: Do
not spray the tool carousel since you could damage it.)

Front Doors

Here is a view through the front doors

of the machine. The doors have
sensors in them that will not allow a
program to start if they are not closed.

Rear view

Here is a view from the back of the

machine.

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 Main power switch

The main power switch is located in the

upper right area on the back of the
machine.

Tool library

The tool library is a numbered tool

carousel located inside the machine.
It rotates and loads the particular tool
you select in your NC program.

Spindle

Here is a view of the spindle with a tool

loaded in it. On the upper right you can see
a blue flexible coolant line that can be
aimed at the tool in order to spray coolant.
The orange valve is used to turn it on or off.

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 Spindle

Above the spindle and to the

right is a button marked "TOOL
RELEASE". In order to remove a
tool, first grab the tool by its
holder, and THEN push the tool
release button. You'll hear a rush
of air and the tool will be
released. NOTE: If you are not
holding the tool holder when
you push the tool release button,
the tool will fall to the table and
will most likely be damaged, or
hurt you.

Auger

Inside this machine is an auger, which is used to

remove the chips from the inside of the machine.

Chips are carried into a waste bucket through the

chute on the left side.

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Air Gun
There is an air gun
hanging on the
front of the
machine. You'll
need this to blow
away any chips or
coolant from your
vise so that your
stock material is
fixtured properly. It
is also useful for clearing debris from the part after it is finished, and is used during
cleanup.

Control Panel

This is the controller for the machine and is the most complicated part of the machine.
From here you can load programs, write programs, turn coolant on and off, jog the
machine tool and table and change parameters for the machine.

We'll make it easier on you by going over each part of the controller.
Topics
Turning on the power
Spindle load meter
Emergency Stop
Jog handle
Remote jog handle
Cycle Start and Feed
Hold
Setup Menu
Auger, Coolant, and
Jogging
Override Keypad
Display Keypad
Cursor Keypad
Alphabetic Keypad
Mode Keypad
Numeric Keypad
Light Switch
User Manual

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 Power Switches

Okay, this is an easy one. But before the

power will come on you'll need to flip the
main switch on the back of the machine
and maybe even the breaker box to the
machine itself.

Spindle Load Meter

This meter tells you the load on the spindle

when it is running. It is not uncommon to see
the needle go briefly into the yellow or red
areas, especially when the spindle just starts up
or changes rpm.
If the spindle load becomes too high during
machining, you might need to make some
changes. Refer to the manual for the machine
to see what to do when spindle loads get too high.

Emergency Stop Button

Either you or your partner should be within arm's

reach of the Emergency Stop when running the
machine.

This one is self-explanatory. Be ready to hit this

button if something seriously goes wrong.

We also use it before powering down the machine, so

you'll most likely have to twist and reset it when you power up the machine.

If you just need to stop the movement of the axes of the machine, we usually just hit the
"Feed Hold" button. However, the "Feed Hold" button does NOT stop the spindle from
spinning so you can still have a problem or get hurt.

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 Jog handle
This is the JOG HANDLE for the 3,4, or 5 axes of your
machine. In the jog mode you can turn this knob to move
the axes. As you can see, the knob has 100 "notches"
around it. For each "click" the axis will move the amount
you specify on the keypad beside the "Handle Jog"
button. (0.1", 0.01", 0.001", or 0.0001"). There is a similar
jog handle on the optional remote jog controller that is
hanging on the left side of the controller.

Remote jog handle

On some machines, there may be a remote jog

handle that can be more convenient to use. It
will most likely be hanging on the side of the
controller. It has buttons and knobs to select
the axis you want to jog, and even has a cycle
start and feed hold button. These functions will
be explained later.

Cycle Start and Feed Hold buttons

Before pushing Cycle Start, you must ALWAYS

make sure all foreign objects and more
importantly, PEOPLE are clear from the spindle
and the doors are closed.

Cycle Start and Feed Hold are two very important

buttons, and you'll probably have one finger on each when running your first programs.
Cycle Start starts your program running as long as you have no errors and the doors are
closed.

The Feed Hold button will stop the motion of all the axes but will allow the spindle to keep
spinning. When you run a new and untested program, keep a finger on the feed hold
button so that you have at least a chance of stopping the tool from colliding with
anything.

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You can simply hit Cycle Start again to keep moving, if everything looks okay. Before
pushing cycle start for the first time, you will need to review and verify your entire
program. You should also decrease the feed, speed, and rapid travel for a new untested
program.

Setup Keypad

We'll focus on only a few of these

buttons.

