Good Afternoon,
I'm looking for some advice. A buddy of mine has purchased a used HAAS VF-1 (a couple of years old) and is now looking to add a full 4th axis. He has spotted a HAAS table on e-bay (complete with interface, motor, etc.) and is convinced he can simply install the unit in his machine and will be all set.
I think my friend is incorrect. I've been told that HAAS purposely leaves out the necessary logic in their controls that will enable a full 4th axis to function unless you purchase the unit through them.
Which one of us (if either) is correct?
Thanks.
There are a lot of good replies with good information that should help you out.
That said, the way you worded your thread title and original question create some questions and confusion for me.
This is purely semantics, but semantics are important to make sure you understand what you need and what you are looking to purchase is correct.
Adding full 4th Axis to a Haas Vertical Mill means that the rotary product is plugged in directly to the machine and machine controls all rotary functions.
Complete with interface, motor, etc is very confusing because interface means you have a seperate controller box for the rotary (this is NOT full 4th Axis) motor, etc is very vague. The rotary product is a complet unit that includes a motor and etc items. Not trying to be a jerk, but this is confusing and like I said, semantics are important here.
To review, if you want a 2 year old machine to run a used rotary table for FULL 4TH AXIS, first you need to determine if the rotary product is BRUSH or BRUSHLESS; this is critical!!!!
Once you know if it is brush or brushless, you need to determine if the machine is set up for it. If there is no connection on the side of the machine cabinet to connect the rotary to, you need to call your dealer and they will set you up with the correct parts that you need to order. You may have to purchase the unlock code but behindpropellers obviously had a different experience.
If the machine does have connection(s) for a rotary table on the side of the cabinet then you again need to determine if you have the right connections for Brush or Brushless. 1 plug connector is for a BRUSH rotary, 2 connectors is for a BRUSHLESS.
A note to anyone looking at the drive cards, just because the machine uses a BRUSHLESS drive card does NOT mean the machine is set up for a BRUSHLESS rotary. A brush rotary setup can include a brushless drive and other parts to run. Look at the connectors to determine what you have.
I hope this helps.
And to answer your question about who is right...... it depends! (crappy answer huh?)
