23.1 Mill - Spindle C-Axis Drive

Install a tool into the spindle that allows a mag base to be attached and place the mag with an indicator to the tool.

Check that the plate is concentric with the spindle axis. Touch off the indicator on the inner rim of the plate, as shown. 

Check the runout of the plate  (NTE .002"). Use the set screws to adjust its position. A mallet may also be used to gently tap the high points on the sides of the plate.

Torque all of the bolts to 45 ft-lbs.

Remove the bolts closest and furthest from the operator and replace them with the provided bolts of longer length. 

Install the drive assembly:

Use the three aluminum stock blocks or the vice grip to prop up the drive on the table.

 NOTE: Some machines such as the VF-4 may need taller stock blocks (minimum of 6 inches) to reach the spindle to the drive. Check your machines Z-axis travel before aligning the spindle. 

Ensure that the drive assembly is properly centered on the blocks or vice grip.

Lower the Z-Axis into the center bore until M8 bolts have thread engagement and it is lowered to the lip.

Thread in the M8 bolts to draw in the drive assembly to the mounting plate.

Tighten the bolts until seated.

Jog the Z-axis upwards.

Torque the M8 mounting bolts to 25 ft-lbs.

Before performing a tool change, remove the chip guard [1] from the tool changer enclosure by removing the four button-head screws. Replace the screws after removing the guard, to prevent chips from escaping. 

Remove the two button head screws [1] on the cable bracket located at the back of the enclosure of the machine.

Jog the X-Axis all the way to the right, and Y-Axis all the way back. Jog the Z-Axis down to the bottom of travel.

Route the conduit through the back of the enclosure [1]. Ensure the cable has enough slack, the cable should not be taut.

Plug Rotary Power Plug cable into plug labelled 4th Axis Power [1].

Plug Rotary Encoder Plug cable into plug labelled 4th Axis Encoder [2].

Press [SETTING].

Navigate to the Rotary tab. Find setting MILL SPDL C-AX-P20 [1]. Press [ENTER] to set axis [2].  

Note: If the model does not appear, follow the instructions in 4 - Update Rotary Configuration Files - NGC_Rev_A. This procedure can be found in HBC.

Set Axis Configuration to Axis C by pressing [C] [1].

Set Physical Connection to 4th Axis by pressing [4] [2].

Set Rotary Relation to Independent by pressing [I] [3].

Set Location to Part by pressing [P] [4].

Press [C] + [ZERO RETURN] + [SINGLE] to enter the Zero Return page. Highlight each axis and press [F2] to zero it, until you reach the C-Axis. 

 Note: If this page does not appear, pull latest rotary paramters from HBC and try again. 

Handle jog the C-Axis and line up the center of the stopping block [1] with the notch closest to operator [2]. 

With the C-Axis highlighted [1], press [F2] [2] to zero return the C-Axis. 

 Note: If Alarm 165 Zero Return Margin is Too Small is generated, reset the alarm and proceed to the next step. 

Press [MDI] to exit the zero return page.

Press [SETTING]

Navigate to the Rotary tab. Highlight the 4th axis under Current Rotary Selections. Hit [ALTER] to set offsets. Select Set Grid Offset [1].

Press [C] + [ZERO RETURN] + [SINGLE] to enter the Zero Return page. Zero all axes. 

Highlight the C-Axis and press [HANDLE JOG]. Jog the C-Axis until the center of the stopping block [1] is realigned with the notch [2]. Press [F2] to zero return the C-Axis again. 

Jog to re-align C-Axis with the first notch again. This will be saved as the Tool Change Offset in the next step. 

Press [MDI] to exit the zero return page.

Press [SETTING]

Navigate to the Rotary tab. Select the 4th axis under Current Rotary Selections. Hit [ALTER] to set offsets. Select Set TC Offset [1].

Press [C] + [ZERO RETURN] + [SINGLE] to enter the Zero Return page. Zero all axes. 

Press [F2] to zero return the C-Axis again. 

 Note: To zero return the C-Axis by itself, use Home G28 or another method. [C] + [ZERO RETURN] + [SINGLE] should only be used to set the home position. 

Jog the tool until the C-Axis is at 0 and the tool is pointed to the right. 

Loosen the screws at the base of the tool [1] so that the tool can rotate independently of the spindle. 

 NOTE: The angle head tooling pin should be oriented in this position before executing a tool change.

Place an indicator on the table and so that the needle is zeroed on the flat side on the back of the tool [1].

Jog the X-axis and check the parallelism of the tool.

Use a mallet to gently tap the tool to adjust until within the tolerance of 0.0005". 

Tighten the screws to lock the angle head into position. 

Handle jog the C-Axis to +90.

Check the parallelism on the same flat spot on the tool.

Take note of the C-Axis position.

Press [DIAGNOSTIC] to open the Parameters, Diagnostics and Maintenance menu.

Navigate to the Parameters > Compensation > C tab. Navigate to the 90.000 position in the C Axis Lead Screw Compensation table [1]. Enter the C-Axis value. 

NOTE: Send the C-Axis to zero using G28 on the control.

Zero return C, then manually jog the C-Axis back to 90 and check the parallelism again.

If it is not within tolerance, note the position then add it to the existing compensation. Re-check the parallelism.

Repeat steps 2-4  for C-Axis positions at 180 and 270.