The RESET button is used during power up

and other times to clear warnings from
the screen or to restart a program.

The POWER UP/ RESTART button is used

every time when we power up the
machine.

The TOOL OFSET MESUR and PART ZERO SET buttons we will use to set our tools and to
setup our work coordinates, respectively. To find out more about the other buttons, refer
to the HAAS manual.
Auger, Coolant, and Jogging Keypad

These buttons are used to manually

control the chip auger, the optional
programmable coolant nozzle, and
the spindle location.
You can use the 9 jog buttons in the
center to move the spindle along
the axes of the machine. If you push
a button once, the spindle will move
along that axis based on the Jog
Handle value. If you push and hold
one of the buttons, that axis will move at a rate based on the amount you choose beside
the HANDLE JOG button (0.1", 0.01", 0.001", or 0.0001").

If the JOG LOCK key is pressed before a key for an axis, that axis will move continuously
without holding the button. Pushing the JOG LOCK button again will stop the motion. Note
how there are both + and - directional buttons for each axis. Be careful if you use JOG
LOCK, because the machine will just continue to move the table until it reaches its limits.

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 Override Keypad
These are the OVERRIDE buttons, which
are very important, especially when
running a new program.

For example, if you are running new

program, you might want to bring all your
feeds, speeds and rapid travels down to a
very slow pace so that you can stop any
collisions or breakage by using the FEED
HOLD or the E-STOP.

Most important, you will want to bring your RAPID travel speed down to probably 5% for
the first run. There are also buttons for turning the spindle on or off manually (CW, STOP,
OR CCW). If for example, you hit FEED HOLD, you could then stop the spindle with the
STOP button. Before hitting CYCLE START again, you would need to hit CW again to start
the spindle.

Display Keypad
Under the display window we'll look
at a few important buttons. The
OFSET button will display tool
offsets and work coordinates.

If you push the PAGE UP/DOWN

buttons, you will scroll through all of
the offset screens.

In order to run a program, you will first hit the MEM button (under misc. keys, explained
later) then you will hit the CURNT COMDS button shown above. You may need to hit the
ALARM MESGS button if you get an alarm warning on the screen and want to know what
happened.

Pushing the RESET button will clear any alarms that have been resolved.

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 Cursor Keypad

Use the cursor pad to navigate around the

display. Push the arrows to move through your
NC code.

When running a program, you can push the up

or down arrows to change the list of
coordinates in the upper right of the screen. In
other words, you can track where the tool is or
how far it has to go for each line of code.

The PAGE UP/DOWN buttons are used just like on a keyboard to quickly scroll through
your program. HOME and END are used to go to the beginning or end of your program.

Alphabetic Keypad

You can use the alphabetic keypad to

write your NC code.

Mode Keypad

This keypad has a lot of functions, so

we'll examine each row. There are 6
rows of keys. Pushing the key on the far
left activates each row. For example, if
you want to turn the coolant on, you
need to push MDI/DNC (row 3) to put
the controller in the right mode and
then push the COOLNT button to turn it
on. If you push a button before hitting
the mode key, the message - WRONG
MODE - will appear on the display.
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Row 1 - EDIT
In this mode you can edit an NC program, either under the current commands window, or
if you are writing code manually under the MDI mode. The cursor will highlight one piece
of code on the screen. If you want to insert code before something on the display type it
in and push INSERT. This will insert your code before the highlighted code. If you want to
change it, just type in the new code and hit ALTER, which will replace what was
highlighted. DELETE will remove the highlighted code. UNDO is self-explanatory.

Row 2 - MEM
Pushing MEM will bring your current program up in memory. Following with a push of the
CURNT COMDS button will set up the controller for you to hit CYCLE START. If you don't go
into MEM mode and then hit the CURNT COMDS button, hitting CYCLE START will do
nothing. The only button you should likely use is SINGLE BLOCK. Pushing this button
before running a program will step through the program one line at a time and pause after
each line. You have to continue to push CYCLE START to step through your program. This is
good if you are running some untested code and you are unsure if it will run correctly.

Row 3 - MDI/DNC
Pushing the MDI/DNC button toggle
between two modes, manual data input
(MDI) and direct numerical control (DNC).
We will only talk about MDI since you will
usually use this mode. The MDI mode
opens up a scratch pad. Use the pad to to
write simple lines of NC code that will be
executed by pushing CYCLE START. As an
example, you may want to retrieve a
particular tool. You can push the mode
button once and type T6 MO6 [enter].

This line of code will appear on the upper left. With the doors closed, pushing CYCLE
START will initiate a tool change and retrieve tool number 6. Another example is if you
need to spin an edge finder. You would type S1000 MO3 [enter]. This would start the
spindle spinning at 1000 rpm in a CW rotation. Other common buttons you might push are
the COOLNT, ATC FWD, and ATC REV buttons. The COOLNT button turns the coolant on
and off. The ATC FWD and REV buttons automatically initiate a tool change to the next or
previous tool in the carousel. WARNING: a tool change will automatically start when you
press these buttons; EVEN IF THE DOOR is open. Be sure that people are clear from the
machine before pushing either of these buttons.

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Row 4 - HANDLE JOG
Use this mode to manually move the 3, 4, or 5 axes of the machine. The increments
written on the buttons in this row tell you how far the axis will move with each click of the
handle jog wheel. This mode also allows you to push the buttons around the JOG LOCK
button to move the axes. This was explained above.
Row 5 - ZERO RET
This mode is typically used before powering down. When you push the HOME G28 button
in this mode, each axis will move to the home position rapidly. Again, be sure nobody is in
the way and all loose fixtures, tools, etc. are not going to collide when the axes home
themselves. It is good practice to home the axes before powering down the machine.
Row 6 - LIST PROG
This mode brings up all programs in the memory of the controller. Pushing SELECT PROG
will load the currently highlighted program.

Numeric Keypad
Use this keypad along with the alphabetic keypad to
write programs or to enter values in the offset pages.
CANCEL is used to backspace when manually typing
code. The WRITE/ENTER button inserts your code on
the scratch pad or enters your changes into the work or
tool offsets. For example, if you used a 0.003" sheet of
paper to set a tool against the face of your stock, you
would type in " - 0.003" [enter] and 0.003 will be
subtracted from the highlighted coordinate for the
offset. (If you need to add to the highlighted offset, just
type in the additional amount and hit [enter] since there
is no "+" button.)

Light Switch

On the side of the controller is a switch to turn the interior

light on.

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 User Manual

A very important part of

understanding the operation of any
machine is of course, the USER
MANUAL. Since we are not going to
cover everything you need to know
about CNC machines, you may want
to review the topics in the manual.
This is also a great reference for
problem solving when running the
machine.

Module 2 Tutorial

Note: You must thoroughly read Module 1 in order to follow the directions in this module.
This module will show you the basics of running a CNC machine. However, we will not go
into detail about every aspect of the process. We will assume that you have had some
instruction on writing NC code and how a milling machine works. You may need to refer to
Module 1 or the HAAS manual as references.
One final note - these are very expensive and potentially dangerous machines so...
When in doubt, ASK FOR HELP!

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Module 2.1 - Turn on the machine

1. Emergency Stop Button

Make sure that the Emergency Stop Button is

pushed in! This is very important for your safety
since it will avoid any sudden movement of the
machine mechanisms during start up.

2. Rear Power Switch

Turn the power switch on the back of the machine

to the "ON" position.

3. Power Switch

Push the green Power ON button and

wait for the controller to start up.

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 Initial Screen

The first screen should look like this and it will take a
few seconds to appear.

Startup Screen

Once the controller has started up, this screen

will appear. It indicates that the servos are off
and the Emergency Stop button is engaged.
(Which should have been done at the last power
down.)

4. Emergency Power Switch

Now that the machine controller is on, you can

safely turn off the Emergency Stop by twisting it
CW until it pops out.

5. Reset Button

You will need to push RESET for

each alarm on the screen.

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 Reset Button

The screen should

now have the
message "NO
ALARM".

6. Power Up Button

Make sure the doors are closed and

push the POWER UP/RESTART
button and wait until all the axes
have gone to their home
coordinates.

Current Commands View

Finally, the screen should look

like this, after it is done taking
all the axes to their home
positions. This is the CURRENT
COMMANDS view.

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Module 2.2 - Load your tools
Refer to the appendix for an explanation on how to mount your tools into the tool
holders. Once you have mounted your tools, you are ready to load them into the tool
carousel.

1. MDI Button

Press the MDI button on the Mode Keypad to enter the MDI mode.

2. Command for retrieving Tool #2

(using the MDI scratch pad view)

Enter code to load the tool under the tool

number you have chosen or push ATC/FWD
or ATC/REV until the carousel has rotated to
the tool number you want to load. (At this
point, if there were any tools in the carousel
at the location you chose, you'll need to
remove them using the tool release button while grasping the tool by its holder) Read
the next portion to understand how to remove a tool.

WARNING (You need to make sure that all other NC code is deleted from the scratch
pad so that the only code that will be executed is for loading a tool!)

3. Spindle Tabs

You'll notice that there are two metal tabs on the

spindle and there are two slots on the tool holder at
the bottom of the taper that must be aligned.

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 Tool Holder

Note that the tool

holder has one unique
orientation. You will
notice a small tapered
hole or indentation. This
slot must be facing the
tool carousel when you
load the tool.

4. Orient Spindle Button

You need to make sure that the spindle is in the right orientation before you insert the
tool. Enter the MDI mode and push the ORIENT SPINDLE button. This will cause the
spindle to move to the correct orientation and apply the brakes to hold the spindle
steady.

5. Alignment of the tool holder

The tool holder needs to be aligned as shown.

This is the side facing AWAY from the tool
carousel, so you'll notice that there is no
indentation inside the slot on this side.

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6. Left hand holding the tool holder

With your left hand, grasp the tool you want

to load (BELOW THE TWO RINGS ON THE
TOOL HOLDER OR YOUR FINGERS/HAND
COULD GET PINCHED) and guide it into the
spindle, aligning the tabs with the slots.

Right hand on the tool release

With your right hand, press the TOOL RELEASE

button. You will hear a rush of air against the top
of the tool holder. Once you have the tabs and
slots aligned, release the TOOL RELEASE button
and your tool will be "sucked" up into place.

7. If you have more tools to load, enter the code to load the next tool, or press ATC/FWD
or REV to the next location.

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Module 2.3 - Locate your workpiece

You need to determine the location and orientation of your workpiece with repect to the
machine coordinate system. To accomplish this, you will need to load the edge finder tool
into the spindle.

1. Edge Finder Tool

Pushing the edge finder tip to one

side so that it will wobble when it
is spinning.

2. Set spindle speed

Enter the MDI mode and enter S1000

MO3 to begin CW rotation of the edge
finder.
WARNING (You need to make sure that
all other NC code is deleted from the
scratch pad so that the only code that will be executed is spinning the edge finder!)

3. Cycle Start Button

Close the doors and push CYCLE START to start the

spindle.

4. At this point, you can open the doors and the edge finder will keep spinning but at a

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 slower speed. From now on, you can just start and stop the spindle by pushing either
STOP or CW on the OVERRIDES keypad. From this point on, you will most likely be
working with the doors open so that you can see the edge finder clearly. However,
you can keep the doors closed if you can see the workpiece area clearly. (This will
often depend on how clean the front windows are!) You will need to be very careful
to keep all body parts and clothing clear of the spindle. Even though an edge finder
does not have cutting surfaces, you could be tangled in the spindle.

5. Handle job button

Touch the sides of your stock (vice, etc.) with the edge finder corresponding to the X
or Y zero by using the HANDLE JOG mode to move the axes. NOTE: You should not
use the 0.1" increment when edge finding. This allows the axes to move very quickly
and you could get injured or damage the edge finder.

6. Approaching the surface

As you approach the workpiece, you will
need to use smaller and smaller increments
on the HANDLE JOG buttons, in order to
precisely contact the side of the workpiece.
Good practice is to jog the edge finder to
about " from the workpiece face, then
begin to slowly jog at either 0.001" or
0.0001" increments as you approach the
face of the workpiece.

7. OFSET Button
After the edge finder has stopped
wobbling, continue to jog the edge
finder at 0.0001" until it JUST pops off
center.(This may take a little practice).
Once you have successfully positioned
the edge finder, push the OFSET button
and then page UP/DOWN until you find
the screen "WORK ZERO OFFSET".

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8. Store the location

With G54 (G55, G56, etc.) highlighted under

either X or Y, depending on which surface
you are touching, push the PART ZERO SET
button. This will enter the location for that
work coordinate (X or Y). The cursor will
automatically move to the next offset to the
right, but you need to move the cursor back
to the one you just entered.

Work OffSet View

(X-offset coordinate is highlighted)

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9. Compensate for the edge finder

What you just stored in the offset is the location of the EDGE of the edge finder, not
the center of the spindle. You need to add or subtract (depending on the direction
the spindle is traveling when you touched the surface) the radius of the edge finder
tool.
Most of the edge finders will have a radius of 0.1". EXAMPLE: If you are touching the
front face of your stock (the side facing you) and you want to set the Y-OFFSET, then
you need to ADD 0.1" to the number that was entered when you pushed the PART
ZERO SET button. As shown in the lower left corner of the display, 0.1" will be
subtracted from the x-offset coordinate.

10. Stop the spindle

Jog the edge finder away from the face

and push STOP on the Overrides keypad
to stop the spindle rotation.

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11. Start the spindle

Return to step 1 and set the remaining

offset (X or Y). (In order to get the
spindle rotating again after pushing the
edge finder with your finger, you can
simply push the CW button with the
doors open and it will begin to spin
again)

Module 2.4 - Set the tool offsets

You need to determine the offsets for the tools you are using in the tool library.

1. Select the tool by commanding a tool change in MDI mode by either writing code or
pressing ATC/FWD or ATC/REV to load the first tool into the spindle.

2. End Mill in the -z direction

close to the top of the vise

Slowly jog the tool in the Z-Direction

and stop when you get close to the top
of the stock or the vise, or wherever
you have programmed the z-zero
coordinate location for your part.
(CAUTION: DO NOT have the spindle
rotating while setting tool offsets!)

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3. Contact with the surface

Switch to 0.001" or 0.0001" increment

and place a slip of paper between the tip
of the tool and the surface you are
setting for the z-zero. The next step takes
some eye-hand coordination and very
small increments when jogging. You will
now move the tool tip in the Z-direction
while constantly sliding the paper back
and forth on the face. You want to stop
jogging the tip down when you just feel
the tip "grabbing" the paper.

4. At this point you know that the tool tip is offset from the surface by the thickness of
your sheet of paper.

5. Handle job button

Press the OFSET button and page up

or down to the tool offsets page.

6. Store the tool offset

Highlight the tool number you are

setting and press the TOOL OFSET
MEASURE button. You will see a
new number appear in the column
"GEOMETRY". With the number
highlighted, type in " - 0.003" and
hit ENTER. The number will
decrement by that amount.

27
 This is the same thing we did when we subtracted the radius of the edge finder.
(0.003" is an approximate thickness of a sheet of paper, but you may want to measure
it to be sure).

7. Move up in the Z direction

Jog the tool in the POSITIVE z-

direction away from the face to
move on to the next tool.
(NOTE: If you accidentally jog in
the negative z direction, you will
very quickly break the tool. If
you want to avoid this DO NOT
USE THE JOG HANDLE to move
the tool up. Simply push and
hold the "+Z" arrow above the
JOG LOCK button and the tool
will safely move up from the surface (or just press the ATC FORWARD button while in
the MDI mode. If the spindle is down it will automatically go up to the tool change
position height).

Module 2.5 - Load your NC program

Loading a program is quite simple. For now, we will focus on loading programs from the
memory of the controller and from a floppy disk.

1. List of Programs

If you already know that a program is in memory, you can simply push LIST PROG on
the Mode keypad to display the list of programs stored in the controller.

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 List of Programs

A list of numbered programs

appears on the display. You'll
notice an asterisk beside the
program we have highligted.
You can move the asterisk by
pushing ENTER when your
desired program is highlighted.

2. Select your program

Select your program by pushing the SELECT PROG button.

3. Display your program

Press the MEM mode and then the CURNT COMDS button. The program is now
displayed on the screen.

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 Program Statements

4. If your program is on a computer, you can load it over a network connection. Enter the
EDIT mode and the display will appear as shown below.
Loading from a computer

Enter the Edit Mode

In the upper right corner you will see

a message "F1 key turns menu
on/off." Push the F1 key.

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 I/O Menu

Use the cursor keys to move

over to the I/O menu. This
menu lists the places you can
look for your NC programs.

Use the cursor keys to select the "Floppy Directory" to list the programs on a disk drive
on the computer. As described previously, you can press ENTER when youre desired
program is highlighted, and then push SELECT PROG to bring it into memory.

Module 2.6 - Run your NC program

Before actually running your program on the machine you should first test it using the
graphic simulator.

1. MEM button

Enter the MEM mode using the Mode keypad.

2. Setng Graph button

Press the SETNG GRAPH button twice to display the graphic simulation screen.

31
3. Start the simulation

Now, you can push the CYCLE START button to start

the simulation. (If there are any errors in your code,
they will come up during the simulation.)
The graphics simulator will just tell you if you have
any errors in your code, but it will NOT tell you if
you set your work or tool offsets incorrectly.
Therefore, you might still crash a tool, etc.)

4. Run your program

After you have resolved all your errors in the graphics simulator, and all other steps are
complete, you should be ready to run.

Enter the MEM mode and push

CURRENT COMMANDS.

If this is the first run of an untested program, you need to reduce your feeds and
speeds (together, so that your machining conditions aren't affected too much) and the
speed of rapid travel. Why? Rapid travel moves very quickly bring the tool close to the
point where it will begin to cut. If you made any mistakes in either programming or
setting your tool or work coordinate offsets, the tool may crash. If the rapid travel is
moving slowly enough, you may have a chance to push FEED HOLD and avoid a
collision.

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 Reduce your speeds

Under the overrides menu, you can

select slower feeds, speeds and rapid
travel. It is strongly recommended
that you use 5% RAPID for initial
runs! The overrides menu allows you
to decrement the speeds and feeds at
10% intervals and you can set the
rapid travel to 5%, 25%, or 50%.

Start the program

In this view on the current

commands display, the override
amounts are shown in the
highlighted region. You'll also
notice that we set the Single
Block setting on, so that we can
slowly step through the program
line by line.

5. Start the program

Okay, you should be all ready to cut some

metal! Push Cycle Start and your program will
run. If you set single block on, you will need to
repeatedly push Cycle Start after each line is
run. Remember from before that it is a really
good idea to keep on finger near the FEED
HOLD button while testing a program, so you'll
have a chance to react to any problems.
If there are any errors in your program, and alarm message will appear and the
program will stop. You can view the error message and then go to the EDIT mode to
make changes. We will not cover the numerous problems you might encounter. Refer
to the user manual or your NC text, or your instructor for help.

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Module 2.7 - Turn off the machine
Just like every other operation, properly powering down is important. BUT IT IS JUST AS
IMPORTANT TO HAVE A CLEAN MACHINE! So, CLEAN YOUR MACHINE BEFORE POWERING
DOWN! (Ask a technician for the proper procedure.)

1. Home the machine

First, close the doors and enter the

ZERO RET mode and push
HOME/G28 to move the axes back
to their home position.

2. Emergency Stop button

Push in the Emergency Stop button.

3. Power off the controller

Push the POWER OFF button.

4. Power off the machine

Turn the MAIN POWER SWITCH in back to the OFF

position.

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 Module 3 - tool setup
Module 3.1 - Components for tool setup

Before you can use a tool and place it in the tool library, it must be assembled
securely in a tool holder.
Topics
Tool holder
Nut
Collet
Tool

Tool holder

The tool holder is the interface with the

spindle.

Nut

The tool holder nut is used to tighten the tool in the

tool holder.

Collet

The collet acts as a clamp that tightens around the surface of the toll
when the nut is tightened during assembly. It is tapered to mate with the
inside surface of the tool holder.

Cutting tool
The cutting tool is inserted in the collet during
the assembly process. The depth of insertion is
variable.

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Module 3.2 - Assembly of components
Loading your tools properly in the collets and tool holders is a critical step in setting up the
machine and should be done carefully to reduce the risk of breaking a tool and/or getting
injured.

1. Begin by choosing a collet matching the diameter of your tool such that the shank of
the tool easily slides into the hole.

2. Collet and nut assembly

The collet and nut need to be

assembled before mounting to the
tool holder.

3. Inserting the collet

You will see that there is a small groove on the thicker

end of the collet. This groove must be snapped into the
nut before mounting to the tool holder. To do this,
push the collet into the back of the nut at a slight angle,
then twist it and align it with the axis of the nut until
you hear it "click" into place. As such, it should rotate
freely inside the nut.

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4. Checking for clearance

At this point it is a good idea to check to see

that your tool easily slides into the hole in the
collet. If not, you might have the wrong collet,
or you did not properly snap it into place.

5. Insert tool holder

Place the tool holder into the fixture. You need to

align the slots in the tool holder with the tabs in the
fixture. Also, the tool holder will only go into the
fixture in one orientation. The slots are slightly
different in width, as are the tabs on the fixture. You
can easily figure out the orientation, by facing the
slot with the small tapered hole inside it toward
you.

Align tool holder

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6. Place collet and nut

Now you can take the collet and nut and slightly screw
it onto the tool holder. (You may need to do this
sideways in order to keep the collet from falling back
out of the nut, and then put the assembled tool holder
back in the fixture.)

Tighten slightly

7. Insert tool

Place the tool shank into the collet. (If it seems too tight,
you may have screwed the nut on too much). You'll need
to hold the tool with the shank in the collet at a proper
depth, while hand-tightening the nut.

8. Finally, use a wrench and tighten the nut down. This needs to be tight, but you can
damage the collet if you over-tighten.

38